The history of the Kapilavastupura Relics
Preamasara EPASINGHE
Prince Siddhartha Gautama Buddha Shakyamuni's birth place is Lumbini
Gardens. It is located near Kapilavastu, in what is now Southern Nepal.
In Lumbini, there is a stone column that Emperor Ashoka had erected
commemorating the occasion of his pilgrimage in the year 249 BC.
“Twenty years after his coronation, King Devanampiya Piyadassi -
Ashoka came here, commemorated his veneration, as the Buddha of the
Shakya clan was born here.”
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Devotees
pay homage to the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics. Picture by
Thushara Fernando |
Kapilavastu is located in Central India. Buddha was born on the
outskirts of this city. His father, Suddhodana, was the king of the
country.
Kapilavastu was very close to the heart of Gautama Buddha. He,
frequently visited his home city, even after Enlightenment and presented
several discourses there. As a result, his father Suddhodana, attained
the level of stream entry Shrota-Panna. Buddha's son, Rahula was
accepted to the Monarch order as a novice - Shramanera at Kapilavastu.
Kapilavastu became famous in the Buddhist world, due to the fact that
the Buddha's Relics were found in a Chaitya in this city. Presently,
these Sacred Relics of the Buddha are in Sri Lanka, and thanks to the
initiative taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Buddhist public in
their millions pay their honour and respect to the Buddha Relics of
Kapilavastu.
Lankan Buddhists
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, very kindly obliged to send
the Sacred Relics to Sri Lanka. Although the Indian government took a
firm decision not to send these valuable Relics of the Greatest son born
on Indian Soil, due to the diplomacy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the
Indian government changed their firm rule and sent the Sacred
Kapilavastu Relics to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Buddhists are grateful to the
Prime Minister of India and our President for enabling Lankan Buddhists
to worship the most Sacred Relics.
During the Buddha era, the capital of Shakya Kingdom was Kapilavastu.
The name of the ancient city Kapilavastu, was derived from the name of a
sage Kapila. The city was constructed and planned by the kings of the
Okkaka Clan. It was a made-up city.
From Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha to
Kapilavastu, there is a distance of about 10 kilometres.
In 1858, an Indian historian named Lasath, discovered that
Kapilavastu was situated in Gorakpur in Uttar Pradesh near the River
Rohita. Then, one of the greatest archaeologists like our own Dr
Senarath Paranavithana, the first Indian Archaeological
Director/Commissioner Sir Cunningham, in 1863, unearthed the city of
Sravasthi.
He was of the opinion that the city of Kapilavastu was situated at
Uttara Pradesh Bhaski District in Aurangbad. In the meantime, an
archaeologist, named A Fureher discovered the Ashoka Pillar in 1896.
This threw more light and helped Indian archaeologists and historians
find out where the city of Kapilavastu lies.
In the later part of the 19th century, an Indian archaeologist, Mrs
Devabalamitra conducted research on Kapilavastu. In the research and
excavation conducted by her at Tilaurokam in Pirawa main Stupa, they
found a Relic Bowl. The detail accounts found in the excavations and
Fa-hsein Reports revealed the this Pirawa may be the same
Kapilavastupura Relics referred to earlier.
Proud history
The Indian archaeologists did a marvelous job and in 1971, K M
Shrivasta continued research on the city of Kapilavastu in Pipawa. The
Indian government gave all necessary help and assistance to unearth
their proud history. When Shrivasta unearthed the Eastern section of an
ancient Stupa, he found in two compartments, a casket where the Buddha's
Relics were found. In another research done in 1973 at the same place,
they found some Terra-Cota seals where the words Kapilavastu, Devapura
Viharaya, Oam and Bhikkshu Sasagasaya was inscribed.
The body of the Enlightened One, Gautama Buddha was cremated in a
pyre with Sandalwood logs. It was handled by the Malla clan Rulers of
Kusinara. It was a state or Royal Funeral for the Greatest Son of India,
the Greatest Religious leader of the world.
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Thousands of
devotees gathered on the streets to view the Sacred
Kapilavastu Relics being brought to Manelwatte Temple,
Kelaniya. Picture by Lalith C Gamage |
The neighbouring kingdoms, Ajasatta of Maghda, Licchavis of Visala,
Khastriya of Kapilavastu, Bhulya Khastriya and Koliya Kings, Malla Kings
of Pava send their representatives to this state funeral and they were
keen to obtain the Relics of the Exalted One - Gautama Buddha to their
respective kingdoms. The kings of Malla stated that they are the sole
owners of Great Buddha's Relics as, the Blessed one passed away in their
kingdom. A problem was brewing regarding the Sacred Buddha Relics. On
this occasion, an Educated Brahamin - Dhona, negotiated it and settled
the issue by distributing the Buddha's Sacred Relics equally to all
kingdoms and states of India at that time. During the reign of Kirthi
Shri Megha, the king Guhaseeva sent her daughter Hemamala and his
son-in-law Dhanta, the Most Sacred Tooth Relic to Sri Lanka.
Pay homage
While turning the pages of Sumangala Vihasini, an intersting story
reveals that the Negotiator of the distribution of Buddha's Relics -
Bramin Drhona, hid a part of a small relic of the Buddha, in his turban.
The story goes to say that Sakka - Chief of Gods seeing this act,
removed this valuable Buddha Relic from Drhona's turban and enshrined it
in a Pinnacle Pagoda - Siluminiseya at the Sakkas abode or Heaven. The
Brahamin Dhrona was very disappointed and he constructed a Stupa,
enshring the bowl, where he distributed the Buddha Relics.
The Buddha's cremated remains are known as Relics. His ashes are said
to have been divided into eight parts. The Sutra of the benefit of
washing the Buddha's image mentions two kinds of relics. They are the
Enlightened One's physical remains of the body and the other relics are
called Dharma Body.
The Mauriya kings of Pippali, could not be present on time, when the
Buddha Relics were distributed. They collected the Ashes and charcoal
from the pyre of the Buddha and enshrined them in a Stupa. This Stupa
was called Angaraseya or Angara Stupa.
On an earlier occasion when the Sacred Kapilavastupura Relics were
brought to Vidyodaya Pirivena Maligakande, Maradana Sri Lanka in 1978,
the scholar monk Most. Ven.Akuretiya Amarawanse Nayake Thera, composed
two stanzas to worship the Most Sacred Kapilavastupura Relics.
I quote the two stanzas and pay homage to the Gautama Buddha and
worship the Enlightened one - the Exalted one.
Devadhiraja Nara Raja Varehi Vandhan
Sampujita Kapilavattu Puramramam
Vijjodhayakya Parivena Varopanitam
Vandami Buddhatanudhatu Mahan Mahaggham
Suddhasayehi Isirajavarehi Samma
Nimmapita Kapilavastupura Manungganm
Vijjodhayakya Parivena Varopanitam
Sambuddha Dhatu Malam Sirasa Namami
The exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics were held throughout most
parts of Sri Lanka and after Jayanthipura Viharaya, Anuradhapura,
Agrabodhi Viharaya, Kantale on August 27 and 28.
It was taken to Naravita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple, Gampola. Then
it is on exposition at Sri Sumangala Pirivena, Wariyapola on August 29
and 30. The exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics will be also held on
August 31 and September 1 at Matara Kotikagoda, Rajamaha Viharaya,
Matara. On Sunday, August 19, the exposition of the Sacred Kapilavastu
Relics in Sri Lanka began at Manelwatte Temple, Kelaniya.
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