Cetiya, "reminders" or "memorials" (
Sanskrit caitya), are objects and places used by
Theravada Buddhists to remember
Gautama Buddha. According to
Prince Damrongrachanuphap, four kinds are distinguished in the
Pali Canon: "Relic [Dhatu], Memorial [Paribhoga], Teaching [Dhamma], and Votive [Udesaka]." Griswold, in contrast, states that three are traditional and the fourth, the
dhamma, was added later to remind monks that the true memory of Gautama Buddha can be found in his teachings. While these can be broadly called
Buddhist symbolism, the emphasis tends to be on a historical connection to the Buddha and not a metaphysical one.