Rev. Pannasinghe Tera

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Rev. Pannasinghe Thera was younger than I by about four years. I liked him instantly, calm in his demeanour and mature in outlook he has finished his education in Cambridge, UK. He spoke fluent English and was responsible for discovering some gratifying archaeological sites in Abhayagiriya.

Dhamila Gahapathi Shala

We came back to Rev. Pannasinghe Thera’s Kuttiya (dwelling house) by late afternoon to collect the priest who promised to take us around the Abhayagiriya sites. Since dusk was soon drawing nearer he suggested that we visit two sites. I was to meet him at a later date to learn more about Abhayagiriya. I must confess that I felt ill equipped with adequate knowledge of the sites and felt that some background reading is necessary before meeting him for the second time.

Dhamila Gahapathi Shala is not open to public yet. Rev. Pannasinghe conducted the excavations and is responsible for the discoveries. The site was barricaded with a wire fence to keep the public away. Rev. Pannasinghe opened the side and took me in and Kingsley made the comment, “Go in and see whether you can remember it,” to which I replied, “We always return in consciousness.” Needless to say I did feel at home.

This place is under a huge bolder of rock, and is divided into two sections. The inner section was for the Masters and the outer section as I understood it was for the practitioners. That is, practitioner of meditation in search of the clear view. The students would practice and constantly seek guidance from the Masters and be corrected in the style of meditation. As in Tibetan Buddhism which I practice with my Guru, verbal instructions were given and careful attention to detail so that the practitioner is on the correct path. The incorrect path leads one astray and all that time spent in practice is wasted.

It appears that during that time when Mahinda Thera introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka the attention to detail to set up the right place for the correct view is incomprehensible. The whole of Abhayagiriya in ancient times seemed to have replicated a modern University. The Kings of that time starting from King Devanampiya Tissa went to great lengths to enabling an environment conducive to achieving ‘Nibbana’ enlightenment. His reign was one of universal peace, prosperity and happiness. And this I am told is the consequence of spirituality; whether by nations or individuals if we are on such a path of true spirituality, then prosperity, peace and happiness manifests in abundance as only then that us humans conform to cosmic law.

Sudassana Lena

The second site we saw was in the village away from the temple area known as Sudassana Lena. A progressive archaeological site covered by a roof to protect it from the weather. Here are carefully excavated discovery of ancient habitat. In my opinion the evidence is similar to Machu Picchu and as old. However Rev. Pannasinghe states that there is evidence of different ages having lived and it is hard to catalogue the discovery to different ages.

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Photos

Dhamila Gahapathi Shala
A photo from the outside of the site

Dhamila Gahapathi Shala
Behind the wire fence

Comments

[Lasith]

Nice post!
Good read about the Rev. Pannasinghe Tera, would like to feature a photo memory on my Sri Lanka travel blog? I also feature things to do in Sri Lanka and an insiht into our history and culture, please visit my independent Sri Lanka travel blog: discovering-serendipity.com to learn more!