In a miniature stupa relics, remains of a holy person are kept or objects with a symbolic meaning or written texts. Stupas containing relics, texts and statues were considered as the three-fold manifestation of the Buddha. The stupas themselves represent the mind of the Buddha, while the holy texts are his words and the statues his body. The form of this stupa is typical for Tibet. A boarder in relief surrounds the four-sided pedestal. On bth sides there are two poodle-like lions in high relief. On the round dome there is a niche enclosing an image of a Buddha representing either Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, or Akshobhya, one of the five heavenly Buddhas. At the top of the tall pointed pinnacle there was originally a sun, moon and flame symbol. A removable panel in the pedestal hides the space in which relics could be kept.