Final answer:
A stupa is a Buddhist monument usually with a dome shape, associated with the Buddha's life and teachings. It serves as a shrine, embodying Buddhist presence and spirituality, like those found around Mahabodhi Temple and at Borobudur.
Step-by-step explanation:
A stupa is an important form of Buddhist architecture, primarily serving as a commemorative monument associated with significant events in the life of the Buddha or other important figures in Buddhism. Despite variations in sizes and details, stupas usually have a semi-spherical dome shape with a spire on top, often surrounded by railing. Rather than a gathering place or temple with interior space for worshipers, a stupa is more akin to a shrine embodying the Buddha's presence and teachings.
Examples of stupas include the constructions around the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, where the stupas follow the path Buddha took during his Enlightenment, and the 72 perforated stupas that surround the central dome at the Borobudur in Indonesia. The Mahabodhi Temple itself is not a stupa but a complex with a brick temple that also encapsulates the essence of Buddhist architectural styles. Through these architectural wonders, a stupa represents the Buddhist quest for enlightenment, endurance, and sacred symbolism across various cultures and periods.