THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF TRAVEL FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AT GIRIHADUSAYA TEMPLE
Traveling is a universally cherished experience that offers enriching insights into different cultures, landscapes, and lifestyles. For persons with #disabilities, embarking on a journey can be even more profound, as it presents unique opportunities for personal growth, empowerment, and breaking down barriers. We delve into the significance of traveling for individuals with disabilities and highlight its transformative impact.
Manique Gunaratne
created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the
#Girihadusaya Temple in #Trincomalee district in December 2022.
The oldest incident connected with the site is etched in
an 8th century Sanskrit epigraph found at the site which refers to a shrine
named Girikandicaitya being established on the hill-top by a company of
merchants headed by Tapassu and Bhallika.
According to the Nidanakatha and Mahavagga a book on the
Vinaya, #Tapassu and #Bhallika were two brother merchants who offered some
victuals to the #Buddha, in the 8th week after his enlightenment. They are
considered the first lay disciples of #Lord #Buddha who sought the refuge of
the Master and the Dhamma. And on request the Master gifted them with a handful
of #hair #relics. Tradition claims that the two merchants enshrined the holy relics
and built a shrine here.
As such this shrine would have been built during the
lifetime of Lord Buddha. Scholars attribute it to possibly the c. The present
structure or the ruins of the vatadage consisting of a small stupa encircled by
two concentric circles of stone pillars and a retaining wall of stone slabs, however,
is believed to have evolved with time.
The
vatadage at Thiriyaya while conforming to the general pattern of the vatadage,
had architectural features which have not been noticed at any other shrine of
this class.
The
capitals of the pillars at Thiriyaya have not been separately carved and joined
as at other vatadaga sites. Facing the entrances at the cardinal points are
altars of carved granite slabs. At the head of each flight of steps is a stone
doorway.
The
four entrances at the cardinal points are provided with moon stones,
makara balustrades and naga guard stones. The moonstones are
plain except for a lotus petal carving at the circumference. The guardstones are
the most striking artistic feature. The Naga kings are depicted as having an
air of austerity, not overloaded with jewellery and are benign in expression.
According to scholars these qualities along with their elongated limbs suggest
the Pallava style of art belonging to a phase earlier than Anuradhapura and
Polonnaruwa.
Another
unusual feature here is the evidence of a wooden upright railing which may have
covered the space between the top of the stone wall and the roof.
Around
the vatadage are seen the remains of image houses of which the largest housed a
large recumbent Buddha image.
On
the terraces lower down the hill are ruins of monastic structures, ponds and
flights of steps leading to different levels. A stone bridge indicates that an
ancient highway passed this site. Some rock caves bear early Brahmi
inscriptions indicating the existence of a monastery even during pre-Christian
times. The earliest datable inscription at the site is the pre-Christian Brahmi
inscription recording the dedication of a cave to the Buddhist monks.
As such a pilgrimage to #Thiriyaya vatadage is a poignant experience for the Buddhist in you as much as the naturalist, architect and archaeologist in you.
The image shows Girihandu Seya, a Buddhist stupa in Sri Lanka. The stupa is surrounded by lush greenery, with trees and plants adding to the serene atmosphere. Persons with disability are seen ascending the steps towards the entrance. The stupa itself is circular and adorned with several decorative elements, giving it a majestic and revered appearance. |
The Picture Shows four people sitting on the grass near a body of water, with a backdrop of lush green trees. |
#Manique Gunaratne
Manager – Specialise Training and Disability Resource Centre of The
Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
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