Buddhangala Monastery
බුද්ධංගල ආරන්ය සේනාසනය
The new stupa built on the original stupa which held the holy
remains of two principal disciples of Buddha, Sariputha and Moggalana
Thero |
The Buddhangala Monastery lies deep in the jungles about 7 kilometres
off Ampara. The Monastery covers 1280 acres covering 5 rocks where the
remains of the ancient monastery can be seen.
This area belonged to the Digamadulla Kingdom which was started by Prince
Dighayu in the 4th century BC. All though the beginning of this monastery
is not documented, Ven Ellawala Medhananda Thero states that the history
of is monastery is as old as the Digamadulla Kingdom.
Remains of a glorious past |
Lost in the history, covered by thick jungle infested with wild animals,
exposed to the elements for over thousands of years, this monastery
was brought back to life in 1964 by a young brave bikku called Kalutara
Dhammananda, (incumbent high priest today) who traveled through the
thick jungles and cleared the area with the assistance of buddhists
in the area.
The caves where the had priest lives. This area is used
as a library where valuable talipot inscriptions and discovered
relics are kept. |
This hermitage came to prominence due the relics unearthed during excavation
of the original stupa. Among them was a 4 inch gold casket with 3 golden
lotus flowers standing on its stems with carefully placed relics on
each of them. The centre flower was tallest and two bo leaves on the
other two stems had the names "Sariputha" and "Maha
Moggalana" inscribed
on them. How these relics of the two chief decipals of Buddha came to
Sri Lanka is not known, but it is believed this would have been given
by a private donor who probably had them in custody for some time.
The relic casket shows characteristics of 5th centaury work but the
inscriptions on the golden bo leaves are said to be belonging to Pre
- Christian Era.
"Pada Lanchana", the foot print of Buddha, an
ancient form of representing Buddha before statues were
built. Three circles along the brim is said to represent
the triple gem, Buddha Dhamma & Sangha. A circular hole
under this stone is thought to be used as a relic chamber
in the ancient times |
A new stupa was built and uncovered by President W. Gopallawa in 1974
but very little attention was given to preserving this site by the government.
The chief priest along with buddhist government servants working in
the area prevented number of attempts by the Muslims and Tamils to encroach
the monastery including an attempt to build a tank called "Hijra" inside
the Buddhangala Sanctuary.
The monastery faced another dark era when the Tamil Tiger Terrorists
started ethnic cleansing in the areas under their control chasing away
all Sinhalese and destroying and killing any who opposed them. Lying
in the middle of the Jungle where terrorists roam, the bikkhus refused
to leave this important buddhist shrine even under the threat of death.
During these dark 30 years in the Sri Lankan history, the Sri Lankan
army protected the site and its occupants and only after the defeat
of the LTTE in 2009, that the general public could visit this site
without a fear.
Remains of a glorious past |
The original name of Buddhangala is not known, one belief is that the
name is derived due the shape of the rock formation, which looks
like Buddha in a lying position. The tamils and the muslims who now
occupy the land surrounding the hermitage area calls this "Buddhankalei" and
the current Sinhalese name Buddhangala could have been derived from
this.
Further Information
Driving Directions to Trincomalee
Route from Colombo to Buddhangala
in Ampara 1 |
Route from Colombo to Buddhangala
in Ampara 2 |
Though : Kandy-Mahiyangane-Padiyatalawa
distance : 320 km
Travel time : 6-7 hours
Driving directions : see
on google map |
Though : Ratnapura - Betagala - Wellawaya
- Monaragla
distance : 340 km
Travel time : 6-7 hours
Driving directions : see
on google map |
Route from Ampara town to Buddhangala |
|
distance : 8 km
Travel time : 30-45 mins
Driving directions : see
on google map |
|
Map
Album
Route through the Jungle Paths leading to the aramaic complex |
The new stupa built on the original stupa which held the holy
remains of two principal disciples of Buddha, Sariputha and Moggalana
Thero |
Plaque installed by the President W. Gopallawa in 1974 at the
opening of the new stupa |
Remains of a glorious past |
Remains of a glorious past |
Remains of a glorious past |
An ancient pair of balustrades now decorate the southern entrence
of the new image house |
"Pada Lanchana", the foot print of Buddha, an ancient
form of representing Buddha before statues were built. Three circles
along the brim is said to represent the triple gem, Buddha
Dhamma & Sangha. A circular hole under this stone is thought to
be used as a relic chamber in the ancient times |
New bo tree |
The temple on the rock |
An replica of Gal Viharaya of Polonnaruwa |
The caves where the had priest lives. This area is used as
a library where valuable talipot inscriptions and discovered
relics are kept. |
The caves converted to living quarters |
|
Ctrated : October 5, 2008
Updated
:
June 18, 2011
|
