Symbol of Buddhist revival in East

K.D. Jayasekara

Seruvila Temple in Trincomalee district selected for conservation as a World Heritage is considered to be a unique place of Buddhist worship. It is situated closer to the Mahaweli Ganga. It is also one of the most venerable ancient Buddhist temples to be found specially in the Eastern Province where once Buddhism flourished.

Servila Raja Maha Viharaya

According to historical annals King Kavantissa who ruled the Ruhuna built this temple 2223 years back by enshrining the forehead relics of the Buddha.

Legend has it that three Viharas existed at this sacred site built during the periods of three Buddhas namely Kakusanda, Konagama and Kasyapa with their relics enshrined in them. Gautama Buddha who was the last of the Buddhas had personally visited this place and offered eight handfull of `Sapu’ flowers.

Gautama Buddha had not only foreseen that a king by the name of Kavantissa would built a temple at this site with his forehead relics enshrined in it, but also wished that the temple should be named Mangala Vihara.

King Kavantissa, father of King Dutugemunu who ruled the Ruhuna Rata after having obtained the Forehead Relics of Buddha was looking for a suitable site to build a Vihara. According to the ancient custom the king directed the royal elephant to lead the way and the king himself with workmen and soldiers followed.

Later the royal party arrived at a place called `Varaha Sondi’ in Sri Gonapura, a region in Rajarata where the elephant remained unmoved. Immediately work started and within a short period, a vihara with a stupa enshrining the forehead relic was built.

King Kavantissa built several other Viharas in the area and thousands of Buddhists settled down around them. Buddhism accordingly flourished in the area for several centuries.

With the invasion of Cholas and Pandyas from South India, the Sinhalese Buddhists were forced to seek refugee in the hill country. The downfall of Buddhism set in. With the passage of time, the Buddhist Viharas fell victim to the overpowering jungle.

It was however only in 1923 that the Bhikkhu Dombagasare Sumedankara, a Southerner dared to undertake a hazardous journey to Seruvila. Having obtained the then Governor’s permission, the Bhikkhu set about restoring then the Seruvila Ancient Viharaya where Buddha’s Forehead Relics were enshrined.

His epic visit to Seruvila made history. It was the first time, the people living in the area saw a Buddhist Monk. Both the inhabitants and the terrain of the area were in yellow robes quite inhospitable to the young Bhikkhu.

The Seruvila Temple area was also the hunting ground for the inhabitants and even Veddhas lived in the jungles. The site of the Ancient Viharaya was strewn with granite pillars where he found a huge mould of earth and bricks. The centuries old Seruvila Vihara was found to be buried in the jungles!

The Bhikkhu was resolute in his efforts to restore the Mangala Viharaya to its pristine glory. He got round the few Buddhist traders who were from the South and they willingly agreed to extend their patronage to have the sacred area rehabilitated.

His ardent Dayakas in his native Dodanduwa pledged their support for the restoration project.

The young Bhikkhu made it a habit to visit Seruvila after forming the Seruvila Mangala Maha Chetiya Wardhana Samithiya in 1923.

Meanwhile, the hitherto hostile background changed overnight when one day the Bhikkhu treated a snake bite patient and brought him, back to life!

In another occasion a snake bite victim whose life was saved by the Bhikkhu fell at the feet of the Bhikkhu and thanked him profusely for saving his life. Thereafter the Muslims of Toppur began to show respect to the Bhikkhu and helped him in many ways.

The Seruvila Mangala Chetiya Wardhana Samithiya began the restoration work soon after clearing a roadway. Work was carried out under most difficult conditions. However, the society completed the projects in record time and the pennacle laying ceremony was held in September 1930.

Among the outstanding works of the Ven. Dombagasare Sri Sumedankara Thera, the Incumbent of the Seruvila Temple until passed away, were the establishment of the Jayasumanaramaya Temple in Trincomalee, the Mangalaramaya Temple in Batticaloa and the Sri Wijayaramaya Temple in Akkaraipattu.

It was mainly due to his persuasion that many people were settled down in the East and he also extended his patronage in rehabilitating the Mangala Wewa and a few other tanks and dams in the area. He was the chief Sanghanayaka of Eastern and Thamankaduwa Depalatha and was conferred with the honourary title of “Mangala Dharmakeerthi Sri Kalyani Wansika”.

The Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedankara Thera who was elected the Maha Nayaka of the Sri Kalyaniwansa Nikaya in early 1984 passed away on August 13, 1984.