The 'moon-stone'

A piece of granite worked in concentric circles is seen used as the first step in various important buildings situated in the area named the 'cultural triangle' of Sri Lanka. These pictures were taken by me from Polonnoruwa, Sri Lanka. The concentric circles are said to represent the various stages in the evolution of a being ending in the central area of liberation. The intriguing question is why a sacred symbol like this is used as a door-step. Therein lies a bit of history according to some. The philosophies which deviated from the Southern Theravada doctrines of Buddhism had used these symbols. When the Southern doctrines got the upper hand it is said, that these acts were done, to denigrate the 'heretical vaithulyavada sects'.