What is the functional purpose of a pagoda?

Pagodas are generally reliquaries. They developed out of Indian stupas, and are used to house relics of the Buddha (e.g. the Buddha's finger bone, or a finger bone of one of his direct followers, the arthats), as well as other treasures. read more

Pagodas are generally reliquaries. They developed out of Indian stupas, and are used to house relics of the Buddha (e.g. the Buddha's finger bone, or a finger bone of one of his direct followers, the arthats), as well as other treasures. read more

The pagoda's original purpose was to house relics and sacred writings. This purpose was popularized due to the efforts of Buddhist missionaries, pilgrims, rulers, and ordinary devotees to seek out, distribute, and extol Buddhist relics. read more

A pagoda is a tiered tower with eaves commonly found in Nepal, Japan, China, Vietnam, Korea and rest of Asia. Pagodas were built with the purpose of serving a religious function and were often constructed within a temple complex. In Southeast Asia, a pagoda is cone-shaped monument built in honor of Buddha. read more