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| Sunday, 13 July 2003 |
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Today is Esala full moon Poya day Building of the Maha Thupa by Aryadasa Ratnasinghe "The flowers here shall not wither, (The above is an inscription found on the lid of the relic chamber of the Maha Thupa)
It was on the Esala full moon day in BC 149 (i.e. 2,147 years ago), that the foundation stone was ceremonially laid for the building of the Maha Thupa (Ruwanveliseya) in Anuradhapura, by king Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) in the fulfilment of his religious zeal towards Buddhism. Today, this colossal masterpiece of construction stands to a height of 338 ft., has a circumference of 924 ft., and a diameter of 293 ft., and remains as the most revered object of worship, enshrining the relics of the Buddha. After completion, it belonged to the Mahaviharavasins of orthodox Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This gigantic thupa, leaving its Indian models far behind in size, retained its shape with certain modifications. The essential part of the thupa is the dome which rises from the base. Above the dome is a solid cube, with a square enclosure ('hataras-kotuwa'), and the important appendage incorporated into the structure, came to be known as the 'vahalkada'. The massive stone pillar, with its base placed on the relic chamber, adorns as the pinnacle to the thupa, upon which is placed a crystalline gem. Advent With the spread of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, subsequent to the advent of Arhat Maha Mahinda Thera, in BC 306, the illustrious apostle of Buddhism, and in particular, due to the religious zeal and enthusiasm of our devout kings, many stupas or thupas dotted the island, and great progress was made for the propagation of Buddhism and the building of thupas, monasteries, temples etc. The thupas enshrined the body-relics ('saririka-dhatu') of the Buddha. All thupas of later construction conformed to a uniform pattern, similar to the Maha Thupa, which is bubble-shaped ('bubbulakara'). In addition to the Maha Thupa, there are two other thupas of later construction. One is the Abhayagiriya, built by king Vatta Gamani Abhaya alias Valagambahu (104-77 BC), which is 327 ft. in diameter at the base, and Jetavana build by king Mahasena (207-302 AD) has a diameter of 367 ft. Its original height is said to have been about 400 ft., and is recognised as the largest thupa in the island. Devout The Maha Thupa was restored, due to the pioneering efforts of Ven. Naranvita Sumanasara Nayake thera, mostly out of the donations received from devout Buddhists. The grand ceremony enshrining the relics and treasures was held on December 29, 1932, amidst the pomp of state. The crystal to the Maha Thupa was a gift received from Myanmar (Burma), and this crystalline-cut gem is about 18 kg. (32 lbs.) in weight, and adorns the pinnacle at the top. It is a clear quartz, like ice, but solid, bright and clear and superior to glass. This is how the Maha Thupa came to be built. The stone pillar set up by king Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BC), within the precincts of the Mahamegha Garden (now within the sacred city) was removed, and the site was selected to build the Maha Thupa. King Dutugemunu was determined to build this thupa as his contribution for the progress of the Sasana, and for Buddhists to make their benefactions to the thupa with complete faith and devotion. After the Mahaparinibbana (demise) of the Buddha in 543 BC, worship of thupas became the centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. The ground was dug to a depth of 10 ft., to lay a massive foundation to withstand the weight of the mass above ground, having taken the circle by holding a staff and going around, with the centre pole tied to the rope in the centre of the circle. But, the king was compelled to reduce the size of the thupa by half. A farseeing bhikkhu, stepped forward and respectfully expressed his opinion that it was unwise to plan such a thupa on such a large scale, because the king would not live until its completion taking twice the time. The king having listened to the Ven. Siddhattha Maha Thera modified the size by half (the size we see today). The foundation to the Maha Thupa was laid in eleven stages. Rock stones brought to the site by the king's soldiers were broken with hammers, and in order to make the foundation firmer, the crushed stones were stamped down by huge elephants and their feet were bound with leather to prevent injury. After settling the stones, a kind of clay called 'butter-clay' ('vendaru-meti') was spread over the layer of stones, and bricks were laid over them. Above the bricks a rough cement was laid and over it cinnabar (sulphide of mercury) or 'kuruvinda pashana', and over it a sheet of gravel ('marumba') six inches thick. Over it, at the request of the king, was laid a sheet of crystal and over it stones were spread to a height of six feet, the butter-clay serving as cement throughout the work. Then, a sheets of copper, seven inches thick, were laid. The resin of 'kapitta' tree ('divul') dissolved in coconut water, was spread over the whole surface, and over it arsenic dissolved in sesamum oil was applied and, upon it, was placed sheets of silver. The outer plaster was of butter-clay mixed with sesamum oil. (This account is given in the Mahavamsa) vide Ch. 29:5-12). While the work was in progress, preparatory to the laying of the foundation stone for the Maha Thupa, the king sent out invitations to bhikkus of great monasteries in India, requesting them to be present at the historic occasion. On the appointed day, the city of Anuradhapura and the streets leading to it were gaily decorated, and people, from near and afar, flocked to the city to witness the grand event. Ministers were charged with the duty of making adequate arrangements for the proper reception and treatment of the visitors. "In the relic chamber, the king placed a priceless and dazzlingly beautiful five-branched Bo tree made of jewels. The root made of coral rested on sapphire. The stem made of perfectly pure silver, was adorned with leaves and fruits of gold and young shoots made of coral. The 'attha managalikani' (eight auspicious figures) viz: lion, bull, elephant, water-pitcher, fan, standard, conch cell and lamp, were on the stem, as well as festoons of flowers and beautiful rows four-footed beasts and rows of sacred geese" (Mhv. 30:62-66). The king could not complete the stupendous task, for he passed away before that. The work was completed by his brother king Saddha Tissa (137-119 BC) who succeeded to the throne. The Maha Thupa was completed in all detail and king Tissa felt justly proud for what he had done to complete the thupa, which still remains as the imposing structure of ancient Sri Lanka. |
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