| This
article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’,
the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Building of Abhayagiri
- King
Valagamba occupies a significant place in the history of Sinhala
kings. He suffered immense difficulties for a long period of 14
years, for the sake of the country. He is well known for the self-confidence
he possessed. When he became king for the second time, he turned
to be kind and friendly and tried his best to rule the land the
righteous way.
-
One day, when the king was in his bedroom, fast asleep, he heard
a frightening cry announcing, “Maha Kalu Sinhalaya is fleeing
in fear. Maha Kalu Sinhalaya is fleeing in fear”. The king
woke up. Queen Anula too got up, hearing this big commotion. When
the queen asked him what really happened, his reply was that he
had a dream. In his dream, he heard the shouting of the Nigantha,
Giri by name, who made an insulting comment, when he was really
fleeing. It is this that upset him.
-
The queen laughed over it and said, “it is because you keep
all this in your mind. Try to forget it and sleep now”.
The king got back to sleep. The following day, he assembled his
ministers and addressed them thus. “O, ministers, I’m
sure all of you may be knowing the temple of the ‘Niganthas’.
It was built by King Pandukabhaya. Since then, all types of Hindu
priests, resided there. Most of them were priests, who had travelled
from India”.
-
The king went on. “I do not mind them practicing their religion
here. But they should not interfere with the politics of the country.
I notice them helping the foreign invaders by serving as spies.
Their loyalties are with the South Indians. I realized this when
I was ruling from Anuradhapura, last time. I had no time to go
into the matter in detail. It was certainly proved, when I was
fleeing, after losing in battle”.
- “These
Niganthas insulted me that day. When I was passing their temple,
Giri – one of their priests, started saying, “Maha
Kalu Sinhalaya is fleeing in fear”. Then all the others
cheered. They rang the temple bells and rejoiced at my loss. I
feel that this place has become more a political centre than a
religious one. They are scheming against the Sinhalese. I’m
sure this centre was responsible for enabling the rule of seven
commanders. It is dangerous to let it continue. We have to do
something about this”.
- “Dear
ministers, as a true Buddhist, I have given full religious freedom.
I do not intend to change my policy. I’ll continue to support
them when it comes to religious matters. But I will not allow
them to live here and be traitors to the country. So my ministers,
it is time, we demolish this temple of the Niganthas. I shall
build a Buddhist temple there. All of you must assist me in this
matter”.
-
All the ministers agreed to do so. Before long, the temple of
the Niganthas was completely demolished. In its place, was built,
another temple, with 12 halls. This was a historic building and
so the king wanted to name it in a fitting manner. He took ‘Abhaya’
from his name Vattagamini Abhaya, and ‘Giri’, the
name of the Nigantha priest and named it ‘Abhayagiri’.
-
When the construction of this temple was complete, the king wanted
to build a ‘dagoba’ there. Work on the ‘dagoba’
commenced. It was 405 feet tall and 360 feet in circumference.
This dagoba and the accompanying buildings covered an area of
8 acres of land. This stupa was even taller than Ruwanvelisaya.
The dagoba too was named Abhayagiri.
By
Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by
Kamala Silva
Illustrated by
Saman Kalubowila
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