Thuparama: Sri Lanka’s first dagoba- by M.A.R.Manukulasooriya Source:Sundayobserver Thuparama in Anuradhapura is considered as the first dagoba built Sri Lanka after the introduction of Buddhism. Arahat Mahinda, an envoy sent by King Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the country during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The king who met Arahat Mahinda at Mihintale, was the first to embrace Buddhism. Under the patronage of the Thera, the king built the Thuparama stupa in the 3rd century B.C. enshrining the collarbone of the Buddha. According to legend, the earth had shaken at the ceremony held to place the sacred relics. The king and the members of the royal family had provided many valuable items to be enshrined in the Dhathu Garba. ...
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Mihintale ancient Hospital – the oldest in the world? – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Established by King Sena II (853-887 AC) at *Mihintale around 853 A.D., the ancient hospital in the location is considered as the oldest in the world, although, consulting and healing have taken place in the location centuries before. According to inscriptions, Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced at Mihintale and the hospital has been maintained by Buddhist monks. The layout of the building (of the hospital) and discovery of a medical trough are also evidence that a hospital had existed at the site. The oldest archeological evidence of a hospital in Sri Lanka is within the ruins of Mihintale. The identification was based on a 10th century inscription at the site. According to the plan of the hospital, there had been 31 rooms and these rooms were arranged on a high platform. The consulting room, rooms for hot ...
Dec 22, 2022
Posted by eLanka admin In
Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe
Tagged ancient hospital in Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Buddhist monks, Hospital Complex, King Devanampiyatissa, King Pandukabhaya, King Sena II, Mahawamsa, Mannar, medical, Mihintale, Mihintale ancient Hospital, Prince Vijaya, Sri Lanka, Upatissagama
Vessagiriya – reminiscent gravity-defying boulder with inscriptions – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in close proximity to *Isurumuniya, Vessagiriya also known as Vessagiri or Issarasamanarama is an ancient Buddhist Forest Monastery, a section of the ruins of *Anuradhapura. Unlike most historical sites in Anuradhapura, Vessagiriya is a less visited site by tourists. Construction of the Monastery commenced during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC – 207 BC) in mid-3rd century BC and the site was expanded during the reign of King Kashyapa (473-495 AD). The Forest Monastery was home to approximately 500 Buddhist Monks and they had lived in rock shelters. Vessagiriya temple complex is located among three rock boulder formations across a large area overlooking the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura. Located amongst several mighty boulders, caves, pillars, ponds as well as shady trees, Vessagiriya is a retreat for peace-seeking pilgrims as well as nature lovers as there is a ...
Nov 23, 2022
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Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe
Tagged . Vessagiriya temple, ancient Buddhist Forest Monastery in sri lanka, Anuradhapura, Isurumuniya, King Devanampiyatissa, The Forest Monastery, Vessagiriya
Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya – location of pre-historic frescoes – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Surrounded by huge boulders and thick forest, a prominent Buddhist sacred place situated approximately 40 kilometers north-west of Anuradhapura, peace and serenity prevail in Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya (Viharaya meaning temple in Sinhala). Constructed in the 3rd century BC and utilized by *King Devanampiyatissa as a one-day shelter for *Arhath Theri Sangamitta on her way to Anuradhapura, the Temple has developed from a small temple to a large monastery by the end of the *Anuradhapura Period. The easiest access from Anuradhapura is to travel along Mahavilachchiya road. The Temple and the surrounding area are full of ruins including two stone statues and several stone ponds. There is also an archaeological museum at Thanthirimale. Initially, known as “Upastissa Gama” as the area was first occupied and developed by Upatissa, a minister of King Vijaya (c.543-c.505 BCE) who chose the location ...
Rose quartz mountain range – largest in Asia – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Nestled in the vast ironwood forest (popularly known as “Na Uyana” or “Jaathika Namal Uyana” due to its vast range of Na trees – Mesua ferrea), the oldest and largest man-made forest in Asia and situated in close proximity to *Dambulla, the rose quartz mountain range also known as “pink quartz mountain” (known as rosa thiruwana kanda in Sinhala) comprises seven mountains. According to scholars, the rose quartz mountain range enclosed in Namal Uyana is over 500 million years old. The rose quartz mountain is the most well-known and unique attraction of the heritage site. Vistas of the breathtaking splendor of the pink quartz mountain range is a unique experience. There is no presence of common black rock in the entire area. Although, quartz crystals are common in many parts of the world, this deposit is renowned ...
Jun 15, 2022
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Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe
Tagged Anuradhapura, Ceylon, Dambulla, Jaathika Namal Uyana, King Dappula IV, King Devanampiyatissa, Na Uyana, rosa thiruwana kanda, Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero
The world’s oldest living tree – by Text & pix by Mahil Wijesinghe In 288 BC, King Asoka of India sent his daughter Sangamitta with a sapling of the Bo-tree to Sri Lanka Source:Sunday Observer The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred site for Buddhists the world over There is no spot in Anuradhapura more sacred than the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Whenever I visit Anuradhapura, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is number one on my list. Worshiping at the Bo tree has continued unbroken for 23 centuries. The introduction of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, the oldest historical tree in the world and the most venerated, is commemorated by Buddhists in Sri Lanka on Unduwap Poya (full moon) day. Unduwap Poya is popularly known as Sri Sangamitta Day, because it was the missionary nun Sangamitta who brought the sacred Bodhi to the country. It was brought as a sapling of the ...
Dec 29, 2020
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Articles
Tagged King Devanampiyatissa, the Department of Archaeology
