Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two

Out of the three statements, only statements 2 and 3 are correct. While stupas were indeed repositories of relics and served as votive and commemorative structures in Buddhist tradition, the concept of stupa itself predates Buddhism and originated as pre-Buddhist burial mounds.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The concept of stupa is not Buddhist in origin; it existed in pre-Buddhist times as burial mounds and was later adopted and transformed by Buddhism into a sacred monument.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Stupas generally served as repositories of relics, containing physical remains or belongings of the Buddha or revered Buddhist monks.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Stupas functioned as votive (devotional offerings) and commemorative structures, marking significant events in Buddha's life or expressing religious devotion.

📝 Short Notes: Stupas in Ancient India

• Pre-Buddhist Origin: Stupas originally existed as burial mounds (chaityas) in ancient India before Buddhism emerged.
• Buddhist Adoption: Buddhism adopted and transformed the stupa into a central religious monument, especially after Buddha's Parinirvana (483 BCE).
• Purpose: Stupas served triple functions - repositories of sacred relics (sarira), commemorative monuments marking important Buddhist events, and votive structures built as acts of devotion.
• Key Components: A typical stupa consists of a hemispherical dome (anda), a square railing (harmika), and an umbrella-like structure (chhatravali).
• Famous Examples: Sanchi Stupa (Madhya Pradesh), Amaravati Stupa (Andhra Pradesh), and Dhamek Stupa (Sarnath) represent different architectural styles and periods.
• Circumambulation: Devotees perform pradakshina (clockwise walking) around stupas as a form of worship and meditation.