Buddama Raja Maha Vihara

Buddama Raja Maha Vihara
බුද්දම රජ මහා විහාරය
Basic information
Location Buddama, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates 07°02′28.4″N 81°29′20.4″E / 7.041222°N 81.489000°E / 7.041222; 81.489000Coordinates: 07°02′28.4″N 81°29′20.4″E / 7.041222°N 81.489000°E / 7.041222; 81.489000
Affiliation Buddhism
District Monaragala
Province Uva Province
Heritage designation Archaeological protected monument (22 November 2002)[1]
Architectural description
Architectural type Buddhist Temple
Architectural style Cave temple
Completed 3rd century BC

Buddama Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhalaː බුද්දම රජ මහා විහාරය) is a historic Cave temple in Buddama village, Monaragala district, Sri Lanka.[2] Buddama is a rural village lying off Siyambalanduwa town and known as one of early settlements in the country. Currently the temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.[3]

History

According to the facts from great chronicle Mahawamsa and the inscriptions found in the Vihara premises, Buddama temple was built in the third century BC. It also has been recorded in Uva Viharawamsa, a chronicle about important Buddhist centers in the Uva province which describes that Buddama was worshiped by early Buddhists. Before the advent of Buddhism to the country during the Anuradhapura period the temple is said to be a vocational training center for local craft men before it become a Buddhist monastery.

The temple has been received royal patronage by kings time to time as mentioning in the inscriptions found in Vihara premises and other outside references. According to the Vihara inscriptions, southern regional king Udaya I (883 – 896) has donated villages to the temple during his reign and King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) has created administrative divisions centering the Buddama Temple. Renovations to the temple has been carried out by Sri Wickrama Rajasingha (1747 – 1781) in Kandyan perid.[4]

Murals

The temple is composed of more than 20 caves. The main rock cave of the temple is drip ledged and not very high. It houses many mural paintings and sculptures belonging to Kandyan style.[5] The entrance is decorated with a Makara Thorana (Dragon's Arch) built of clay. Inside the main chamber, a reclining Buddha statue with several seated Buddha statues are visible. The main Buddha Statue is believed to have been constructed by King Rajadhi Rajasingha.[6] The canopy of the cave is decorated with various floral designs with the walls depicting Buddhist Jathaka stories.

Vihara inscriptions

Buddama cave inscription

Period: 3rd BC-1st centuries AD, Script: Early Brahmi, Language: Old Sinhala
Content: "This inscription records donation of a cave to Buddhist Sangha by a teacher named Gupta, the grand son of the village councilor Vasabha and the son of Sumana"

References

  1. ↑ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1264. 22 November 2002.
  2. ↑ "Buddama Raja Maha Viharaya". tourty.com. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Protercted Monument List 2012-12-12" (PDF). Department of Archaeology. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Monaragala Buddama Rajamaha Viharaya – බුද්දම රජමහා විහාරය". Amazinglanka. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Perera, Chaminda (3 July 2013). "Buddhama cave temple facing destruction". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  6. ↑ Wijesinghe, Mahil (11 August 2013). "Rich tapestry of Buddhist heritage". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 20 January 2017.
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