Seruwila Mangala Viharaya
Symbol of Buddhist resurgence in East:
K. D. Jayasekera
The Seruwila Mangala Viharaya in Trincomalee district is considered
one of the most venerable ancient Buddhist temples to be found in the
Eastern province where once Buddhism flourished at its peak.
Forehead relics of the Buddha are enshrined at the Seruwila
Cetiya |
According to annals King Kavantissa who ruled the Ruhuna built this
temple 2231 years back by enshrining the forehead relic of Gautama
Buddha. It is believed that three viharas existed at this particular
spot built during the periods of three former Buddhas named Kakusanda,
Konagama and Kasyapa with their relics enshrined and Gautama Buddha who
was the last Buddha in this eon had personally visited this place and
offered eight handfuls of 'Sapu' flowers.
Gautama Buddha has not only foreseen that a king by the name of
Kavantissa will build a temple with his forehead relic enshrined in it
but has wished that this temple should be named 'Mangala' viharaya.
King Kavantissa, father of King Dutugemunu who ruled the Ruhunu Rata
after having obtained the forehead relic of Buddha was searching for a
suitable site to build a vihara. Being an ancient custom the king
directed the royal elephant to lead the way and the King himself with
workmen and soldiers followed.
After travelling for many miles the party arrived at a place known as
'Varahasondi' in Sri Gonapura, a region in Rajarata and the elephant
remained unmoved. Instantly work was started and within a short period a
vihara was built with a Stupa enshrining the forehead relic. King
Kavantissa also built several other Viharas in the area and thousands of
Buddhists were settled down. Buddhism flourished in this area for
several centuries.
With the invasion by Cholas and Pandyas from, South India and the
Sinhala Buddhist having to face the more powerful invaders in warfare
found their existence unsafe and they migrated to the Hill Country
leaving everything they had and thus the downfall of Buddhism in this
area began.
The viharas were uncared for and with the growth of vegetation the
most valuable Buddhist shrines gradually fell into ruins. The whole area
became thick jungle infested with wild animals including elephants.
Though the existence of the Seruvila Mangala Vihara was mentioned in the
'Dathuwamsa' and other chronicles no one made any attempt to discover
this Vihara, not to mention restoring it.
At the Chetiya at Seruwila Mangala Viharaya the forehead relic of
Buddha was enshrined. It was in 1920 that a young Bhikkhu living in a
temple at Dodanduwa in the Southern province after having read about the
Seruwila Mangala Vihara which existed in the Eastern province was
determined to discover it.
The Bhikkhu Ven. Dombagasare Sumedankara had even dreamt of this
vihara but the trip being so hazardous that the elderly Bhikkhus would
not permit him to make the expedition.
But young Sumedankara Thera was bold in his decision he was even
willing to sacrifice his life in the attempt and insisted that he should
go to Trincomalee.
After much persuasion he was permitted to make this trip and
permission was obtained from the Governor to restore the Seruwila
Vihara. In early 1923 young Sumedankara Thera arrived at Trincomalee by
sailing vessel and proceeded to Muttur by sailing boat.
Seruwila was about 14 miles from Muttur and the young Bhikkhu began
to walk the distance. It was the first time people living in that area
had ever seen a bhikkhu in yellow robes.
The Seruwila temple area was their hunting ground and even Veddhas
lived in that jungle. Without any assistance from the inhabitants the
young Bhikkhu trekked the four miles in the jungle creeping through
thorny bushes along a footpath used by hunters. At least he arrived at a
place strewn with granite pillars in a large area where a huge mould of
earth and bricks was also found. The centuries old Seruwila Mangala
Vihara was finally discovered.
The Bhikkhu was so delighted that he kissed the earth and vowed that
he will restore Mangala Vihara to the past glory. Back in Trincomalee he
got round a few Sinhala Buddhist traders who are all from the South and
they willingly agreed to help in this matter.
Satisfied with the result of his endeavour he went back to Dodanduwa
and many rich Buddhists pledged support in restoring the Seruwila Vihara,
the chief supporter being the late Mudliyar D. D. Weerasinghe.
On July 23, 1923 the Seruwila Mangala Maha Chetiyawardhana Society
was formed and after clearing a roadway the restoration work started
under most difficult conditions. However the society did the work in
record time and the pinnacle enshrining ceremony was held on September
8, 1930.
The young Sumedankara Thera has developed special herbal medicine for
curing snake bite victims and the Muslims of Thoppur began to respect
the Bhikkhu after curing a snake bite victim in the village whom the
elders had declared dead.
The young Bhikkhu Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedankara became the
Viharadhipathi of the Seruwila Mangala Viharaya and in the year 1962 he
was made the Chief Sanganayaka of Negenahira Thamankaduwa Depalatha
(Eastern and Thamankaduwa regions) and was conferred with the honorary
title of Mangala Dharmakeerthi Sri Kalyani Wansika.
It should be noted that no one can think of Seruwila Vihara without
recalling the name of Sri Sumedankara Thera because they are so attached
to each other.Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedankara was appointed Mahanayaka
of the Kalyanawansa Chapter on June 18, 1984 and he passed away on
August 13, 1984 at the age of 92 years.
Lanka Library
|