Aniko Stupa (Beijing) - Updated
Aniko, originally known as Barub (or Balabahu), 1244-1306, is said to have been born in a Nepalese royal household descended from the Shakya family of Lumbhini and the historical Buddha - Shakyamuni. The name Aniko is said to come from the name Araniko given to him by Chogyal Pagpa, a name in some way thought to be related to the protector deity Panjarnata Mahakala. Between 1259 and 1264 eighty craftsmen and artists journeyed from the Kathmandu Valley to Sakya, Tibet, to construct a golden stupa. Aniko was the leader of the group. After recieving monastic ordination, in 1269 Aniko traveled with Chogyal Pagpa to Dadu (Beijing) to meet with Kublai Khan. In 1271 Aniko began constructing the White Stupa 'for the preservation of the country'. In 1274 it was filled and consecrated by Chogyal Pagpa and Rinchen Gyaltsen - the brother of Pagpa. On October 25th, 1279, the stupa was officially completed. After completion a monastery was immediately built around the stupa. After ten years the temple and monastery were finished and named Dashengshou Wan'an Monastery becoming the principal place of Buddhist worship for the Mongol Lords.
Aniko was also renowned for constructing other buildings and monasteries under the command of Kublai along with 191 statues of Taoist saints. In 1302 the famous White Stupa of Mount Wutaishan, special for Manjushri, was also constructed by Aniko on top of and around an existing famous pagoda built centuries earlier. Chogyal Pagpa is also said to have contributed to the physical labour of the construction and to first associate the five peaks, or terraces, with the Five Forms of Manjushri. Of the 40 years that Aniko spent in China 13 of those years were at Wutaishan Mountain. Aniko passed away at the age of 62 in the Imperial Palace in Dadu.
Aniko is primarily remembered for his architectural achievements and for the creation of sculpture objects. A painting of the Emperor and Empress have been attributed to him in the literary records. The two known remaining works are the White Stupa in Beijing and the Stupa at Wutaishan Mountain. Modern scholars are not in agreement concerning any other monuments, paintings or sculpture. (See article on Araniko Gallery).