A miracle in stone

By Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

“The serene and soothing teachings of the Supreme Buddha go a long way to dispel the evils of hatred, ignorance and craving that mar the intrinsic beauty of the human mind. This colossal statue of the Buddha, hewn out of the living rock, by Indian craftsmen, will strengthen the perennial spiritual ties that link our two nations into an eternal brotherhood.”

- Former High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka Nirupama Rao

Work in full swing

Do you believe in miracles?

I will give you a stunningly solid reason why you should.

Just 12 years ago, Rambodagalla, in the vicinity of Kurunegala, was merely the site of a traditional Buddhist educational institution known as Monaragala Pirivena. Though this centre of learning possesses a somewhat long history, its public profile was not that high about a decade ago.

Worldwide attention

Today, however, this location has begun to attract worldwide attention. The solid granite rock that was a natural feature of this area had remained silent, passive and unrecognised for millions (or may be for billions) of years, braving the tortures inflicted by the relentless vagaries of fluctuating weather. Within the last two decades, this giant rock was sliced by expert craftsmen, and out of its stony heart, a serene, compassionate Samadhi Buddha, in tranquil meditation, has emerged, as the tallest stone Samadhi Buddha statue of Sri Lanka.

In just 10 years of conventional time - that is about one billionth of a second in terms of universal chronology - the huge granite boulder turned into a Samadhi Buddha image.

This indeed is a miraculous transformation. What else could it be, than an overwhelming miracle?

This major miracle is a synthesis of a series of other ancillary miracles. All these subsidiary stories, accumulating into a major episode of epic stature, form an enticing human chronicle.

The colossal statue

Strangely enough, it all began with yet another dramatic transformation.

On March 16, 2001, an excruciatingly tragic event took place, that shocked – not only the Buddhist world, but also all those truly humane, human beings to the deepest core of their inner being. This heinous crime was the destruction of the giant Buddha statues of Afghanistan’s Bamian Valley – using explosives.

A crowd of people who were uncontrollably agitated by this devastating news rushed to the Buddhist Learning Centre at Rambodagalla. Articulating the seething fury of the crowds, a young child screamed: “We too will embark on a destructive spree.”

At this point, Ven. Egodamulle Amaramoli Maha Thera brought the people back to their immortal Buddhist senses. Calmly, in quiet subdued tones, he explained to them the compassionate teachings of the Buddha: “Dear children, in the long history of Buddhism, we have been attacked many times. But, we never attacked in return. Our Buddhist response is not to resort to violence. We will be compassionate.

“Let us build, not only one, but several statues of the Buddha, if possible.” Then the Ven. Thera added dramatically: “If we can, let us build a Buddha statue out of this very rock.”

Agitated people

He said this, pointing to the giant rock-boulder. His serene words quietened the agitated people into determined compassion.

The holy transformation does not end there.

A couple of months later, on the day of the Vesak festival, some children brought to the Ven. Thera, several bags filled with coins – saying, “This is the money we collected for the building of the stone Samadhi Buddha statue.” Their childish contribution amounted to Rs.1,358. Historically, this was the first contribution to the Fund for the Building of the Samadhi Buddha Statue out of the rock.

An initial sketch for the statue

Ven. Egodamulle Amaramoli Maha Thera, inspired by his spiritual dream, steadily exerted himself, enduring all the obstacles and privations, and has now nearly scaled the peak of his epic effort. This frail-looking bhikkhu marked out a goal, and unfazed by all the ordeals, he has now come to a point where he sees the target within his reach.

His aim was to carve a 67.5 foot tall Samadhi Buddha statue out of the living rock. But, who could convert this ambitious dream into reality?

This pioneering bhikkhu has been singularly fortunate, from his initial step on. Through a form of divine guidance, as it were, his steady devotee and unfailing supporter has been Head of Eswaran Brothers D. Eassuwaren.

This dedicated humanist is an ardent Hindu. He was primarily instrumental in obtaining the expert services of Master Stone Sculptor of India, Bharatha Padma Shri Muttiah Sthapathi. Although his ancestors had participated in the sculptural works at Gadaladeni Vihara, Sthapathi had not executed any Buddha sculptures before.

Stapathi renders his services entirely free. This is the first and last Buddha sculpture he will create. He has characterised this Samadhi Buddha sculpture as his ‘masterpiece’.

The Indian sculptors at this site exert themselves with an exemplary selflessness. They are happy collaborating with local artisans.

Spiritual aura

The work on this legendary, colossal Samadhi Buddha Statue was initiated on September 13, 2002.

Today, this site possesses an unmistakable spiritual aura. The workers are busy, creating the pedestal and the pond in front of the statue.

From early on, this effort received the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He not only visited the site, but also took part in the work, by using the chisel briefly to chip away at the sculpture.

The late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was very much among the initial supporters of this stupendous project. MP Karu Jayasuriya has been another constant visitor to the rock statue.

Ven. Egodamulle Amaramoli Maha Thera, D. Eassuwaren and Bharatha Padma Shri Muttiah Sthapathi

Those who are keen to imbibe the thrill of an unparalleled religious tour must make it a point to visit this site. The view is unforgettable. The way a gloriously proportioned statue of the Buddha has been hewn out of the solid rock will invariably fill you with a deep sense of religious awe.

This is the first time, after a lapse of about eight long centuries, that a colossal stone Buddha statue is being sculpted. The story of this Buddhist creative triumph should be meticulously recorded, not only for the benefit of generations to come, but also for the enlightenment of the contemporaries.

When I had the privilege of visiting this site, as the guest of the Head of DSI Nandadasa Rajapaksa, I could not help but feel that I had stepped into those bygone historical eras of Sri Lanka, when such stupendous edifices were structured under royal decree. We could re-live the glorious past of our Sri Lankan Buddhist cultural traditions, at the Rambodagalla Rock Statue site. (The other guest with us was Dr. Leel Gunasekera).

This is a world-renowned Buddhist monument. Simultaneously, it is a monument that upholds the compassionate power of non-hatred which is central to the eternal teachings of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha. That way, the colossal Samadhi Buddha Statue at Rambodagalla teaches the lesson of loving kindness to those who are driven by a ceaseless angst.