Abhayagiri Viharaya is a major monastery and educational site of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka). Today it is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. Historically, it was a great monastic center, as well as a royal capital with magnificent monasteries roofed with golden-colored bronze or burnt clay tiles. To the north of the city, lies "Abhayagiri", surrounded by large walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balums and moonstones. It is one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five main temples. One of the focal points of the complex is the Abhayagiri Dagaba, an ancient stupa. The Abhayagiri Viharaya was a seat of the Northern Monastery or Utthara Viharaya and was the original custodian of the Tooth Relic on the island.
"Abhayagiri Viharaya" refers not only to the complex of monastic buildings, but also to the brotherhood of Buddhist monks (a sangha) that maintained its own historical records, traditions, and way of life. It was founded in the 2nd century BCE. By the 1st century CE, it had grown into an international institution, attracting scholars from all over the world and encompassing all shades of Buddhist philosophy. Its influence can be traced through branches established in other parts of the world, elsewhere. Thus, the Abhayagiri Viharaya grew to be a great institution when viewed in relation to the Mahavihara of Anuradhapura, the capital of ancient Sri Lanka, and the Jetavana Buddhist monastic order.
The Mahavamsa states that when King Valagamba fled due to the Dravidian invasion, a Nigantha named Giri who was at the site of Abhayagiriya insulted him by saying that the great black Sinhalese were fleeing, and that when the king regained the kingdom, he demolished the Nigantha temple and built Abhayagiriya, worshipped Kupikkal Mahatissa Thero, who had helped him in his time of need, and combined his own and Nigantha's names and named it Abhayagiri Viharaya. In ancient times, the name of a temple built on high ground and near a mountain is ending with "giri". Since there were no Giri Niganthas in Meghagiri, Chethiyagiri, Muhundagiri, Vessagiri, etc., it seems that Abhayagiri was named after the temple built by King Abhaya on a high ground. According to the Chinese monk Pahiyan Thero who lived at Abhayagiri Viharaya, 5000 monks lived here by the fifth century. Similarly, the custody of the Tooth Relic brought to this country by King Kithsiri Mevan in the fourth century was vested in the Utthara Mula, the oldest group of monks in Abhayagiri. During the Anuradhapura period, the Tooth Relic procession continued from Wethala to Abhayagiri. Lankaramaya was a nunnery here. There was also a tapa forest in the northwestern region. Abhayagiri, which was weakened by the Soli invasion in 1017, was destroyed by the invasion of Magha in 1215.
Abhayagiri Stupa
This is also known as the Abhayagiri Utthara Maha Chaitanya. This stupa was built by King Walagamba. It was believed that the stupa was built at the place where the Buddha placed his feet after visiting Sri Lanka, according to the Pahiyan Theros of 411-113 AD. According to a later text, the Saddharmaratnakara, a casket in the shape of a bull is enshrined here.
Small Dagoba at Abhayagiri
Several other stupas are found on the grounds of Abhayagiri. The Prasada Stupa known as Janavahara Indikatu Seya is built in the middle of a small rock. This is similar to the Satmahal Prasada Stupa of Polonnaruwa. Another stupa has been found on a platform to the west of the Elephant Pond. Apart from that, the ruins of two other small stupas have been found.
Bodhi Ghara and Samadhi Buddha Statue
Main article: Samadhi Buddha Statue - Anuradhapura
This is also located in the old Bodhi Ghara of Abhayagiri Vihara. Built in the Gupta style, its feet are seen in the Veerasana posture and its hands are seen in the Samadhi mudra. Behind the statue, the boroka is visible. This dates back to the 3rd-4th century. There are still signs that it was painted in ancient times. Precious stones were set in the eye sockets.
Places used by monks Ratna Prasadaya
This is the Poya Geya of the Abhayagiri Viharaya. It has a roof made of glass-colored tiles. This is a five-story building. The ruins that can be seen today are believed to date back to the 7th-8th century. The artistic Muragala, which can be seen in Sri Lanka, is found near the Ratna Prasadaya. On the top of this Muragala is a dragon pavilion and a man and woman emerging from the dragon's mouth. One idea is that worldly pleasures lead to destruction.
Elephant Pond
This pond was built for the water needs of the monks. The length and width are approximately 160*35 meters. It belongs to the 3rd-4th centuries AD. Although it is currently known as the Elephant Pond, according to the Bodhivamsa Gotapada, its old name was Maspotha Pond. There are two tunnels on the north side that brought water from the Peramiyan Kulama Tank or Bunkulama Tank above. There are also tunnels that brought water to this on the south side.
Kuttam Pokuna
It is called Kuttam Pokuna because there are two ponds as a pair. It was made for the convenience of the four Mula of the Abhayagiri Viharaya for the water of the Bhinshuns of Kaparamula. The length and width of the two ponds are approximately 40*16 and 28*17 meters. It is considered to be a creation of the first King Agbo. A stone-built queen's enclosure can be seen so that the water coming into the pond is filtered several times. A hole can also be seen to drain out when the water becomes polluted.
Sudassana Pathanaghara
The Pathanaghara, where the monks are working, is seen from the northwest as one passes the Ratnaprasada. Evidence has been found that this existed before the Walagamba era.
Sandakadapahana
The famous Sandakadapahana in Anuradhapura is located in the Abhayagiri Viharaya. Professor Paranavithana chose to describe the carvings of the Sandakadapahana
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