Dagoba

Dagoba (Sanscrit, da, datu, or dhatu, an osseous relic, and geba, or garbha, the womb) is a conical structure surmounting relics among the Buddhists. These buildings are sometimes of immense height, of circular form, and composed of stone or brick, faced with stone or stucco. They are built upon a platform, which again rests upon a natural or artificial elevation, and is usually reached by a flight of steps. Of the relics preserved in them, the most conspicuous objects are generally vessels of stone or metal. They commonly contain a silver box or casket, and within that, or sometimes by itself, a casket of gold. Within these vessels, or sometimes in the cell in which they are placed, are found small pearls, gold buttons, gold ornaments and rings, beads, pieces of white and colored glass and crystal, pieces of clay or stone with impressions of figures, bits of bone and teeth of animals, pieces of cloth, and bits of bark. The dagobas are held in the utmost respect by the Buddhists, on account of the relics in them. See Gardner, Faiths of the World, s.v.; Wilson, Ariana Antiqua; Hardy, Eastern Monachism, page 217 sq.