TRINCOMALEE

Seruvila Royal Buddhist Temple (Raja Maha Vihara)

An ancient Royal Patronage Buddhist Temple situated at close proximity to west side of Ullackalie Lagoon in Trincomalee district in Eastern province of Sri Lanka.

There can be reached by several ways. From Tricomalee 44 km towards south on A15 national roadway and then B347 (By B347 50kms) or the next road after the B347 towards south. From Kantale is about 51 km on B10 roadway towards east for Seruvila. From Polonnaruwa is about 121km by A11 roadway towards east and then A15 roadway towards north. From Batticaloa just 97km by A15 strait towards north.  

What is enshrined in the Stupa (Pagoda) - The sacred forehead relic of Lord Buddha.

History

The King kawantissa of Ruhuna in 2^nd century BC, received the sacred relic for his custody and patronage through the linage of his royal ancestors.  By the wish of Lord Buddha the King brought the Relic from Magampura to the present premises at the border of ‘’Seru Lake’’ where close by the Rock cave ‘’Waraha’’ on the right bank of Mahaweli River.

The records of ancient chronicles such as Pali Nȧlata Dhatuwansa, Jinakalamali, Sinhala Dhatuwansa explains that, The Lord Gauthama Buddha has visited here with five hundred Arahath (enlightened) monks on his 3^rd visit to Sri Lanka in the 8^th year after become the Great Buddha hood. The Buddha has explained his disciples of historic relations of the place, where former three Buddha hood of this aeon Kukusandha, Konagama and Kashayapa Buddha’s relic were enshrined here in Mangala Vihara. The Buddha and the 500 disciples were sat down there in Samadhi positioned for some time and ordered to have his own relic here at the same place in the future. After the ending Samadhi meditation Buddha has given orders to the Naga King ‘’Sumana’’ who came together with Buddha to look after the place. Since then the King Sumana has started dwelling in the area with his huge force. Having heard the story, mother of the King Sumana ‘’Queen Indaka’’ of Naga dynasty arrived here with her 12000 ladies of Naga dynasty to support her son.

The story of relic

Buddha has attended Nibbana after 45 years of Great salvation given to billions of people. He took his last breath at the Sala Grove of King Malla of Kusinara. The Kings has organized the cremation ceremony at the Grove lifting a sandal wood crematorium to keep the Buddha’s body. After the cremation were able collect eight Kurunis (kind of large bowl) of sacred relics.

Sometime later King Ajasatta, King Lechchavi and five other Kings were demanding a war against King Malla to have the sacred Relics of Buddha for themselves. Having heard the bad news the teacher of King Malla Wiseman ‘’Dhrona’’ were able to prevent the situation controlling Kings to come to a peaceful decision dividing Relics in to eight portions. All the Kings were happy to share Sacred Relics and the sacred forehead Relic was in the portion of King Malla.

Arahath Maha kashapa Thera come to know the wish of Buddha hood, he explain divine wish to the King, there is going to built a Mangala Maha Vihara in Lanka dveepa on the right banks of the Mahaweli river by the King Kavantissa. Therefore the forehead relic is needed to be there to complete the mission. For that purpose I demanded the relic of forehead. And then Maha Kashapa ordered his student Thera ‘’Mahananda’’ to carry the relic up to the Mahavana Vihara at Visala Maha Nuwara where the Buddha hood lived at his last journey. He continued venerations and daily offerings until his last breath at the same temple. At his last he was demanded his fellow Thera ‘’ Chandragupta’’ to continue venerations. Thera Chandragupta had taken the relic to Jethavana Vihara at Sevath Nuvara to continue the venerations and daily offerings where the Buddha hood used to live earlier. At the end of his life he was asking his fellow Thera ‘’Baddhasean’’ to continue the rituals. He has taken the relic to Isipatana Rama temple where Buddha has preached the Damsak Pawathum Sutra* and then his fellow Thera ‘’Jayasena’’ keep continue the rituals at Veluwana  Ramaya Temple. Likewise his fellow Thera ‘’Sangarakkita’’ continue to do the rituals at Poshita Ramaya in Kosamba Nuwara. At lasts his fellow Thera Mahadeva taken care of the relic for deliver to Lanka dveepa.

It was the reign of King Devanampiyatissa and his younger brother Prince Mahanaga ruling the area of Ruhuna from Magama as a sub king. Thera Mahadeva arrived by the air down to the shades of Sal Tree on the mountain called Kukkuta Pawuva at Hattota village in Magama. Having heard the arrival of Thera village man Mahakala visited to venerate the relic. He was delight venerated by heart, performed pooja for the sacred relic. Sub King Mahanaga wowing to see the relic and was able to bring the relic to palace by perahara festival with the permission of Mahadeva Thera and Mahakala, the village man. He built relic temple to deposit the relic near to the palace and performed venerations and pooja to the sacred relic. After his reign, his son King Yatalatissa and his son King Gotabaya and then his son King Kavantissa continued the veneration and pooja to the sacred relic accordingly.

King Kavantissa in his old age been advised by the arahath Thera ‘’ChullapindaPathika’’ brother of Queen Viharamaha Devi to deposit the relic where Buddha has wished on his visit to Lanaka Dveepa.

King has completed the Maha Mangala Stupa at the right place and delivered sacred relic by Perahara via Digamadulla to Seruvila. Regional Kings Sivaraja of Seru Nuwara, Mahanaga of Lona Nuwara, Giri Abaya of Soma Nuwara has given patronage by supporting King Kavantissa to complete the mission to enshrine the forehead relic in to the Maha Stupa. The temple named after the King as Eastern Tissa Maha Rama, completed with Bodhi Tree, Shrine room and monastic complex continued as a major Buddhist temple in the Island. It is says that King Kavantissa will be the father of future Maithree Bodhisathva a Wiseman ‘’Subrahmana’’ and Queen Viharamaha Devi will be the mother of Bodhisathva ‘’Brahmwathi’’ in the future.

By the time passed Sri Lanka has been invaded from Chola, Pandiyans, Portuguese and Dutch and continued to be destroyed many of the Buddhist temples including this sacred place. Huge destructions caused to move people from the area where abandon for centuries covering the area by thick jungle.

In early 20^th century, Honourable ‘’Gintota Sri Seelakanda’’ MahaNayaka Maha Thera of Dodandoowe Cylabimba Ramaya* is reading Buddhist Puskola Poth* in his Arama. He was astonished when found Pali Nalata Dathuwansa & Sinhala Dathuwansa revealing sacred relic of Buddha hood. Honourable Maha Thera called his favourite student ‘’DhambagasAre Sumedhankara’’ there given directions to take care the sacred relic. The student Thera followed the instruction of his teacher and depart for the journey in a steamship from the Galle harbour to Trincomalee in the Buddhist year 2464 (1921 CA), after arriving there he continue to walk up to the Seruvila through the thick jungle searching the Seruvila (lake) boundaries. After completing life threatening journey he was able to find the completely destroyed ruined mountain in the thick jangle near Seru Lake identified which enshrined the forehead relic of Lord Buddha. He started clear jungle around and re found temple premises for conservation. He brought people to area reclaiming cultivating lands around the temple again in surrounded area of Seruvila. Development work has been taken place and new temple completed with the help of all Sri Lankan people protecting the MahaStupa which enshrined the forehead relic of Lord Buddha. The prominent Buddhist Monk appointed as the Mahanayaka Thera of Sri Kalyanawansa MahaNikaya, in his old age he passed his duty to his favourite student ‘’Seruvila Saranikitti’’ Thera to keep continuation of venerations, offerings and development work of the temple and the area. After completing his mission he took his last breath in peace.

In years of meantime there begun a brutal attacks to the people in the Island by a monster killer terrorist leader Prabakaran in the North of Sri Lanka. Monster killer and his brutal army have killed millions of innocent people around the country with the help of local and foreign conspiracy to destroy the countries peace process. Monster killer Velupillei Prabakaran became the Governor of the North and Eastern areas of this Island killing all people outside his race, people started moving from the area to safe places. Paddy fields become muddy lands, jangle started growing up, the MahaStupa started to abandon again, meantime Thera Seruvila Saranikitti is working on a project to claim the site as a world heritage from the UNESCO to protect the relic stupa by addressing people around the world, never afraid to terrorist threats continue to take care of the Maha Stuap, ready for scarifies himself for his master’s sake and the pure honour to the Lord Buddha’s sacred relic.

The leaders of the local Government intervene to situation demanding Thera to leave the area for life. There denied request putting himself to the guardian protector of the Maha Stupa.

Velupillei Prabakaran came to a new decision of stopping the water supply to the area by closing the Mavil Aru water channel threatening all Sri Lankans again for a brutal attack. Seruvila Saranikitti stood up for a reaction walk up to the water supply gate to request terrorist to open the water way, but didn’t work. Thera continue to sit down on the gateway until terrorist opening the water supply to the village committing him-self in the mouth of monsters.

The President Mahinda Rajapakse’s decision finalised after trying all kind of peaceful negotiation to opening the water supply to the village. His forces routed all brutal terrorised including the leader within 2 years and 10 month who has continued killing for last 30 years in this Island.

The sacred relic came to a safe inside the Maha Stupa, villages backing up slowly in to normal life with the great vision of all people in Sri Lanka.

By Eranga Jayasinghe

Ref: I have taken this complete story from the rock inscription at the site in Sinhala Language, translated to English with the hope of doing the best to its valuable language.

The inscription has written by the retired Professor M W Vimal Vijerathne of Sinhala and media department of the University of Jayawardenapura to fulfil the request done by the Honourable Mahanayake Seruvila Mangala Maha ViharaAdikari, Lecturer of Rathnapura National Education Centre ‘’Munhene Mettarama’’ Thera for compact story of the sacred forehead relic of Lord Buddha.

The cost of this inscription bear by Palugama Edmond Perris Mr, Batepola Badhuhene Hemakumara Amarasekara Mr, and Mrs. Chandani Rathnayake of Indurana.   

Velgama Vihara 

This temple situated on Trincomalee Anuradhapura road (A12) about 15 kms North East of Trincomalee town. There is a sine board erected on the A12 high way at the beginning of B447 miner road running towards the ancient temple complex. 

An archaeological heritage found in the 19th century, conservation work has being taking place since then. However, during the LTTE controlled of the area for last 30 years until September 2009 where temple was again in abandon. In the year 2000, there was brutal attack by LTTE killing devotees, children and innocent people unarmed for no reason. Main priest monk surviving after serious surgery of this attack.

According to the archaeological explanations this temple built here during the 3rd century BC by the King DevanampiyaTissa of Anuradhapura. It was the time that Buddhism introduced to Sri Lanka and this temple prove the historic relation to the period by its architectural constructions. In which the entrance way to the temple decorated by the guard stones and moon stones which are more likely to be the very beginning of the architectural concept of evolution.

This temple have been developed and renovated by different Kings of Anuradhapura after King DevanampiyaTissa and Kings of Polonnaruwa at different periods.

There is special rock inscription here in Tamil language, it seems like there were Tamil Buddhist devotees who look after this temple in early days. According to some historians says that inscription were telling a story of Tamil Cattle farming lady who donated her income from the cow milk she selling every day to carry on the development work of the temple.

Temple were completed with all elements of Buddhist temples including Bodhi Tree, Relic Chamber (Thupa) and Image house. There are two image house for reclining Buddha statue and standing Buddha statue in the main shrine. Main shrine building is more like Hindu influenced building where the inner shrine room surrounded by smaller shrine rooms at the entrance way. The passage around the main shrine room is very wide and easy to walk around 6 people in a row at a time. Smaller shrine rooms both sides of the entrance way for the four Buddhas of this aeon. All statures were destroyed including the building itself but the main statue at the centre remaining in a good condition in Abya Muddra.

Reclining Buddha statue only be consider from the brick work remaining which is not be able to understand some one who are not familiar with Buddhist monuments. 

Bodhi Tree premises is easy to identify with its wall and the decoration but there is no Bodhi Tree alive any more at the premises.

Relic chamber has been destroyed, which restored up to certain level to indicate the fact that there was a complete Thupa rising to the sky. Relics enshrined here are not sure where I haven't found any related story yet.

By: Eranga Jayasinghe 
Ref: I visited the temple with 13 Canadian and American tourist on 10th April 2013. There was a cruise came to the Trincomalee port for site seen. Met Main priest who told the LTTE story in year 2000 where there are pictures taken at time being presented at the temple including his healed wound on the stomach.

Historic relations briefed by Mr Hettiarachchi who is retired office of Sri Lanka Tourism Authority on the day before when we visit to the site as a fame tour .