The history of Buddhangala runs to period akin to the Digamadulla Kingdom, which was in the northern part of Rohana. The Aryans of the Shakya Family in the Eastern parts of India were the people who colonized Digamadulla. It was Prince Dighayu, a brother of Bhaddakachchana who started the colony of Digamadulla. It was his son Dighagamini, who married Chitra, the sister of the brothers who were the heirs of Rajarata. The two provinces of the country became united after Dighagamini brought Chitra to Digamadulla. We must not forget that Lord Buddha visited “ Digha nakha” (Dighavapi chetiya) in one of his visits to Shri lanka.
These incidents took place before the introduction of Buddhism to the country. The next mention about Digamadulla is when saddhatissa, the brother of Dutthagamani was sent there for the cultivation of the area. Though chronicles say it this way, the inscription of Digamadulla, reveals that its history goes back to Mahanaga and his sons, Yatalatissa and Gotabaya. Though according to chronicles, Gotabhaya was the son of Yatalatissa, inscriptions reveal that both of them were brothers being the sons of uparaja Mahanaga.
When Gotabhaya was ruling at Magama, Kavantissa was administering Digamadulla. As Dutthagamani rose against his father, Kavantissa who was at Magama, the former had to flee to Kotmale allowing Saddhatissa to control Digamadulla. It was he who was more established at the place.
In an inscription I found at Madenakanda in Ampara, Digamadulla was known as “Pochina-rajaya” (The Eastern Kingdom) in the pre Common Eras. Saddhatissa's mother is knoun there as “Abi Savera, the mother of Pachina bumi raja”. My finding corroborates with Paranavitana's idea avout her. The Eastern Province today belonged to the “Eastern kingdom” of the Pre Common Centuries and it was the area stretched from Mahaveli to Kumbukkan Oya, that was a pure Sinhala kingdom. The Eastern kingdom came into prominence in the time of Saddhatissa.
An inscription belonging to the Pre Common Centuries bears the name “Degavapi porana”. This was found close to Dighavapi. Porana means “town”. This inscription further says of a merchant. We can conclude that the Dighavapi area was a flourishing trade centre during the Pre Common times. Saddhatissa who came here, not only sowed paddy in the area, but also the Sinhala Buddhist culture. It can be seen well from inscriptions and other Buddhist ruins in places like Samanagala, Rajagala and Ilukpitiya. Many commentaries of the early centuries relate glorious stories about the religious and cultural development, during the period of Saddhatissa. The periods of Saddhatissa and after words his sons, were more prosperous than the period before him. Therefore we can, with much veneration and respect from all classes of people.
In studying the history of Buddhangala the following sources come to our help:
- Caves with drip ledges
- Other stone architecture and sculpture
- Bricks with and without inscriptions
- Coins and other treasures
- Clay vessels-and
- Inscriptions.
“Buddhangala” cannot be an ancient name. How the place came to be known in that name is difficult to assert. The rock at a distance resembles a Buddha statue in sleeping posture. The Tamils and Muslims name it as “Buddhan-Kalei”. Present devotees may have used the same term in devotion.
Though a name cannot be found, we are sure of its existence from Pre Common times. The inscriptions on the cave brow represent that of the earliest style. The two words “Karajikagala vahike” are transliterated by some as Karandahela Vihara, but “Karajikagala” is not a word that belongs to any other language. It is a pure sinhala word. Further speaking “Gala” and “Hela” are two different words. Also the word “Vahike” cannot be taken as “Vahirake” thinking that the scribe dropped a letter thinking that the scribe dropped a letter while inscribing. There fore I am of opinion that “vahike” is “Villager”. It is there fore not so doubtful to take Karajikahala as the former name of this place.”Digatiha” in the document is Dighiti in Pali.
The donor in the second inscription is Sujata. He is the son of Uttiya. Both were “Chief” (Parumaka) Uttiya is an Accountant (Ayaka). He is the accountant of Chitradevi. It is not certain whether ”Devi” is an epithet. If it is so this the first time I saw the word with the name following the word Chitra; thus giving her a title to be a queen. The fact that a “Parumaka” becoming an officer under a “Devi” also proves that “Chitra” to be a lady of the royalty.
The third inscription tells of a son named Digamita, his father being a member of a village council (Gamika) It is unfortunate that the inscription is not in proper order. Gut the names, the three inscriptions give:-Chitadevi, Digati and Digamita, are of immense value, as they take us back to the period of the early founders of Digamadulla-Dighayu, Dighagamani and Chitra. It is up to future scholars to prove that Buddhangala is a place found by these early rulers of a Shakya family.
The Bricks used for some buildings suggest that some of the belong to the pre Common era. It is certain that the monastery was in very advanced condition during the 6 th and 7 th centuries.The letters we findd in various sizes of bricks fall into the above said periods. The circular shaped bricks cannot be of the stupa. They can b3long to a building of small size.
The small presemtations belong to one particular period. The two plain moonstones suggest it. Similar moonstones are found at Situlpavva, Monaragala and Rajahala. The moonstone with the lotus flower design, said earlier, can belong to the 6 th century. The guard stones and the balustrades can be of the same age.
The clay works, coins and other exhibits need further examination. The golden casket found here deserve much attention. If is up to learned and experienced scholars to compare this with the casket found at the Kotavehera at Dalivala.
The Buddhangala relic casket, with a pinnacle and square portion (Devata Kotu) can also be compared with such a one found at Mihintale. The sculptural work in this resembles that of the 5 th Century. But the Brahmi letters inscribed in the golden bo-leaves belong to early centuries. Both Prof. Paranavitana and Dr. Saddhamangala Karunaratna have given their ideas about these. The practice of inscribing letters in relic caskets was in vogue in Indian too. The sanchi and Sonari caskets bear inscriptions as “Sapuripasa”, “Kasapa Gotasa” “Sapurisa”, Samajjamasa” etc.
How the relics of the two principal disciples came here is not recorded any where. Even the right Tooth Relic of the Buddha and the relics of Ven. Mahakasspa have no evidence of coming here. We can presume that they were for some time owned by responsible personalities and had them in their private custody and later given to be enshrined. A stupa in which the relics of Ven. Mahinda and Ven. Itthiya were enshrined is found in Rajagala close to this place. An inscription also proves this fact. It is no doubt that people of Dighamadulla had a high respect to these great missionaries, and also it can be ascertained that they visited this area during their life times. At a time of one of their visits they may have presented Lord Buddha,s relics to the shrine at Buddhangala. The relics at Krajikagala (or recent Buddhangalacan be these. There is information in chronicles to prove this fact.
The founder of the Vatadage (The circular relic house) is unknown up to date. But a philosophical idea that he had, when he started constructions can be forwarded here. The central lotus flower in the casket to be of a height more than the two by the sides reveals that the Buddha always headed the priesthood. The stupa, the terrace and the rock that bore it represent the Maha Meru mountain.
The status of the four guardian gods were found among the rubble at the door steps of the Vatadage. The plaque with the elephant carving was on the Eastern side door step. It proves the architectural customs of the past. We can believe the other symbols were correctly on the other sides. Therefore it proves the idea of guardian gods.
Four statuettes of the four animals we see in Anuradhapura moon stones, were found by Mr. H. C. P. Bell at the Vijayarama. They were buried at the four entrances of the sides they claim to own by tradition. Thus-elephant = east, horse = north, lion = south, bull = west. The foru grardian gods also protect these sides. In describing the universe, Buddhist tradition says that the four directions with animals.
To descrive thes philosophy, The “Triple Gem” (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) shines on the “Maha Meru” Mountain. Any evil force that comes towards is stopped by the Guardian Gods protecting the four directions. The un-ending blessings of the Triple Gem floats over the four directions. It is the call of the world.
Devotees always had ideas of this nature. Shri Ramachandra Kavya Bharati who came to Kotte from Gauda, saluted the Stupa with a votive phrase of this nature. The inscription at Tiriyaya gives a picturesque presentation of how the venerable place should be respected.
Buddhangala is said to be situated in the “Malavatthu” area mentioned in chronicles belonging to the Polonnaruwa period. Mr. Codrington is of opinion that Malavatthu was to the west of present Dadayamtalava. The Mahavansa states that Parakuramabahu Great had his wars in the area of Malavatthu. An inscription at Rajagala mentions a place called “Malatte”. A small area close to Buddhangala is known today as Malvatta. These await more research.
It is sad to say that non Buddhist elements ravage this sacred area, in the name of agriculture. Terrorism too is affected in recent years. Some recent buildings used by pilgrims are in dilapidated conditions. Valuable tress are cut down. The many acres that were allotted to the game sanctuary are encroached by non Sinhala people with the help of political leaders.
Not only the Sinhala people or the Buddhists, but lovers of Archaeology and culture should thank the present incumbent high priest for the self – less courage he has taken to open to the world a wonderful culture that was once flourishing in the east of the country.
Interesting article. Keep Up......
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