Seven-Storey Pagoda: Randeng Pagoda

A Chinese saying goes, “Saving one life is worth more than building a seven-storey pagoda.” Here, *futu* means a Buddhist pagoda. The Sanskrit word *stūpa* is commonly rendered in Chinese as *sudubo* (窣堵波). These towers were originally built to enshrine the Buddha's relics, scriptures or the remains of respected monks.

In our Saha world, we now follow Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings. Countless Buddhas appeared in the distant past, and are known as ancient Buddhas. Dipankara, the Lamp-Lighting Buddha, is one of the Buddhas of the past in Buddhist tradition. A lamp lights the way ahead and brings light to the night. In Buddhism, “passing on the lamp” means carrying the teachings forward.

About the name “Randeng Pagoda”

The Chinese name 燃灯塔 (Rándēng Tǎ) combines 燃灯, “lighting a lamp”, with 塔, “pagoda”. It recalls Dipankara Buddha, known in Chinese as 燃灯佛 (Randeng Fo), as well as the lamp as an image of wisdom illuminating darkness and the passing on of Buddhist teachings. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's record of Dipankara Buddha also gives the Chinese name as Randengfo.

We use “Randeng Pagoda” to retain the Chinese name of this place while making its architectural form clear to English readers. Randeng is the name written in Hanyu Pinyin; Pagoda identifies the seven-storey Buddhist tower. A literal rendering such as “Lamp Tower” conveys the image of a lamp but makes the connection with Dipankara and Buddhist pagoda architecture less clear.

The seven storeys: symbolism and this temple's practice topics

Seven as completeness: The four directions, above, below and the centre make seven. This temple uses that symbolism to remind visitors to move from confusion to awakening and seek completeness in their practice.

Rising one storey at a time: A pagoda is built from the ground up. In the same way, practice gradually loosens attachment and helps us grow. At this temple, the seven storeys introduce the seven groups of the thirty-seven aids to awakening: the four foundations of mindfulness, four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of awakening and the Noble Eightfold Path. The sixth storey introduces the seven factors of awakening: discerning the teachings, effort, joy, ease, mindfulness, concentration and equanimity. This is our temple's arrangement; it does not describe every seven-storey Buddhist pagoda.

Building or looking at a pagoda reminds us to give our conduct a firm foundation and continue to grow, step by step.

Saving a life: We can save a person's physical life. Buddhist teaching also speaks of protecting the life of wisdom. A pagoda may give a passer-by a first connection with the teachings. Helping someone understand, stop doing harm and begin doing good can likewise build a seven-storey pagoda within their own nature. This is considered an act of great merit.

Walking around the pagoda: mindfulness in motion

At Buddhist pilgrimage sites, people often walk around a pagoda as an act of respect. The scriptures speak of the great merit of circling it three times.

Why walk clockwise?

In ancient India, keeping the honoured person or object on one's right was a sign of deep respect. Here it also reminds us to work with circumstances, be considerate and let go of pride and attachment so that we can help others.

How do we practise while walking?

Walking while daydreaming or chatting may give us exercise, but the Buddhist purpose is to bring body, speech and mind into good order.

Body: Walk steadily, without rushing or agitation.

Speech: Recite “Amitabha,” or a mantra, sincerely and without mixing in idle talk.

Mind: The pagoda stands still at the centre while we move around it. It represents the true mind; our movement represents the changing world. Whatever happens outside us, and however life rises and falls, we practise keeping the mind settled on Amitabha rather than chasing every thought.

Taking the practice home

We do not circle a pagoda to ask stone or clay to make us rich. If each round leaves us a little less greedy, angry or confused, the practice has helped. If we walk ten rounds and still go home to the same angry quarrel with our partner, we have mainly stretched our legs.

When you see the seven storeys, ask whether your own thoughts and actions are developing through the thirty-seven aids to awakening.

As you walk clockwise, let the pagoda remind you of a steady mind. Bring that steadiness back to your family and workplace. Whatever tempts or upsets you, keep a clear remembrance of Amitabha. That is how walking around a pagoda becomes part of daily practice.

Background music

Lamp Offering Prayer

Performed by the Qingtai Fayun group. If there is a copyright issue, please contact us for removal.

I offer this lamp of rare and brilliant light to the thousand Buddhas of the Fortunate Aeon,And throughout the vast ten directions, without exception,To teachers, dakinis, Dharma protectors and all the sacred beings of the mandala.May all beings, beginning with our parents,See the Buddha's Pure Land in this life and every life to come.May we become one with the Buddha.Through the power of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots,Please bless these wishes so that they may soon be fulfilled.Dayata Banzan Zhiya Awa Bodanaye Suoha. (Chinese phonetic rendering; repeat four times.)