Portable shrine Tashigomba (54cm high x 23cm wide x 22cm deep)

This is a portable shrine from Bhutan. It was made in the 19th century from wood and clay.

The portable shrine with doors closed

The shrine with doors open

It was used by gomchen (travelling monks) who carried it from village to village, using it to explain Buddhist teachings. These teachings had been written down but not everyone could read, so monks used the shrines to help tell religious stories. The shrine has lots of little doors that the monks would open to help explain their tales.

This particular shrine is in the form of a stupa. A stupa is an architectural representation of the Buddha meditating while sitting on a lion's throne. Each part of the stupa also has a symbolic meaning, for example:

the moon represents the end of all suffering
the sun symbolises a thousand lights of compassion
the jewel at the top represents fulfilling your wishes (missing on this example)
the lion throne represents power over the universe
the harmika represents the eight-fold path to enlightenment (see historical Buddha).

Stupas are often the size of buildings - this is a miniature version. They were built after the historical Buddha died to mark the great deeds he performed and to hold his relics. They are said to promote peace, a long life, good health and harmony.

The different parts of a stupa

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