---
title: "Stupa — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "A stupa is a dome-shaped Buddhist monument housing relics, built for circumambulation and veneration. Key to Unit 8 and the Great Stupa at Sanchi on the AP exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-art-history/key-terms/stupa"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Art History"
---

# Stupa — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

A stupa is a Buddhist monument that serves as a place for meditation and veneration. It typically consists of a dome-shaped structure containing relics or sacred objects associated with Buddha or other revered figures.

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Pagoda](/ap-art-history/key-terms/pagoda): A multi-tiered tower-like structure found in East Asian countries that serves as a religious building.
- Bodhisattva: In Buddhism, an enlightened being who compassionately postpones their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation.
- Mandala: Intricate geometric designs used in Buddhist art to represent the universe and aid in meditation.