Sri Sankhapala Raja Maha Vihara:

A Buddhist shrine with dual significance

by Nivanthi THILAKARATNE

Pussadeva, a warrior of king Dutugemunu (161-131 BC) was famous as an excellent archer. After winning the war against Elara, King Dutugemunu had given gifts who contributed to the victory. Pallebedda village was gifted to Pussadeva. However Pussadeva was ordained as a bhikkhu. Later he achieved the state of Arahantship.

According to folklore Pussadeva resided at Sri Sankapala Vihara at Pallebedda and had gifted the vihara to the Maha Sangha. The archaeological remains in the vihara substantiate the claim. A Brahamin inscrisption can be seen in the cave of the vihara even today.

According to the Brahamin inscription the cave had been gifted to the Maha Sangha by Pussadeva. Although names of Pussadeva and his father had been mentioned in the inscription, his father’s name has been erased with the passage of time.

Another archaeological evidence is the emblem of a conch shell carved in one of the caves of the vihara. The emblem of the conch shell was used to identify Pussadeva because he was good at blowing it.

The vihara is known today as ‘Sankapala’ because of the conch shell. In Sinhala ‘Sanka’ means ‘conch shell’. According to folklore the conch shell of Pussadeva had been treasured in a rock of the place.

Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Vihara is at Pallebedda in the Ratnapura district. The vihara can be seen near the 24th milepost at Ratnapura - Hambantota main road. Sankapala Vihara stands majestically on a rocky mountain. The ruins of ancient buildings, a stupa, a Bo tree and many caves are the main features of the vihara.

There are ruins of a small stupa around three quarter mile away from the vihara. This can be seen when you travel from the vihara towards Pallebedda along Ratnapura - Hambantota main road. The stupa had been constructed in a square platform. It is believed that Pussadeva had been cremated there.

Another significant event related to Sankapala Vihara was the story of Karatota Dharmarama thera during the Kandyan period, king Rajadhi Rajasinghe arrested Karatota Dharmarama Thera as the king had suspected him of having close contact with the Dutch.

When Karatota Dharmarama Thera was in prison he wrote a book in verse form named Bharasa Kavya Gharbha Chakraya. He presented it to the king through Aththaragama Rajaguru Bandara. Although the king sent the book to all scholars in Senkadagala, no one was able to comprehend it. After that the king ordered Karatota Dharmarama Thera to bring the book to the (Raja Sabawa) to discuss its contents.

After the king understood the Bharasa verse he was pleased.

The king bestowed Karatota Dharmarama Thera Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Vihara and Pallebedda village in 1786 in appreciation of his literary work.

The extent of the land exceeded 13,000 acres. Even today the Bharasa verse can be seen in the vihara. It is also known as Bara Nama Gaba Saka. In Sinhala Literature it is a rare kind of creation.

The Disa flag, Vatapatha and a golden statue of the Buddha were among the gifts that were given by the king to Karatota Dharmarama Thera.

The sun and moon had been drawn on the Disa flag. The Vatapatha with a handle of ivory was covered with a red satin cloth. The standing gold statue of the Buddha is eight inches in height.

There is another statue of the Buddha made of ivory. An ola-leaf manuscript, that expressed his gratitude to the king is a significant item in the vihara. Karatota Dharmarama Thera was also elevated as the viharadhipathi of Sri Pada and low country Sangha Nayake.

There are 14 caves around the vihara, Kataram had been carved on many caves to drain off rain water. Three caves among them have been transformed as shrine rooms. One cave, 78x34ft and 18ft high facing the West and has been divided into two caves by a wall. A picture of the stupa had been engraved beneath the kataram.

The cave, situated east of the rock, is 20ft long, 20ft wide and 10ft in height. In this cave there is a Devala devoted to God Katharagama. Another cave is close to the tombstone of the Pussadeva. It is known as Thapas Guhawa