Sanchi is home to 2300 years old Buddhist monuments known as "Stupas", meaning 'mounds'. Upon the death of Buddha nearly 2400 years ago, the remains of his cremated body such as teeth, remnants of the skull and collarbones were divided up into 8 portions and buried inside 8 simple mound structures made of mud and bricks. These remains, known as the 'relics of the Buddha' remained in these Stupas for nearly two hundred years when they were dug up and redistributed to other, more elaborate Stupas. This was carried out by the Emperor Ashoka who had gained control of most of what is now known as India, and large portions of Afghanistan, Persia and Central Asia. Ashoka's conquests were bloody affairs but upon meeting a Buddhist monk, Ashoka had a complete transformation, converted to Buddhism and in fact became the most beneficent ruler in recorded world history. He set up hospitals for humans and animals, had wells dug and trees planted along the roads of his kingdom to make life easier for travelers and pilgrims alike, exhorted his subjects towards compassion and the spiritual life, and otherwise looked after their well being as ruler. After conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka lived as a monk in his palaces, wearing simple clothes, eating simple foods and taking up study of the Buddhist scriptures and meditation in earnest.

It was Ashoka who had the Stupas built at Sanchi, and also thousands of other Stupas at numerous other sites. He also sent monks and family members as emissaries of Buddhism as far abroad as Greece, China, Persia and Sri Lanka. Ashoka was a monumental figure in history who changed the model of kingship from a divine right to one based on merit. According to Ashoka, a king was not to rule as a divine being, doing essentially as he chose, but had to have as his goal the earning of respect from the body of Buddhist monks and laity.

The monuments at Sanchi have been elaborated since Ashoka's time till 1300 AD, for after this time Buddhism declined in India as a dominant force. The Stupas here had all but perished from neglect, but were rediscovered in the 1800s and carefully restored. Inside the main Stupa were found two stone caskets containing sandalwood boxes with the inscription of Buddha's two main students (also his assistant teachers). Inside were found bone fragments marked as belonging to 'Sariputta' and 'Mahamogalana'. If you read the discourses of the Buddha, you will come across these names over and over again. Being at Sanchi has been a powerful experience for us as we have learned much from Buddha, Sariputta and Mahamogalana. Being here, especially with Sariputta and Mahamogalana's remains has solidified the historical reality of the life and teaching of the Buddha. We are greatly humbled to have come so close to the physical manifestation of the spiritual force in full flower.