Thursday, November 28, 2013

'Sri Maha Bodhi', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The entrance to the sacred site of the Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Stairway entrance with a 'guard-stone' on either side.


'Moon-stone' at the bottom of the stair-way.

'Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Sinhala:ජය ශ්රි මහා බොධිය) is a Sacred Fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the southern branch from the historical Bodhi tree Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BC,[1][2][3][4] and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.[5] Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world.

The other fig trees that surround the sacred tree protect it from storms and animals such as monkeys, bats, etc....'. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaya_Sri_Maha_Bodhi

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Mirisawetiya (ctd), Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.


A wash basin made of granite.

Stone-cuttings.

A wall of granite blocks.

One of the four entrances to the Dagoba.
The size of the Dagoba and the work done in stone and baked clay is simply amazing.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Mirisawetiya Dagoba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.






'Mirisawetiya was the first dagaba built by the great king Dutugamunu. Great King Dutugamunu built the mirisa wetiya in 161 -137 BC and united Sri Lanka under one flag. Sri lankans believed that King Dutugamunu had a sceptre that contained a sacred relic of the Buddha. While going to the tank "Tissawewa", for a water festival, the King has planted the scepter in a certain place. When he came back, it is said that his men could not remove the sceptre from the place. Witnessing the miracle, the King decided to build a dagaba enclosing the scepter. Thus was the creation of Mirisawetiya. The significance of the sceptre is the fact that this was the king's "victory sceptre" for his battles with Elara, and by building the Dagaba around it shows the tremendous dedication that the King had for Buddhism and his spirituality'. 

'There are several believes about the Mirisavetiya name and most populer belive is. It is a custom among Buddhists whenever food is partaken, some of it is symbolically offered to the holy monks. In Sinhala, "Mirisaweitiya" comes from "Miris-Wetiya", which means a pod of Chillie. It is rumored that the King once forgot to offer a pod of chillie to the Monks before eating . As a token of apology, it is said that the King named the Dagaba "Mirisawetiya"' – Web-link:-

Sunday, November 24, 2013

'Sivura paevareema' Ctd., Sri Jaya Bhodhi Vihare, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Sivura paevareema' - Donating the robe.

The monks leaving the site.

The kids jump into the pool.

An ice-cream 'dansala'