Tsatsa in the Form of a Stupa

Description

Tsatsas are offerings that are common in the Buddhist environment and can still be found today. They are made of clay, and the ashes of Buddhist teachers or saints are often added to them. They can have different shapes. They often depict the Buddha or other venerable role models. Another common form is the depiction of different stupas, as in this object. Their production with the help of forms is a ritual or an action meditation, during which mantras are usually recited. This is intended to help in the attainment of Buddhahood. After being made, tsatsas are placed in special places, such as stupas or sacred places in nature.

This object, along with around 100,000 other tsatsas, was placed in the foundation of the central stupa of the Great Hall as a building offering. Like most tsatsas found in Karakorum, this one is unfired, which is why the shape is only faintly recognizable. However, the steps of an implied stepped temple are clearly recognizable.

3D Visualisation

3D Model: H. Rohland / DAI

Images: J. Seifert / HTWD

Literature

Hüttel, H.-G. (2005) ‘Tsha-tshas’, in Dschingis Khan und seine Erben: Das Weltreich der Mongolen. München: Hirmer, p. 165.