Ruwanwelisaya
Ruwanweli Maha Seya | |
---|---|
රුවන්වැලි මහා සෑය | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Buddhism |
Location | |
Location | Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Geographic coordinates | 8°21′0″N 80°23′47″E / 8.35000°N 80.39639°E |
Architecture | |
Founder | King Dutugamunu |
Completed | circa 140 BC; 2164 years ago |
Website | |
https://www.facebook.com/RuwanweliMahaSeya |
The Ruwanweli Maha Seya, also known as the Maha Thupa (lit. 'the Great Thupa'), is a
This is one of the "Solosmasthana" (the 16 places of veneration) and the "Atamasthana" (the 8 places of veneration). The stupa is one of the world's tallest ancient monuments, standing at 103 m (338 ft) and with a circumference of 290 m (951 ft). The original stupa had been about 55 m (180 ft) in height and was renovated by many kings. The
The stupa was covered by wilderness as of the 19th century. After fund raising efforts by a
Buddha’s Relic
In the Mahavamsa,
King Dutthagamini then received from the Sangha the Buddha’s relics upon his head in a casket and departed from the golden pavilion in the midst of manifold offerings and honours made by gods and ‘‘
In the Thupavamsa numerous types of beings attended the enshrinement of the relics into the Mahathupa; including the Naga king Mahakala who until recently guarded them. The relics were to be placed atop a golden throne crafted by Visvakarman the divine artificer; the throne brought by Indra. Brahma offers his invisible umbrella of sovereignty, with the king Dutthagamani offering his own. The arhat Indagutta creates a metal canopy over the universe, so that Mara will not interfere, as monks chanted the
‘‘"The relic-chamber shall not shake even by an earthquake; flowers such as jasmine that were offered on that day shall not wither till the end of Buddha Gotama’s Dispensation; the lamps that were kindled with ghee-oil shall not be extinguished; the clay that was mixed with perfume and sandalwood shall not dry; even a single scratch shall not appear within the relic-chamber; stains shall not appear in any of the golden goods that were offered.’ All this occurred by the determination-power of all Arahants present. They determined also that inimical persons should not be able to even see the relic-chamber. Furthermore, by order of king Dutugemunu, the people of Srī Lanka enshrined, along with many other objects such as golden and silver caskets, thousand more of the Buddha's relics over the relic-chamber."
History
King Dutugemunu started the construction of the stupa, however he died from an illness before it was finished. The construction began only after he conquered Rajarata from the Chola general Elāra.[6]: 130
The stupa was damaged during the Chola conquest of Anuradhapura, but was renovated during the reign of Parakramabahu I (1153–1187), who invaded South India, capturing few parts of Pandya Nadu.[7] Parakramabahu used the captured Tamils for the work of renovation.[8]: 280–282
Images
See also
- Ancient stupas of Sri Lanka
- List of tallest structures built before the 20th century
- Ancient Constructions of Sri Lanka
- Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka
- Architecture of Sri Lanka
- Jetavanaramaya
- Atamasthana
- Mahawansa
- Solosmasthana
References
- ^ "The Sunday Times".
- ^ Myo Aung; H. Kraft’. Upper Myanmar Mandalay Pyin Oo Lwin Sagaing Monywa Mingun Mogok Shwebo. Books on Asia.
- ^ Situge, Hemantha (2019-01-15). "Hemantha Situge: GAYAN CHANUKA VIDANAPAHIRANA's SWAMALI MAHA CHAITHYA WARNANAWA DAYAWANSA JAYAKODY PUBLISHERS 2015 ON SITUGE DON HENDRICK APPUHAMY ALIAS HENEGAMA APPUHAMY on his benevolence to RUWANWELISEYA". Hemantha Situge. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ Strong 2007, p. 160-167.
- ^ Strong 2007, p. 133.
- ISBN 1932705481.
- ISBN 8120609468.
- ISBN 8120602080.
Bibliography
- Shereen Amendra, "Beyond the Seeing Eye: The Mahathupa of Lanka: An Insight", Shereen Amendra, 2006, ISBN 9555009805
- Ulrich von Schroeder, "Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka", Visual Dharma Publications, 1990, ISBN 962-7049-05-0
- ISBN 978-0-691-11764-5