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A few historical references the moon stone: Visākhā offers the Pubbārāma monastery.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 Moon Stone of Bisomaligawa has Fringe design, Four animals, Foliage pattern, this is a creeper with twisting and turning, swans, a narrow foliage pattern and Lotus.