Sri Lanka has a rich history of ancient civilizations. Today we were in the old capital of Anuradhapura where Buddhism was introduced from India in the third century BC. You could spend a week looking at the various sites but we were able to do a lot in the day.
Our first site was an ancient temple complex dating from the second century BC. In a museum were artifacts from 6-8C BC and 8-10C BC
The Reclining Buddha Hall featured an interesting ceiling.
The Royal Park included further ancient structures.
We went to what appeared to be an ancient stupa that was undergoing restoration. It turned out to be a new structure. Being Sunday morning there were teams of volunteers who operated a line to pass bricks up the steep face of the stupa.
Passing the bricks up then along and up the scaffolding to the top.
We visited what is regarded as the second most significant religious site in Sri Lanka. When Buddhism was introduced they took from India offshoots of the sacred Bodhi tree where the Buddha reached enlightenment. The Sri Maha Bodhi has this tree still growing today. From the Third Century BC today shows dedication and nurturing.
Branches of the sacred Bodhi Tree are supported by golden poles.
This monkey was sitting near the Assembly house. All that remains are stone columns.
On our way to another large stupa we visited the Mahaviharaya Alms Hall. There were two huge containers one for rice, picture above, and one for curry. There were a lot of monks!
The Svasti- The Ratnamali and Sand Terraces. This was a large impressive stupa.
The entrance to the Stupa is guarded by rows of elephants.
There was material wrapping all the way around the stupa. This was on a scale deserving of Christo! The offerings of flowers were very colourful with lotus, waterlilies and marigolds in individual displays.
Giant Buddha.
TheDana Satawa or Alms House again with large food receptacles for the monks food.
We returned to the hotel for a quick lunch then out again.
Our first site was an ancient temple complex dating from the second century BC. In a museum were artifacts from 6-8C BC and 8-10C BC
The Reclining Buddha Hall featured an interesting ceiling.
We went to what appeared to be an ancient stupa that was undergoing restoration. It turned out to be a new structure. Being Sunday morning there were teams of volunteers who operated a line to pass bricks up the steep face of the stupa.
Passing the bricks up then along and up the scaffolding to the top.
We visited what is regarded as the second most significant religious site in Sri Lanka. When Buddhism was introduced they took from India offshoots of the sacred Bodhi tree where the Buddha reached enlightenment. The Sri Maha Bodhi has this tree still growing today. From the Third Century BC today shows dedication and nurturing.
Branches of the sacred Bodhi Tree are supported by golden poles.
This monkey was sitting near the Assembly house. All that remains are stone columns.
On our way to another large stupa we visited the Mahaviharaya Alms Hall. There were two huge containers one for rice, picture above, and one for curry. There were a lot of monks!
The Svasti- The Ratnamali and Sand Terraces. This was a large impressive stupa.
The entrance to the Stupa is guarded by rows of elephants.
There was material wrapping all the way around the stupa. This was on a scale deserving of Christo! The offerings of flowers were very colourful with lotus, waterlilies and marigolds in individual displays.
Giant Buddha.
TheDana Satawa or Alms House again with large food receptacles for the monks food.
We returned to the hotel for a quick lunch then out again.
2 comments:
No wonder there are a lot of reclining Buddhas , All the climbing up steps and brick passing must have been very tiring
No wonder Buddah is always lying down
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