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Waskaduwa Rajaguru Sri Subhuti Viharaya
A viharaya with a glorious history
 The Waskaduwa Rajaguru Sri Subhuti Viharaya has a glorious history.
One factor contributing to it was that it was the residence of Ven
Rajaguru Sri Subhuti Maha Thera who was a great teacher on par with
contemporary learned persons of the East and West at that time. Another
factor is the presence of the Relics of the Buddha, little known among
the public.
Although Relics of the Buddha are deposited in many places of Buddhist
worship, Relics which can be seen to the naked eye are found only at
this Viharaya and the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The presence of Buddha Relics at this Viharaya became public with the
recent arrival of the Kapilavastu relics to this Viharaya for public
exposition.
Ven Subhuti Maha Thera had interacted and associated with many world
renowned learned personalities at the time including Sir Rose
Arunachalam, Sir Gregory Rajendralal and Indian Archaeological
Commissioner Sir Alexander Cunningham. Ven Subhuti Maha Thera had
exchanged correspondence with R C Wildersz of England and some of these
letters are still deposited at the Sri Subhuti Viharaya. Once Sri
Subhuti Maha Thera had tried to obtain a part of Buddha relics which
were in the possession of Sir Alexander Cunningham according to their
correspondence. But Cunningham was unable to respond to that request
because the relics he had in his possession had been destroyed in a
fire. But Sri Subhuti Thera had not given up his quest for Buddha
Relics.
This is proved by his letters found at the Viharaya. Sir Alexander
Cunningham had written to Sri Subhuti Thera apologising for his
inability to grant the request and his willingness to make a financial
donation to the Viharaya in its place. Ven Sri Subhuti Thera had written
back saying he did not need any money but his one desire was to obtain
Sacred Relics of the Buddha for daily worship.
Luckily for Ven Sri Subhuti Thera, Indian archaeologists found a
casket bearing the Sacred Buddha Relics during excavations on a plot of
land belonging to an Englishman in the region earlier called
Kapilavastupura and Cunningham in agreement with other archaeologists
had sent part of these relics to Sri Subhuti Thera.
These Buddha Relics have been lying safely at the Waskaduwa Sri Subhuti
Viharaya for the last century and the incumbent Viharadhipati Ven
Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thera had made a dedicated effort to protect and
safeguard the Relics.
The Viharadhipati has arranged an exposition of the Relics from
January 25 to 27 to enable the Buddhist public to pay homage to them.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also expected to pay homage to these
Relics today.
Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister and Sri
Sarvagna Dhatu Poojopahara Committee chairman |
