Pelmadulla Sri Sudarshana Dharmashalawa

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After the parnirvana of Buddha there were several Dhamma Sangayana (Buddhist Councils) in India. The Sri Lankan history also records some Dhamma Sangayana in ancient Sri Lanka.

During the reign of king Wattagamini Abhaya (89-77 BCE) popularly known as king Walagamba, a Buddhist Councils was held at the Matale Alu Lena to make the Dhamma a composition. In recent times, most of the Buddhist Councils held in our country have been to remove the Tripitaka text and revise the books. It is an essential function for the perpetuation of the Dhamma.

The Dhamma Sangayana held at Sri Sudarshana Dharmashalawa in Pelmadulla holds great significance in the Buddhist history of Sri Lanka. This purpose-built facility, constructed by the esteemed lay custodian (Basnayake Nilame) of the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya, known as Iddamalgoda Rate Mahaththaya or Iddamalgoda Basnayake Nilame, marks a notable event. Originally established as a preaching hall within the Pelmadulla Raja Maha Viharaya, it later attained an independent identity as Sudharmodhaya Pirivena while still retaining its original name, Sudarshana Dharmashalawa (Urugodawatte, 2022).

The Buddhist Council held in 1867/1868 CE was not funded by the state, but rather received generous sponsorship from Iddamalgoda Basnayake Nilame. This influential figure played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the council by making significant donations such as utensils, furniture, and various auxiliary structures including toilets, store rooms, kitchens, and residences. The records of the Buddhist Council bear testimony to the noble contributions made by Iddamalgoda Basnayake Nilame, which greatly enhanced the overall organization and proceedings of the event.

The Sangayana was headed by the following priests who were heavily involved in revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

A notice as released by the Dayakas organising the Sabaragamuwa Redaction (Dhamma Sangayana at Sri Sudarshana Dharmashalawa) shows the scholars who were invited to participate in the Redaction at Pelmadulla, the scholars invited being:

For the 1_^st book of the Vinaya Pitaka

Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala
Puwakdandave Sumangala
Pandit Batuwantudawe.

For the 2^nd book

Lankagoda Siri Saddhamma Vansapala Dhirananda
Welitara Dharmalankara
Vaskaduwe Subhuti
Kodagoda Pannasekera

For the 3^rd book

Hikkaduwe Sumangala
Mulleriyawe Gunaratana

For the 4^th book

Weligama Sumangala
Dodanduwe Piyaratana

For the 5^th book

Walane Siddharta.

(Ariyapala, 1980).

Dr Siri Gunasinghe describes this hall as follows;

This magnificent structure, designed by Iddamalgoda Kumarihami, showcases a remarkable blend of architectural elements inspired by churches. Its purpose is to serve as a venue for Sangayana ceremonies—a significant gathering in the Buddhist tradition. Adorning the expansive ceiling are even more remarkable paintings, each carrying a legacy that spans over a century.
There are sixty well-finished paintings. One of them is a Hansa Puttuwa with six swans. Another is a similar ly designed with eight peacocks. The main colors are red, yellow and black. Blue is also seen in small quantities. The colors are very well arranged and original qualities have changed very little.
The two corner walls feature square spaces adorned with exquisite images of revered Arahants. Just below, a meticulously crafted wall boasts ten circular holes, each depicting devoted laymen gracefully carrying ornate flower arrangements. Additionally, one can admire the presence of prominent deities, notably the Four Major Deities (සතරවරම් දෙවිවරු), adding to the sacred ambiance of the space. Lastly, a dignified pulpit, known as the Dharmasanaya, commands attention within the grand edifice.
The Dharmasanaya is elegantly adorned with intricate traditional designs, including the Narilatha Waka-deka motif commonly found in Kandyan art. Above the Dharmasanaya, on the prominent ceiling projection, a captivating Neth Perahera is depicted. The richly executed paintings showcase the refined artistry of the traditional Kandyan fresco style, representing a later stage in its evolution. Notably, the usage of lines and colors, uncommon in traditional frescoes, can be observed within and in the vicinity of Kandy.
Gunasinghe & Kusaladhamma, 2020

The inaugural announcement of Lak Rivikirana newspaper gives a detailed description of the opening ceremony of this Dhamma Sangayana.

The sacred relics were meticulously enshrined within exquisite gold and silver caskets, and embarked on a grand procession atop majestic elephants to reach the Panadura Viharaya. As the procession advanced, numerous venerable Buddhist priests joined from the illustrious temples of Waskaduwa and Kalutara. With utmost veneration, the sacred relics were ceremoniously adored by devout followers at Panadura, before embarking on a sacred journey to Ratmalana Viharaya. Accompanied by devoted worshipers from Ratmalana, Mout Lavinina, Dehiwala, Colpetty, and Hunupitiya, the precious relics were reverently transported to two viharayas in Kotahena.
Under the patronage of the Lankagoda Samartha Maha Thero of Dematagoda Viharaya, accompanied by numerous venerable monks and devout lay followers, the procession advanced towards Pelmadulla. The large gathering of devout Buddhists, who thronged the route with great fervor, embraced this spectacle with profound joy, chanting “Oh sadhu sadhu” and humbly prostrating themselves before the sacred relics, seeking blessings for ultimate liberation.
During the 20th of July, the processions were warmly welcomed and received great hospitality from the devoted Buddhist communities residing in the villages of Sedawatta, Kaduwela, Kaluaggala, Kosgama, Kandagamuwa, Katutiyambarawa, Sabaragamuwa Temple, Korupe, Ratnapura, Batugedara, and others. Sudarshanarama Viharaya in Pelmadulla served as the final destination for this auspicious event.
(Ariyadhamma et al., 1992 )

References

Urugodawatte, B. (2022) ‘Documentation of Portable Artefacts at Pelmadulla Sudharshana ’, Archaeo Sri Lanka, 2(3), p. 5.
Gunasinghe , S. and Kusaladhamma, G. (2020) ඓතිහාසික පැල්මඩුල්ල සුදර්ශන ධර්මශාලා විහාරය, Facebook. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/SudharmodhayaMahaPirivena (Accessed: 08 August 2023).
Ariyadhamma, Th. (1992) ‘ඓතිහාසික රත්නපුර’, in G. Kusaladhamma (ed.) සබරගමු උදානය. Ministry of Education.
Ariyapala, M.B. (1980) ‘Cultural Renaissance : A Lesser Known Pioneer Ven. Piyaratana Tissa Maha Thera’, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka Branch , XXV (new series) 1980/81, pp. 1–27.

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