That seems the way of thing. Everyone takes, everyone gives, Life is like that.
– Ah but you are without possessions, how can you give?
Everyone gives what he has. The soldier gives strength, the merchant goods, the teacher instruction, the farmer rice, the fisherman fish.”
What can I give..? Love, Compassion, Knowledge
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Great Walk through Atamasthanaya
"Avidda Paya Dahas Wati" Great walk through Atamasthanaya
Atamasthana ( the 8 holy places) are considered the most important places that a Buddhist pilgrim must visit in Anuradhapura. They are.
Sri Maha Bodhiya
Ruwanweliseya
Thuparamaya
Lovamahapaya
Abhayagiriya
Jethavanaramaya
Mirisavetiya
Lankaramaya
Our guide Osanda who knows the route well took us to all places. Lakmal also joined with me to discover Ancient sites. We stayed at Osanda's relations place that is nearly two kilometers away from ancient site near Bhikku Vishwa Vidaylaya. Our purpose was to conduct a Puja to Sri Maha Bodhi And Ruwanwelisaya.
Simple Puja 21 Lotus flowers and 21 oil lamps ( Three kind of oil , Gee, Sesamy and Coconut oil) Sambrani.Previous evening we conducted the Puja at Sri Maha Bohdi and we visited Isurumuniya temple and went back to Osanda's relations house for dinner and came back to and spent some time during the night at Ruwanwelisaya. Great feeling relaxed our mind. Unfortunately we were allowed to stay till 22:00 hrs (10 pm). I wish they could let it open for 24 hrs.
Following day, after the breakfast we made our journey like old days we start to walk through Atamasthanya.
We started with Ranviru Seya (Sanda Hiru Seya) which is going to be a symbolic Seya (Stupa/Pagoda) for all solders who gave their life for the 30 years war in Sri Lanka. At present in second stage where first three rings were almost completed and the construction on progress by the Army units.
We then walked through the beautiful surrounding towards Mirisavetiya. King Dutugemunu built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara... and he placed the Buddha's relics in the Stupa... In the school we learned that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the Maha Sanga. In order to punish himself he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba.
We had few minutes rest at Basawakkulama Tank and went back to Lovamahapaya great ancient 7 storey building where now you can find only the stone pillars which are alined with each pillar. Imagination required to reconstruct the building.
Ruwanweliseya is the tallest Stupa constructed in Sri Lanka. And highest number of Relics found in this Dagaba. 942 feet diameter with 338 feet height where 24 feet gold plated Ran Kotha (top potion) onside length 465 feet this unique Dagaba also known as Swarnamalee Seya.
Then we walked towards Jethawanaramaya and to Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds).
The structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism; it is also significant in recorded history as one of the tallest structures in the ancient world, the height of the stupa is 400 feet (122 m), making it the tallest stupa in the ancient world. The structure is no longer the tallest, but it is still the largest, with a base-area of 233,000 m2 (2,508,000 sq ft). Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; ( text taken from Wikipedia).
Abhayagiriya
Over the course of 15 years, the Abhayagiri Stupa was fully restored and renovated by the Sri Lankan Central Cultural Fund as a UNESCO project I personally like the structure the view gives a 180 degree where you can see the Udamaluwa and Veli Maluwa at the same time there are no in between construction which obstruct the full view. Highest number of devotees can pray at a time under Abahyagiriya Stupa. One will feel very open atmosphere in this unique open place. During the period of King Walagamba, this was a major monastery site for Mahayana, Thervada and Vajirayana.
Stupa and Aramaya (which is a residential complex for monks) called Thuparamaya.
The Thuparama stupa, built by King Devanampiyatissa, Budhisum was introduced by Ven. Arahat Mahinda thero who could guide King Devanampiyatissa who became first Buddhist King and he built this oldest Stupa in Sri Lanka where Buddha's collarbone Relic placed in this Stupa.
By mid day we managed to return to our rest place where we freshened up and had our late delicious lunch made by Osanda's relation sister and her husband who was very kind to give us accommodation and food. Three of us were gratefull to them for their hospitality. After few hours we took Tuk Tuk to main town where we had Tuk Tuk breakdown and we had to take a another one to main railway station at Anuradhapura. Our train Intercity took us to Colombo with in three and half hours with a comfortable ride.
Thanks to Osanda and his family and Lakmal who was part of this memorable journey
During this journey we never felt as we were three of us We just felt as ONE.....
~Nihal
Atamasthana ( the 8 holy places) are considered the most important places that a Buddhist pilgrim must visit in Anuradhapura. They are.
Sri Maha Bodhiya
Ruwanweliseya
Thuparamaya
Lovamahapaya
Abhayagiriya
Jethavanaramaya
Mirisavetiya
Lankaramaya
Our guide Osanda who knows the route well took us to all places. Lakmal also joined with me to discover Ancient sites. We stayed at Osanda's relations place that is nearly two kilometers away from ancient site near Bhikku Vishwa Vidaylaya. Our purpose was to conduct a Puja to Sri Maha Bodhi And Ruwanwelisaya.
Simple Puja 21 Lotus flowers and 21 oil lamps ( Three kind of oil , Gee, Sesamy and Coconut oil) Sambrani.Previous evening we conducted the Puja at Sri Maha Bohdi and we visited Isurumuniya temple and went back to Osanda's relations house for dinner and came back to and spent some time during the night at Ruwanwelisaya. Great feeling relaxed our mind. Unfortunately we were allowed to stay till 22:00 hrs (10 pm). I wish they could let it open for 24 hrs.
Following day, after the breakfast we made our journey like old days we start to walk through Atamasthanya.
We started with Ranviru Seya (Sanda Hiru Seya) which is going to be a symbolic Seya (Stupa/Pagoda) for all solders who gave their life for the 30 years war in Sri Lanka. At present in second stage where first three rings were almost completed and the construction on progress by the Army units.
 |
| Ranviru Seya (Sanda Hiru Seya) |
 |
| Construction |
 |
| Osanda & me at Ranaviru Seya |
We had few minutes rest at Basawakkulama Tank and went back to Lovamahapaya great ancient 7 storey building where now you can find only the stone pillars which are alined with each pillar. Imagination required to reconstruct the building.
Ruwanweliseya is the tallest Stupa constructed in Sri Lanka. And highest number of Relics found in this Dagaba. 942 feet diameter with 338 feet height where 24 feet gold plated Ran Kotha (top potion) onside length 465 feet this unique Dagaba also known as Swarnamalee Seya.
 |
| Ruwanweliseya |
 |
| Ruwanweliseya |
The structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism; it is also significant in recorded history as one of the tallest structures in the ancient world, the height of the stupa is 400 feet (122 m), making it the tallest stupa in the ancient world. The structure is no longer the tallest, but it is still the largest, with a base-area of 233,000 m2 (2,508,000 sq ft). Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; ( text taken from Wikipedia).
Abhayagiriya
Over the course of 15 years, the Abhayagiri Stupa was fully restored and renovated by the Sri Lankan Central Cultural Fund as a UNESCO project I personally like the structure the view gives a 180 degree where you can see the Udamaluwa and Veli Maluwa at the same time there are no in between construction which obstruct the full view. Highest number of devotees can pray at a time under Abahyagiriya Stupa. One will feel very open atmosphere in this unique open place. During the period of King Walagamba, this was a major monastery site for Mahayana, Thervada and Vajirayana.
 |
| Abhayagiriya |
Stupa and Aramaya (which is a residential complex for monks) called Thuparamaya.
The Thuparama stupa, built by King Devanampiyatissa, Budhisum was introduced by Ven. Arahat Mahinda thero who could guide King Devanampiyatissa who became first Buddhist King and he built this oldest Stupa in Sri Lanka where Buddha's collarbone Relic placed in this Stupa.
By mid day we managed to return to our rest place where we freshened up and had our late delicious lunch made by Osanda's relation sister and her husband who was very kind to give us accommodation and food. Three of us were gratefull to them for their hospitality. After few hours we took Tuk Tuk to main town where we had Tuk Tuk breakdown and we had to take a another one to main railway station at Anuradhapura. Our train Intercity took us to Colombo with in three and half hours with a comfortable ride.
Thanks to Osanda and his family and Lakmal who was part of this memorable journey
During this journey we never felt as we were three of us We just felt as ONE.....
~Nihal
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