Vedic myth and Buddhist iconography
View(s):The 108th session of the monthly lecture series of the National Trust Sri Lanka, titled – “An interpretation of some Vedic mythology and their influence on Buddhist iconography” will be given by Professor Nimal De Silva. It will be held at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26.
The oldest Ganapathi sculpture of 3rd Century AD is found in Kantaka Chatiya at Mihintale. All the early Buddhist Masters, Arahaths or not, were originally Hindus. They had mastered all Hindu Puranas and Vedas. They would have explained, interpreted and adopted many things with this Hindu background.
Hindu gods were transcendent down to Bodhisatvas as exhibited in iconographic forms of Buddhist sculpture. This development especially with the Buddhist Triad can be brought under two families, the Lotus family and Vajra family.
Professor Nimal de Silva is the Honorary President of the National Trust, an Emeritus Professor of Architecture, University of Moratuwa.
Further information can be obtained from the Trust Office by calling 2682730 / 0778081214.