'Sri Maha Bodhi', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The road from the 'Sri Maha Bodhi' to 'Ruwanweli Saeya'.

A view of the top of the 'Ruwanweli Saeya' from the Sri Maha Bodhi'.

'Maha Vihara' Alms hall.

Ruins of the 'Alms hall'.

'Sri Maha Bodhi', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The 'Makara' emblem used to line a stairway of an old building at the site.

 The 'Makara' is described in the Rupavaliya as follows:-
'The makara has the trunk of an elephant, the feet of a lion, the ears of a pig, the body of a fish living in water, the teeth turned outwards, eyes like Hanuman's, and a splendid tail'. -'Mediaeval Sinhalese art' by Ananda K Coomaraswamy (1908)

Water lily flowers awaiting sale to the devotees.

Buds of water lilies.

Flowers on a tree in the premises.

'Sri Maha Bodhi', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The entrance to the site.

An ancient 'Guard-stone' chiselled out of granite..

Devotees offering fresh flowers.

The sacred 'Bo tree' with a fence of gold railings.

After bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda Thero in 250 BC Emperor Asoka in India sent his daughter Theri Sanghamitta to the island with a branch of the Sacred Bodhi obtained from the main stem of the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The king Tissa received the sapling and planted it at the present site in 249 BC. Taking this information to account today (in 2013) the Sri Maha Bodhitree is exactly 2263 years old. Thus this tree is the oldest tree in world in the recorded history. Even after the Anuradhapura was deserted as the capital of the country and encroached by the jungle, pious people nevertheless tendered to the tree effortlessly. The villagers lit bonfires to frighten off wild elephants. As the time went on the villagers made it a habit to collect firewood for the whole year on one single day. This possession was called “Daramiti Perahara” (Firewood Possession) which continues up to this day.

http://amazinglanka.com/wp/sri-maha-bodhi-the-sacred-bo-tree/

Mirisawetiya (ctd), Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

An inscription in stone.

Inscription on a granite block forming the perimeter wall.

Another drawing on a stone block.

The stair-way entrance in stone.

Mirisawetiya, stone artifacts, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Animals in procession.

Part of a 'Guard-stone'.

Lions.

A sacred foot-print used in worship.

The foot-print was one of the earliest items used by followers of Lord Buddha to remember him. This must have been a centre-piece and object of veneration for thousands at that time.

Mirisawetiya Dagoba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The Mirisaveti Stupa is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.^[1] King Dutugamunu built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara. After placing the Buddha relics in the sceptre, he had gone to Tisawewa for a bath leaving the sceptre. After the bath he returned to the place where the sceptre was placed, and it is said that it could not be moved. The stupa was built in the place where the sceptre stood. It is also said that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In order to punish himself he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba. The extent of this land is about 50 acres (20 ha). Although the king Kasyapa I and Kasyapa V renovated this, from time to time it was dilapidated. What stands today is the renovation done by the cultural Triangle Fund.

Web-link:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirisawetiya_Vihara

'Sivura paevareema' ctd., Sri Jaya Bodhi pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The Upasampadaa Bhikkus disembarking from the 'Seema maluwa' float.

Back to the pansala.

Kids enjoying a bath in the artificial pool.

An ice-cream 'dansala' for those who attended the function.

'Sivura paevareema', Sri Jayabodhi Viharaya, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The procession conducting the monks to the site of the ceremony.

The 'confession'.

Getting onto the 'Seemaa maluwa' float.

The donation of the robe.

"Gaathaas' being recited.

Click on the web-link below to view some videos I took and posted on my site, on Youtube.:-

http://youtu.be/hqkMiJGb6Pc

'Sivura paevareema, Sri Jaya Bidhi Vihare, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The road through a rubber estate leading to the site of the ceremony.

The stream dammed up to create a pool for the float. 

Devotees by the side of the pool on which flowers have been sprinkled.

The decorated float.

Decorations made of young coconut leaves and flowers on the float.

The retreat of Buddhist monks during the rainy season of the year is called 'Vas'. The book of 'Vinaya' - rules in the Buddhist canon has rules regarding the observance of 'Vas'. At the end of 'Vas' there is an act called 'Sivuru pavaereema'. This involves the giving of a fresh set of robes to the monk. The robe during the Saakyamuni's presence on earth was made by collecting the clothing covering corpses and from these a patch-work robe was stitched. This was then washed, dyed, allowed to dry and was given to the monk. The present day rituals in Sri Lanka involves laymen buying a white linen cloth, cutting it, making a robe by stitching, washing and dyeing it and then drying it. A special enclosure called a 'Seema maluwa' is made on land or water. The priests taking part in the ceremony have to confess of any transgressions made to another monk of 'Upasampadaa' rank. If there are no transgressions demanding dismissal - 'Paaraajika' - the monks are led to the enclosure. The monks then do the donation of the robe ceremonially, reciting the appropriate 'Gaathas'. No one else is allowed to enter this 'Seema maluwa' other than monks holding a rank post 'Upasampadaa'.

The above are some of the scenes of preparation for this event held for the Chief Monk, Rev Gonagala Somaloka, at the Jayabidhi Vihara, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

These traditions have been observed in Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years.

Click on the web-link below to view some videos I took and posted on my site, on Youtube.:-

http://youtu.be/hqkMiJGb6Pc

Stone carvings, Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The boulder with the Foot-print on top.

The ascent.

The Foot-print.

View from the top of the boulder

Photo of Isurumuniya taken in the 1950s by Mr.Jayaratne of Puwakpitiya, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Stairways and doorway made of granite, Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The stairways and doorway leading on to the top of the rock at Isuruminiya.