The Abhayagiri Vihara complex is one of the most important temples in Anuradhapura. It is the largest monastery complex in Anuradhapura. Many interesting monuments of the Abhayagiri complex are located in Anuradhapura.
The Abhayagiri Vihara complex covers an area of 500 acres. 109 BCE to AD Vattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba), who ruled till 77, is considered the founder of Abhayagiri. According to legends, Giri alias Giri, formerly on this land, insulted King Vatagamini Abhaya (Walagamba) by fleeing the city under threat from invaders. It was built to pay homage to King Mahavihariya Kupikkala Maha Tissa who later ruled the Watagammani Sanctuary and destroyed the monastery of the humiliated Giri Nigandaya. He has accepted this monastery. Tissa Thero has privately confessed that the monks of the Maha Vihara had expelled him and expelled him from the Maha Vihara. So a Buddhist monk from Tissa Thero left the temple with large followers and went to the Abhayagiri monastery. This is the first conflict in Sri Lanka.
A group of monks have come to Abhayagiri by a monk named Dhammaruchi in India to preach a religion that is not compatible with Theravada. They are known as the Dhammaruchi sect because of their acceptance of the Dhammaruchi sect. Abhayagiri Vihara is the epicenter of Mahayana Buddhism in Sri Lanka. In the fourth century King Mahasen destroyed the Maha Vihara and rebuilt the Abhayagiri. Accordingly, by the 5th century, the Abhayagiri group was said to have had about 5,000 monks. The Abhayagiri Devalaya was in a very strong place as it had the relics and bowl relics.
Stupa, Bodhigaya, Pohoya Gaya, Pada Pirivena, Pirivena, Habitat, Habitat, Ponds, Bs, Herbs, etc., have all the elements needed for a main Devalaya.
It is important to visit the Abhayagiri Museum before visiting the Abhayagiri Vihara complex, which is spread over a very large area. A large number of antiquities found during excavations at the Abhayagiri complex are on display. It also gives you an overview of the places to visit.
The Abhayagiri Dagaba is the largest construction of the Abhayagiri complex. It is the second largest stupa built in Sri Lanka. According to Fa-Hsien’s transit record, it was dated to BC. The Gamini Abhaya (Walagamba) was built around the first century and is located on a silk footpath to the north of the city.
It is said that the Abhayagiri Stupa was built by Gajabahu I, and that the Watagammani Sanctuary was built by King Gajabahu I, and it was renovated by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century.
Abhayagiri Dagaba is believed to be the relic of Dhamma, Sutta or Buddha statues. (Several eagle-looking lead plates of the National Museum of Colombo were found in the Abhayagiri premises up to the 9th century AD)
The Dagaba is 310 feet in diameter. Height is not specified. One says it is 180 cubits. Fahian’s reports say it was 400 feet. In the early days, the stupa was a stupa and a stone. The Dagoba seems to have shrunk after the seventh century reforms. In these reforms, instead of the age and dawn, the goddess, rebellion and tower were added. They are now said to be about 245 feet high. Its length is 585 feet. That is about 8 acres. There are still ponds and drainage channels to get down to such a large courtyard. There is an elephant wall outside the mine. There are 4 doors in the four directions. To the left of the west gate is a stone bridge. It is a sand courtyard about 95 feet wide. The Dagoba are four slavecards. These are decorated with engravings, carvings, carvings and figures. In the courtyard, there are still parts of the stupa buried in the stupa. The courtyard has a cellar and a flower seat designed as a lotus flower.
The architectural features of the excavated buildings of the Abhayagiri Vihara clearly reflect the social beliefs and religious practices of the time. Although Buddhism was the state religion and the dominant religion of the majority of the population, the influence of other indigenous beliefs, especially Hinduism, was considerable and was expressed in the architecture of the time. For example, the design of the gates reveals the habit of placing buildings under the protection of a guardian deity.
The two slabs built on either side of the stairway leading to a building are called guard stones. They are usually carved, but simple protective stones have also been found. Among the Hindu symbols depicted on these stones, the most common is the image of Nagaraja alias the human king Cobra, besides the Pot of Abundance and Kalvarvaksa. The finest example of this, and one of the finest defenses ever found, was found in the Abhayagiri Rathnaprasadaya, and reflects the degree of perfection achieved by the Abhayagiri sculptors. It shows the abundance of lotus and punkala. The representation of the lotus flower in agricultural societies is important because it symbolizes the daughters of the goddess of protection in the rain. The elephant image of the Eth Pokuna is also a symbol of water.
The beautiful statues on either side of the entrance to the Abhayagiri Stupa provide a good example of this. The head of one statue is the garment of the head, and the other is the lotus. Representing the two main treasures of Kuevara, Sankha and Padma, they are believed to have been constructed to prevent any evil or danger that might threaten the Stupa or its land.
The best example of a moonstone which is a unique creation of Sri Lankan sculptors can be seen at the foot of the Panchavasa, commonly known as Mahasena’s palace. A miniature example, like that of a carving, was found near the Queen’s Pavilion. They vary in shape and size and are made of a variety of stones, all of which are excellent artworks. According to Paranavitana, the moon symbolizes the moon, the endless cycle of rebirth, and the path to freedom from the forum process that leads to Nirvana. He defines the outer ring pattern as a flame, and the various animals shown in other concentric circles as the successive stages in which humans pass through the forum.
Anuradhapura is one of the most important sacred sites and the Buddhist history of Sri Lanka should be learned and protecte this place for future generations.
