Showing posts with label Buduruwagala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buduruwagala. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Buduruwagala, Wellawaya, Sri Lanka.

Close to Wellawaya situated in shrub jungle is this massive rock on which there are some Mahayanist Buddhist carvings. In the center is a massive figure of the Buddha. On the Buddhas right are Avalokiteswara and two consorts. On the left of Avalokiteswara the Bodhisatwa is the bare breasted Tara in the 'three bends' pose (Thivanka). On the right of Avalokiteswara is Sudhanakumara.The identity of the figures on the left of the Buddha are thought to be of another Bodhisattwa - ?Vajrapani. There are some iconic indications here of Tibetan Buddhist influence. These images are the finest example of Mahayana culture in Sri Lanka and are estimated to be more than a thousand years old. These are the omitted chapters in our traditional Theravada chronicles.