Sacred Bo Sapling Venerated in Jaffna

Inculcating sense of devotion in Buddhists and non Buddhists in Jaffna and repeating the history occurred 2364 years ago, a sapling of the Anuradhapura Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought to historical Dambakola Patuna (Jambukola Pattana) amidst the devotional cry of “Sadhu ! Sadhu !!” on 9th February 2011.

Brigadier General Staff Security Forces Headquarters-Jaffna Brig. B.C.J.A.F. Rodrigo along with a host of Security Forces and Police personnel were present at the Palaly airport to receive the sacred sapling. After offerings at Palaly, it was taken to famous Sri Naga Vihara in Jaffna town via Vasavilan, Urumpirai and Thirunelvely.

When the sacred Bo sapling placed in a golden bowl (Pathra) was first brought to Jaffna in a magnificent motorcade with ceremonial escort by Security Forces and Police before it is taken to India next week, large crowds of people irrespective of their religious divisions had gathered on either side of the road to pay homage to it. Special offerings had been organized by School teachers, students and community representatives at Vasavilan, Urumpirai and Thirunelvely. They lined up on the Palaly-Jaffna main road to offer flowers to the sacred sapling. Small children threw flowers at the gaily decorated vehicle where the sacred sapling had been safely placed.

51 Division in Jaffna town had arranged alms giving for the delegation of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Later, it was brought to historical Dambakola Patuna on the Mathagal beach where a brief religious ceremony was held. Arrival of this sacred Bo sapling in Dambakola Patuna visualized the significant day in Buddhist Year 236 that Arhath Sangamiththa Therani, the daughter of Indian Emperor Ashoka brought the southern sapling of the original Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Bodhgaya, which sheltered the Lord Buddha to attain enlightenment, here. To further strengthen the long-term friendship prevailed between India and Sri Lanka, Emperor Ashoka sent this invaluable prize to his friend, King Devanampiayathissa who walked into the waist-deep Mathagal sea to receive it with enormous piety before placing it at Mahamevuna Uyana in Anuradhapura.

The route from Palaly airport to Jaffna town and back to Dambakola Patuna had been decorated with Buddhist flags as a symbol of veneration. A vehicle which aired Seth Pirith chanting all the way followed the motorcade.

Marking the 2600th incidence of Attaining Enlightenment of the Lord Buddha at Bodhgaya in India, this sacred sapling is to be flown to India and planted in Bodhgaya on 17th February on initiative of Sangha Nayaka of Maha Bharatha (India) and General Secretary of Maha Bodhi Samagama in India Ven. Dr. Dodamgoda Revatha Thero.

The delegation comprised of about thirty Bhikkus including the Chancellor of University of Kelanniya and Parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena Ven. Dr. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero, Sangha Nayaka of Maha Bharatha (India) and General Secretary of Maha Bodhi Samagama in India Ven. Dr. Dodamgoda Revatha Thero and Anuradhapura Atmasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thero. A team of Buddhist nuns is also traveling around the island with the sacred sapling throughout. Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs Mr. Chandraprema Gamage, Commander Northern Naval Command Rear Admiral S.M.B. Weerasekara, General Officer Commanding 51 Division Major General Janaka Walgama and senior officers of the Army, Navy and Police were also present.

The sacred sapling will be taken to the “Temple Trees” on the 14th evening where His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa will make offerings.


Source:http://www.cimicjaffna.com/Cimicnews_2011_02_09.php

Dambakola Patuna

Dambakola Patuna or Jambukola Patuna is an ancient port in the north of Jaffna which was used during pre christian times. After Arahath Mahinda brought Bhuddhism to Sri Lanka in 250BC, his sister, Theri Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka with a Sacred Bo Sapling one year later to this port. The temple Samudda-panasala ( Jambukola Viharaya) was built commemorating the arrival of the Bo sapling by King Devanampriya Tissa (250-210 BC). Later, the same king planted one of the first eight shoots of the Sri Maha Bodhi, on the same place where he kept the original tree before brining it to Anuradhapura. King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110) has restored this site.

How to get there

From Jaffna take the Kankasanthurei road (KKS Rd) and Travel up to Keerimalai Naguleswaran Kovil. The Keerimalai Natural Springs also belongs to this kovil. Between the Kovil and the Natural spring there is a road running parallel to the beach. The temple lies about 9 km from this kovil on this road.

Nagadeepa

Nainativu is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Gulf of Mannar and is only about 35 miles from India. Merchants have long come here and the surrounding islands to buy the conch shells that are harvested in the warm shallow waters in the Gulf. The conch shell is of course essential for certain Hindu and Buddhist rituals and a particularly perfect specimen of one spiraling to the right can fetch an enormous price. Pilgrims have also been coming to Nainativu since about the 1st century CE to worship at its famous stupa. In the Mahavamsa the island is one of the sixteen sacred places and the Tamil Buddhist epic, Manimekala, mentions a gem studded throne and a stone with the Buddha’s footprints at Nagadipa which pilgrims from India used to come and worship. The heroine of the epic is described as wandering amongst the island’s 'long sandy dunes and lagoons’.

As the boat approaches the main jetty the pilgrim will see the distinctive red and white-striped walls of the Hindu temple. Although there has been a temple here for many centuries the present one is not old and is of no particular interest. However on either side of the side entrance to the temple there are two very ancient objects. On the left as you enter is a large stone with an inscription of Parakramabahu I on it. In the first part of this inscription the king says that foreigners coming into the country should enter only at Uraturai (Kayts) and that they should be helped if in need. This undoubtedly refers to merchants and pilgrims from India. The second part says what measures should be taken if ships carrying elephants or horses and merchant ships are wrecked. On the right of the entrance is a large life saver-shaped stone, an ancient anchor. Arab ships used to carry such anchors.

Less than half a kilometer down the road from the temple is Nagadipa Vihara marking the place where the Buddha is supposed to have stayed during his visit to the small island. On one side of the road is the Bodhi Tree and on the other is the silver painted stupa. There are two temples as well, one containing a bronze Buddha image donated by the Burmese government in 1956. Nothing at Nagadipa is of any aesthetic or historical interest, everything having been built in the 1950’s.

Source:http://www.buddhanet.net/sacred-island/nagadipa.html

Kadurugoda Temple

There is a historical place called 'Kandarodei' situated in the midst of palmyrah trees beyond Manipai about 10 Kilometres away from Jaffna. There are small dagobas numbering 61 scattered over about 1/2 acre land. Those small structures are constructed with ash-coloured stone. Some dagobas have only the foundation.
The special feature of these ancient Buddhist structures is that there are no square shape constructions above the global structures; Instead of that , There are are umbrella shape structures one above the other next to the global structures.

This place is believed to have called Kadurugoda Vihara in the past. History of these structures go beyond 2000 years.

A Buddha statue, Bodhisaththa statue, a stone scripture and some coins believed to be in the 1st and 2nd centuries were found in this area. They are preserved at Jaffna museum.
It is believed that the relics of 60 Arhats are deposited in the small dagobas. There is a record that a special dagoba with the Buddha's relics was in this premises.

According to the history ,about 2000 years before there lived 60 Arhats in Jaffna peninsula preaching Dhamma and practising meditation. Owing to a famine in the area all the 60 Arhants passed-away.
Their bodies had been cremated and the ashes deposited in the small dagobas constructed later.

How to get there
Proceed from Jaffna – Kankasanturei road up to Chunnakam Junction, turn left and proceed another 3 kilometers to reach to thi temple complex.

Naga Viharaya Temple

Naga Viharaya is one of the famous Buddhist temples in Jaffna.It  is situated in the Stanley road in Jaffna town.
According to the history, when Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Bo Tree was taken by  Theri "Sangamiththa" (daughter of King Ashoka) from India to Sri Lanka in 288BC ,king Devanampiyathissa  of Sri Lanka had been to Jaffna to receive Theri Sanghamiththa and the group
On the group's way back to Anuradhapura, 'Naga' tribesmen of Jaffna requested the king to keep the Bo tree with them for a one week. Accordingly, the Bo Tree branch had been planted in Jaffna (where present Naga Viharaya is located.) for a one week before it was finally brought to Anuradhapura.