Somawathie Stupa reblossoming after restoring peace!
by Ven. Kiribathgoda GNANANANDA Thera
There was a glorious time in our history that we all could go on a
pilgrimage to the 'Solosmastana (16 Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka which
became sacred by receiving the noble touch of the Buddha during His
three visits to the island) across the island freely and sacredly.
Especially the great sites such as Nagadeepa, Seruvila, Somawathie,
Deeghawapi etc. But at a time about 30 years ago, the great nation
became an unfortunate victim of the world's deadliest and most inhuman
terrorism. The peace, calmness, weal, happiness... everything went
hiding in a world of darkness where there was no hope of kindness at
all. The shameless international and local forces of power that bred
terrorism always made sure to treat the coward leader who was behind
everything, Velupillai Prabhakaran as an unstoppable fighter for
liberation.
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The grand oblation
ceremony on May 8 from 7 p.m. |
Thousands of invaluable human lives were lost at the bloody hands of
terrorists. Sacred sites were deserted for many decades. Somawathie was
among them and one of the greatest sites we lost in the thick jungle off
Polonnaruwa, east of Sri Lanka. Stepping beyond Polonnaruwa towards the
East was considered a ferocious deal with the terrorists. The places
where we heard the chanting of the Dhamma, were totally filled up with
terror and horror. Nobody wants to recall those horrific memories for
sure. But the innocent bhikkhus, disciples, villagers, farmers, students
and everybody became unfortunate victims of terror. Bodies were piled up
in villages.
The terrorists have no principles. They do anything they wish against
their enemies. As a result, they started destroying Buddhist temples and
historical sites across the island. The turret of the great stupa
Somawathie was also separated from its original location but the
terrorists could not take it away as it had been protected miraculously.
They had tried their best to damage the stupa. But the shining stupa
with glamorous rays of the Buddha could not be harmed even with their
most dangerous weapons.
Pathetic experience
The horrible memories of thirty years of terrorism are still
disturbing us from time to time. My memories go back to a day in the
year 1985. It was April 17. I was on my way to Kantale from Seruvila.
The bus was suddenly attacked at a place close to the river Mahaweli in
the middle of the jungle by a group of terrorists who were in hiding. We
immediately lay down in the bus but the attack continued. Fortunately,
the bus was driven by a Sergeant of Sri Lanka Army. Due to his courage,
the bus did not roll down. After a few minutes we heard the reprisal by
the troops of Sri Lanka Army who saved us and chased away the terrorists
back to the jungle. It was a narrow escape for us.
Somehow, I managed to reach Kantale by late evening and spent the
night at Ratanamangalarama Temple in Venrasanpura. Everyone was
horrified. It was utter darkness. There was a temporary hut on top of a
massive tree behind the temple for us to spend the night. That was the
usual way of life of those villagers. I hardly slept in that long
fearful night. Everybody was impatient to witness the sun on the
following morning day. The darkness was so scary and uncertain. The
journey to Colombo continued on the following morning with no clues of a
war after passing Habarana. It was totally a different world.
Massive calamity averted
However, that was not the only experience I had with terrorism. In
the year 2008, we at Mahamevna organised a grand oblation ceremony at
the compound of the Swarnamalie Stupa in the ancient city of
Anuradhapura. The devotees who came from all over Sri Lanka were over
1.1 million. Terrorism neither has boundaries nor feelings. This time
their target was the innocent devotees gathered at this most sacred
venue. A high-powered bomb which was neatly packed in a beautiful bag of
flowers was on its way to the venue. For some reason the bomb exploded
in the bus at Dambulla killing about 20 innocent civilians on the spot.
But if their mission became successful as planned, the destruction would
have been massive with many hundreds of human lives perished. Terrorism
is so horrendous.
There is no room for happiness, prosperity or development of arts
when there is no peace and harmony around. The blessed island was
attacked by heretic terrorists from time to time but great leaders
emerged from society and chased those devils away. The 30 year long
bloody terrorism in the country also ended recently due to the emergence
of an excellent leader from the historic 'Ruhuna' where the great King
Dutugemunu came from. His immense determination and dedication powered
by Buddhism and patriotism freed the entire land from terrorism. The
feeling of the moment was beyond words.
We had first hand experience of the reality of terrorism for many
years. It is a miraculous relief for us to witness the end of brutal
terrorism in this little island. Experiencing the true nature of 'peace'
is an absolutely wonderful feeling. Many local and international 'Peace
Jokers' who were here during the past 30 years, only bred terrorism to
separate and destroy the country hiding behind the word 'peace'. They
did nor want any peace here. They were just 'peace traders' but nothing
beyond. Peace for Sri Lanka became a realistic dream because of the
great, leadership that led the nation to victory.
Lost history
Now it is time for us to dig out the lost glory. Again we have got
the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage to Solosmastana with no fear or
hesitation. The great Stupa Somawathie has begun to shine again in the
thick forest. Devotees have started to go on pilgrimage to the shining
Stupa with great devotion. Not only a refreshing spring, there in the
North and the East. Highlighting the jubilant moments in a peaceful
country, we are celebrating the first anniversary of a terror-free land
on May 8 with a grand oblation ceremony at the great Stupe Somawathie.
We should have some idea about the historical background of this
great Stupa shining with brilliant rays of the Buddha in the deep jungle
off Polonnaruwa.
King Kawantissa, father of the great King Dutugemunu built the
beautiful Stupa called 'Mangala Maha Seya' in Seruwila depositing in it
'Frontal Bone' of the Most Fortunate One. Those days the plains around
the river Mahaweli were a well populated. During this time there were
provincial Kings ruling certain parts of the country mostly Indian
immigrants from the 'Shiva' cult. The majority of them had a close
relationship with native rulers. 'Abhaya' also known as 'Giri Aba' was
such a King who ruled Kelaniya. He got married to the sister called 'Somawathie'
of King Kawantissa. As the Prince Dutugemunu was becoming a powerful
native ruler in the Southern region, the new couple Abhaya and
Somawathie peace and tranquillity went to another Shiva King who was
ruling the Seru Nuwara area in the Eastern region. They were gifted with
a fertile land by the provincial King. The land located in the plains of
the river Mahaweli was finely developed by the Prince Abhaya and was
named 'Soma Nuwara' as it was originally gifted to the Princess
Somawathie.
The Princess Somawathie was a devoted Buddhist. She was determined to
build a complete Buddhist site in the area with a wonderful Stupa for
the benefit of everybody. Prince Giri Aba was extremely pleased with
this great idea and they invited 60 Arahants and offered dana. They were
blessed by the Arahants and proceeded with the construction of the stupa.
The generation of Sangha was still feckless. The Arahant Mahadeva was
from the student generation of Great Arahant Arittha. An Arahant called
Mahinda, a student of Arahant Mahadeva was protecting the Tooth Relic
(Right) of The Blessed One. As the royal couple came across this news,
they requested Arahant Mahinda for relics to be deposited in the Stupa
they were planning to build.
The Sangha along with Arahant Mahinda were so glad about the idea and
handed over the well-protected Tooth Relic to the prince. The couple
continued the veneration for the Relics and started building the Stupa.
The tooth Relic was deposited in the bowels of the completed Stupa and
it was named 'Somawathie Stupa' as everything was initiated and
supervised by the princess Somawathie.
According to contemporary inscriptions, the site was also known as 'Maniagiya'
- the Priceless Gem. This has been a complete temple construction where
every little need was met for the bhikkhus as well as for devotees.
Due to the insane attacks and the destruction of Buddhist sites by
South Indian rulers the areas were abandoned. Those days we had to cross
the river mahaweli to reach Somawathie. The only route to the great
Stupa Somawathie has been built via the banks of the old river Mahaweli.
Miraculous powers
Though this great Stupa was hidden in the jungle for years, the fame
and the glory could not be hidden due to its miraculous powers,
especially the emanating of golden rays of the Buddha and the divine
sounds and aromas.
In the year 1947, a group accompanied by Ven. Sirimalwatte Sri
Piyaratane Thera entered the thick jungle off Polonnaruwa which was full
of elephants, bears, tigers etc. in search of this miraculous site and
they were lost in the jungle! The horrified group was helpless. But in
reality they were not helpless.
A few hundred metres away, they saw a powerful stream of light
flashing in the air and they followed it. Just before the midnight the
group was able to find the great Stupa which appeared as a hillock
flashing the golden rays of the Buddha. After paying homage to the Noble
Triple Gem, the happy group chanted Pirith and they were determined to
rebuild the Stupa. A divine sound of Hevisi ( A kind of drum used mainly
in religious events) emanated from the inner Stupa but nobody could be
seen around.
The re-construction began under the guidance of Ven, Sirimalwatte Sri
Piyaratane Thera. The task was completed. The ceremony for adorning the
turret of the Stupa was held on July 4, 1991 and thousands of devotees
who gathered were fortunate enough to witness the 45 minute long
glamorous and miraculous flashing of the rays of the Buddha.
Again after the 1983 racial riots. Reaching the site became extremely
difficult and risk. Ven. Sirimalwatte Sri Piyaratane Thera dedicated his
whole life to the great Stupa Somawathie and passed away assigning the
responsibilities to Ven. Pahamune Sri Gunananda Thera who did a great
job by protecting and developing the sacred site during his lifetime.
Now, Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera who took over from his teacher
Ven. Pahamune Sri Gunananda Thera, is doing a marvellous job for the
great Stupa being an ideal example for the rest of the Bhikkhus.
I got an opportunity to go on pilgrimage to the Stupa in 2008. It was
an idea which came in to my mind to conduct an oblation ceremony at this
site similar to the massive event we organised in Anuradhapura at the
great Stupa Swarnamalee in the same year.
We offered flowers, paid homage to the Noble Triple Gem and shared
the merits with deities after reciting the 'Dhamma Chakkappawattana
Sutta' making a wish to see an ending of the 30 year long terrorism.
Finally I determined to conduct an oblation ceremony at this site in a
terror-free atmosphere in the island. Now the time has come for the
nation to prosper with no more fear of terrorism.
Lack of facilities
Recently we visited there to discuss the program with Ven. Pahamune
Sri Sumangala Thera. After the discussion we paid homage to the great
Stupa, recited Pirith invoking the blessings for the event scheduled for
May 8. And again the brilliant rays of the Buddha were shining above the
Stupa. It was astonishing!
Recalling the glory days, a 9 foot tall statue of the Buddha placed
on a rocky seat will be available for making offerings.
Fifty plants of jasmine are being prepared to offer to the Stupa on
the day of the ceremony. The scheduled Pooja, all-night Pirith chanting
and reciting of infinite qualities of Lord Buddha will be a great
experience for the Buddhists in this blessed island.
At present Somawathie is not an area with facilities for devotees.
Water, sanitary, food and lodging facilities are extremely limited.
Therefore, we request those capable of providing these requirements
to come forward. We also remind the devotees who expect to participate
at this great event to bring a plate, a cup and a mat/sheet for seating
purposes. Since we have planned to recite Pirith throughout the night,
we expect you to bring the 'Pirith Book' and the 'Pali Sathipattana
Sutta Book' along with you.
May everybody blissfully participate in the grand event at great
Stupa Somawathie where the Tooth Relic (right) of The Most Fortunate One
is deposited! May everybody realise the rarity of the opportunity...!
May your lucky eyes be fortunate enough to witness every single
moment of this special day....! May everybody come forward with devoted
hearts...! May you all get a chance to offer at least a wildflower to
this great Stupa...! May the land that protected the 'Gauthama Buddha
Sasana' be protected forever from terrorism with utmost kindness in
everybody's heart and shine with prosperity with the blessings of this
oblation ceremony...! May everybody feel the freedom and joy in the land
that is full of great Relics with miraculous powers of the Most
Compassionate One, with the great merits of this grand event...! With
the blessings of the merits, may this miraculous Island become a great
wonderful state in the world!!! |