Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.


The top of the rock where the Sacred Footprint is worked in stone.

In the early days after the passing away of Lord Buddha, Lord Buddha did not have any statues made of him. Since he went away 'to nothingness' only objects reminding him were used by devotees. Representation of foot-prints, an empty chair, an umbrella etc were used by devotees to be reminded of the 'Thathagatha'. The 'Foot-print' was used extensively. Thus 'Isurumuniya' one of the earliest places of Buddhism in ancient Sri Lanka, had this. The 'Foot-print' is still found on the top of this rock in present Isurumuniya.

Old rock cuttings used to ascend the rock.

The enclosed site of the ancient Foot-print.

A view of the pool from the top of the rock.