Gal Vihara (Sinhala: stone temple), Buddhist Temple at (UNESCO World Heritage Site) at
Polonnaruwa,
Sri Lanka is the most perfect specimen of Buddha statue hewn out of
solid stone. Crafted during the reign of King Parakrabahu (1153-1186
A.C),
Gal Vihara statues are still in complete
preservation with their irresistible charm and sublimity. It is
undeniable that the sculptors of
Gal Vihara were of
greater skill and expertise in the art of stone sculpture in Sri Lanka.
The images at Gal Vihara have brought about higher level of awakening in
the observers with respect of Buddhist art in Sri Lanka.
Gal Vihara,
Polonnaruwa known as “The
Northern Temple” in the beginning of its history, is a cave complex,
about 27 meters in length and 10 meters in height at the centre and
sloping towards the ends, with sculptures carved on the solid rock in
four shrines.
Gal Vihara, like numerous other Buddhist shrines of Sri Lanka, is a shrine of Theravada Buddhism. Then again
Gal Vihara testifies to the influence of Mahayana Buddhism during the 12th century.
Caves of
Gal Vihara
Gal Vihara consists of four cave shrines with sculptures hallowed out of a granite rock.Caves from left to right are
(a) Cave of Vijjadharas,
(b) Excavated Cave,
(c) Cave of Standing Image and
(d) Cave of Reclining Image.
Between the Excavated Cave and the Cave of Standing Image is an
inscription. In front of the Excavated Cave are remains of a pavilion.
Though the brick walls of the four shrines had collapsed centuries ago,
the foundations remain giving evidence that each statue was separated
from one another.
Cave of Vijjadharas
The cave consists of a main image of Buddha sculpted out of the rock
boulder, having carved round and four small bas relief carvings of
Buddha. The small bas relief statues are carved on either sides, above
the head of the main image.
The main image depicts the chief of meditative Buddhas titled Dharmadhatu, Adi Buddha, Vairocana and Vajrasattva.
The four small images of the Buddha in Dhayani Mudra represent the four directions of the universe.
All five images are of Dhyana Mudra or meditative posture is believed to depict the all embracing Body of Law (Dharmakaya).
The Excavated Cave
The Excavated cave too houses an image of Buddha in dhayana mudra or
meditative attitude sculpted out of the rock boulder. The image herein
is smaller than the main image at Vijjadhara Cave.
The Cave of Standing Image
The Buddha statue rising to 7 meters in height herein, stands on a lotus
pedestal called Padmasana. Padmasana signifies that Buddha is a
transcendental being.
The Cave of Standing image: Ananda or Buddha
The standing statue is at the head of the massive reclining Buddha. The
standing statue’s placing of arms across the breast has caused a
controversy as to the identity of the statue. The early archeologists
believed the statue was that of Ananda, an attendant disciple of Buddha
grieving at the passing away of Buddha.
However, the subsequent studies at
Gal Vihara on the features of the statue have established that the standing image is that of Buddha and not of his disciple Ananda.
Firstly, since the standing image was once contained in its own shrine
room, separated by brick walls it has no relevance to the reclining
image. Though the brick walls of the three caves had collapsed several
centuries ago, the foundations can still be seen.
Secondly, the right-ward curled clusters of hair are only found on the
images of the Buddha and not on the images of his disciples in the same
period.
Thirdly, the Buddhist artists never offered the Lotus throne or
Padmasana to disciples Fourthly, the ears of the statue herein are
elongated. Of all the statues of Buddha, his disciples and deities, only
the images of Buddhas consist of elongated ears.
The Cave of Reclining Image
The reclining image of Buddha at this cave is 14 meter long. In spite of
the colossal proportions, the statue carries supreme grace and
serenity.
The Cave of Reclining Image: Reclining posture Vs. Parinirvana posture
The argument over the massive statue with respect of Buddha’s posture of
passing away and the posture of reclining was won over by the
proponents who established that the great statue at this cave is a
reclining image.
Firstly herein the Buddha statue with lotus symbol in the palms and
feet, is sculpted in the posture called Simhaseyya: the pose of a
sleeping lion. The lion sleeps resting its head on its right paw.
Secondly,in Sri Lanka the theme of passing away wasn’t taken as a popular feature in Buddhist art.
Thirdly the images that regularly accompany the images of Buddha’s
passing away, i.e.images of disciples, sal trees and flowers aren’t
present at this statue
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| Polonnaruwa North Sri lanka |
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| The great ruined capital Polonnaruwa |
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| Polonnaruwa South Sri Lanka |
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