Monastic entrances

Ancient Buddhist Monastic Architecture constitutes a great part of the archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka. There Moonstone, Guard-stone, Wing-stone and Steps are monastic entrances.

The Moonstone is considered the Buddhist sculpture. That can be seen at the monastery or the Cetiya or the Image house. The sculpture of moonstone takes the shape of a semicircle in general. It is supposed to be the first step at the entrance. The Pāli term is defined Addḥacanḍapāsāṇa “A stone taking the shape of half of the moon”. It is also known such “the split at the beginning of the staircase” in Mahāvaṃsa. The Mahāvaṃsa-tīkā is called Addḥacanḍapadagantikā.

A few historical references the moon stone: Visākhā offers the Pubbārāma monastery. At the ceremony time, many people participated bringing a various kinds of offerings. A friend of Visākhā came a little late. She has to search a place to put a beautiful rug all around the monastery and various things were laid on the ground. Then she kept her beautiful rug at the entrance of the monastery. This was supposed to be the early ideas of placing a moonstone at the entrance.

According to Written Record, Sonuṭṭara-thera went to the Nāga-world to bring relics. At the time, the King of Nāga told him even if you collect all the gems in Sri Lanka, there are not well at the first step of the entrance to Mahāthūpa. Professor Gunapāla Senadhera gives his opinion of the moon stone. 

1.      -Wish fulfillment,

2.      - Aesthetic and

3.      -Prior preparation to induce piety.

           The following can be considered as some of the moon stone. At the northern in dwelling of Abhayagiri monastery, there moonstone is rather large inside. It takes the form of the sun rays spreading out. This stone consists of three semicircles. The out of circle is broader and the inner two circles gradually become narrow. This stone takes the form of three slaps of stone joined together. This moon stone explains the term Pātika ‘split as division’. 

         According to Professor Paranavisāna, this split is interpreted as the division of ‘mundane and supremundance’ levels. This is a philosophical interpretation. But during the early period, people worship the sun since the base moon stone takes the form of the spreading ray of the sun. It may be an indication of worship of the sun. 

            The Mirisaveti and Ruvanveliseya moon stone is very simple without any decoration. The Entrance of Sri-mahābodha moon stone is very simple. There only a lotus pattern is in the center. Apart from it, the whole background is simple. 

             The Moon Stone of Mihintale Assembly Hall has an inscription with letter.

            The Moon Stone at the Elephant Pound near the Abhaỵagīri monastery complex. At the fringe, there the elephant, the horse, the bull and the lion are going from left to right. Next to this, there has a foliage pattern. This is a creeper with stay at the neck. Next to it, there has a blank space. There, a lotus is in the middle.

The Buddha Stupas

The Buddha Stupas

In Sri Lanka, the stupa is often referred to as Chaitiya, Dagoba, Saya or Wehere. The Stupa original from is Funeral mound which are raised man of soil. The stupa supposed to be the architectural device within a triangle. In Egypt, there have been ‘Pyramid’, this plan has influence the construction of stupa.

According to Furgoson, during the Vedic period in India, two types of S’mashāna are; square shape and circular shape. They had a cemetery origin. The top of the stupa where the relic are enshrined in the enough chambers is square shape.

According to ‘Mahāparinibbāna Sutta’, the Buddha mentioned the Buddha, Pacceka-Buddha, Arahant  and Cakkavatti are the worthy of construction of a stupa. During the life time of the Buddha, Stupa was constructed with the ashes of Ven. Sāriputta and Moggalāna.

The following six types of patterns are the most popular in Sri Lanka. These are:

       The Ruvanveli Seya, Kiri Vehera and Rankot vehera Stupas are shape of Bubble (Bubbulākāra). This shape explained the Buddhist concept of impermanent and also known “the human life is just like a water bubble”.

A striking Kelaniya, Thupārāma Stupa is a taking paddy heap shape (Dharyakāra).

The Demalamahaseya Stupa is Padmākāra (Lotus shape) at Polunarawa.

           According Roland Silva, ‘‘Mahiyangana Stupa” is takes the bell shape (Ghathākāra).Kiri Vehera in Kataragāma and Somawathi Stupas has taken the Pot shape (Ghatākāra). During the later period, Āmalākāra Stupa is belonging to other shapes also. In the Polonnaruwa is called “Sat Mahal Pāsāda Stupa” the shape of a pagoda. There also has been a peculiar type of Stupa at Pacinnatissa Pabbata of Anuradhapūra and cylinder shape of Ambara. The Lotus shape and the Āmalākāra shape had been connected together.

There are ten steps and various designs of the structure of the stupa. The Sand-terrace is the surrounding of the stupa used by devotees to come and worship.

This Stone-terrace includes stone slabs of various shapes which indicate people ordinary Kamma force.  This is the indication of the Samsāra.

The Base Moulding is the 84,000 sections of the Dhammas“main fair”.

The Three-terraces signify Sīla, Samādhi, and Pañña.

The Dome shape is a semicircle and it is placed on the top of the terraces. The Buddha or Arahant relics are enshrined inside this Dome. The Ruvanveliseya Dome inside this relic, gold, silver, jewels, etc are enshrined due to their faith. There have 550 Jātaka stories.  It is signify the 37 Dhammas belonging to Enlightenment.

The Square enclosure is also sometimes sculpture with the symbol of the sun or the moon or lotus. The religious significant is The Four Noble Truths.

This Spire is taking the cylinder shape. It signifies the eight attainments.

Pinnacle indicates Supādisesa and Anupādisesa nibbāna.

Crest Jewel signifies the complete emancipation which is Nibbhāna.

There are famous of stupas in Srilanka: Thuūpārāma-dagoba is constructed north of the Ruvanveli-seya by King Devānampiyatissa 250-210 B.C. It took a heap of paddy shape. Today, the stupaghara around is four rows of stone pillars.

Mahāthūpa stupa was built by King Dutugāmunu during the second century BC. This is taking the bubble shape. This stupa has three circular terraces built of bricks at the base.

King Saddhatissa built the square structure about the Dome and also Chatra. That King is sent to have provided a ring of crystal on the top of the Mahāthupa. The stupa’s platform was surrounded by a broad procession path on all four sides.