Samadhi Buddha Statue Mahamevuna Uyana. Anuradhapura, "Samadhi Budu Pilimaya" This limestone image of lord Buddha is dating from the 3rd Century. Seated under a Bo tree, depicts the Lord Buddha in the serene state of Samadhi, or deep meditation. It's not secret why the Great Indian statesman Jawaharlal Nehru found solace and strength in a photograph of this statue when he was imprisoned by the British in 1940s. The kindness of Lord Buddha flows through the half closed eyes, Watch as as long as you like. This is the finest Meditation Buddha statue in the whole World.

Isurumuni  Lovers 6th Century Gupta style carving. The woman, seated on the man's lap, lifts a warning finger, probably as a manifestation of her coyness; but the man carries on regardless." The figures may represent Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the law caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her.

Sandakada Pahana  ( The Moonstone ) The elaborate moonstone at its base is in itself a distinctive element of ancient sculpture in the island. These semi-circular slabs of granite or gneiss acquired increasingly complex bands of decorations over the years. They range from the near abstract tongues of fire and bands of creeper vines - to symbolic interpretations of the four perils of life The latter consists of the elephant, a symbol of birth, the bull indicative of decay; the lion, resent in disease. and the geese, a symbol of death. Some also band of geese, which represents the dist between good, and evil. To some, the moon-stone is symbolic of transcending worldly temptations and achieving nibbane. At the heart of many moonstones is a lotus petal. Buddhists regard the lotus as a sacred flower, a symbol of the male and female creative forces that prevails throughout Sri Lankan art, architecture, sculpture and literature. It figures in the legend attached to the birth of the Buddha, when seven lotuses sprang into bloom at his feet as he took the first seven steps of his life. The lotus bloomed again in profusion at the moment he reached the state of Enlightenment.

Kuttam Pokuna   The Twin Ponds. These 3rd Century monks' bathing pools are archaeologically perfect. The water that feeds the ponds flows first into a filtering basin made of rock; It runs through a beautiful makara mouth and a lion's head into the smaller tank. A submarine conduit feeds the larger tank.

Guard Stone (Naga King) This is the finest of it's kind in Sri lanka dated from 8th century AD and one of the climax of Sinhalease art works. He is the god of water,The God of protection and  with a vase of plenty which is a symbol of prosperity  and carrying a flower stalk which is a symbol of pertility. King figure is adorned  with beautiful jewels and above it's head rise seven hooded cobras. It is said that he is from heaven and this is the moment he touches the floor.

Home

Back

© Sri Lanka CD designed & created by digital research - Sri Lanka