In the past time Sri Lankan Buddhism faded with Buddha’s culture.
According to that effect the monks needed special places for doing their
meditation and other task. Because of that created the monastery tradition in
sri lanka. According to that propose a number of monasteries have been spread
in sri lanka.Arankele is a perfect place for isolation and seclusion. It is
specially designed to leave behind all the physical belongings and concentrate
our mind about the spiritual achievements.
This is a perfect place to
study about Three characteristics of existence(Thrilakshana) called
impermanence(Anithya), satisfactoriness(Dukkha) and non-selfhood(Anathma) and
place is designed providing facilities for those monks who dwell in this place
to achieve their goals by studying about those ‘’Thrilakshana” and various
philosophies teach in Buddhism.
Arankele is a forest monastery, situated at sathkoralaya in Hiriyala
Hathpaththuwa, kurunegala. It lie at a distance of 117km from Colombo. Arankele Forest Monastery, an archaeological
site, is reached by Colombo- Kurunegala- Ibbagamuwa – Moragolla road and
can be reach by turning West at 5th milepost and travelling 3 miles
off from main road. There it can be found lying underneath two mountain ranges
called “Dolu Kanda” and “Dum Kanda”. This is a fertile, productive valley,
which can be considered as a most convenient ground for living.
Arankale is located in thick green forest in intermediate zone surrounded by
rocks & streams creating the best environment for meditative monks. No
doubt it was a creation of a habitable environment without interfering with the
natural setting and the environment but, enhancing the aesthetic character to
get the maximum sense of tranquility.
Arankallee monastery is
occupied as far back as 3rd century BC. This monastery has
constructed by the supervision of King 2nd Dettathissa, younger son
of King Mahasen. He has presented this to the monks because he wanted to keep
the promise to his father that he will make a “aranya senasanya” for
Buddhist priests. As he has promised, he presented this to group of monks that
includes 1200 monks guided by Maliyadewa Maha Rahathan Wahanse. He was the last
Arahath monk in Sri Lanka. He was lived in a cave that is especially dedicated
to him in this monastery in a separate corner of the site.
Arankalee monastery is
located in Ganewatte Kurunagala District. This was situated in the intermediate
zone that has thick green natural forest area with hill slopes rocks and streams.
There are rich diversity of flora and fauna. This natural environment creates
the best environment for the meditative monks. It was a creation of habitable
environment without interfering the natural setting and the natural
environment. It also has enhance the aesthetics to give the maximum
tranquility.
The topography that has
situated in the area is exceptionally fitting to this build environment. One
corner is mountain area and other corner is low land area with water bodies and
some buildings. There are periodical water streams in the site. Although these
days the streams are dried off and disappeared people believe the streams were
always flowing in the past period. Although what you see today is most 6th
to 8th century AD. While extensive parts of the site have yet to be
excavated.
According to the archeologist Harcourt; the cave and the other buildings
belong to the second era of Anuradhapura civilization. Later this was
flourished during the period of Kurunegala, Gampola and Dambadheniya under king
Walagama, King Buddhadasa, King Sirisagabo and under King Jettathissa. This
site is about 62 Acers in extend.
Design
principals and concepts of Arankale
A main design principal of
Arankalee is using the natural element as much as possible to enhance the site.
This area was use to accommodate 12000 monks as mentioned. For this purpose the
whole area was used as Hospitals; medication purposes and educational purposes.
The monks’ rest areas are shifted to the forest areas and they were mostly
located in higher elevations in the mountains. The monks’ rest areas are
isolated from the major areas.
This monastery appreciates
the solid and void spaces that are created as rock caves for resting purposes.
The monks’ dwellings have created through the boulders and forest vegetation.
Natural rocks and boulders are beautifully merge together which displays
sustainable concepts through the landscape setting in Arankalle monastery.
In this landscape setting
use the geometric shapes to emphasis the naturel environment. Suqire,
retraiangel, circle hasused for special functions in pathways stoppages. These
geometrical shapes have phscologycaly effects a user to main functions. These
shapes make direct commands which make a clear lead to walk along a way and
avoid misdirection. Some design concepts in hydrology is used in this
monastery. Some marks in rocks that gives evidence of still water boundaries
that gives feeling of purified trusted sepatation.
Janathagaraya
This is a main building that was situated in the arankele. Its called
janatagaraya. It’s mean “Unupanhala”. This building used as a hospital. There
are 24 fire places and also one large fire place can be seen here. The evidence
of brick wall implies that it was an enclosed area. The large stone bathtub at
the center of this building seemed to have used for medical treatments. The
main entrence of this building was in west.
Chankamanagaraya
This place had been used
to meditate while walking. There had been a complete lavatory built at the
south-west corner of this building.
Sammukalena
This is a kind of waiting room for visitor in
monasteries, outsiders were not allowed to visit most part of the monastery as
disturbed the activities of sanga . As a result these kind of buildings were
constructed to keep them wait till someone comes and accompany them. It is said
that there was a bell system, which helped the visitors to summon sanga. The
massive stone pillars had been supported to bear the roof. Through there cannot
be found any decorative elements in other buildings of this monastery in this
building the basement composes of simple decorations such as stone carvings. It
may be because outsiders visited this building very often. This is a well
functioned building, which could be easily reached by sanga to meet visitors.
Ponds
Though there are evidences of several ponds
only one has been properly renovated. This particular pond is erected right
behind Sammukalena. It is said that these ponds were used for bathing and to
fulfill other basic requisites of sanga. At the same time those were
constructed as a part of landscape and even with the purpose of making the monastery
a cool place. Unlike the ponds found in Anuradhapura, Mihinthalaya and polonnaruwa
these lack decorative elements.
Pethmaga (Pathway)
This is one of longest pathways, which leads
from the caves to each section of the monastery. It connects each section and
makes it easier to achieve from one section to another. This is a sand paved
pathway and the lines of two edges are paved stones. This pathway consists of
chankamanapaya. Chankamandapaya was employed by sanga to rest when they were
returning from meditation grounds to the other section of monastery. The plan
from of this Chankamandapaya is circuler and it was built with per-caste
stones. This Chankamandapaya is one of the main features of Arankele forest
monastery. Generally, only Padanagara type of monasteries consists of
chankamandapaya.
Double platform building
Arankele monastery is defined as one of the
double platform forest monasteries. Hence this building is a special feature,
which characterizes Arankele monastery. In this monastery there is a one
properly renovated double flatform building and some evidence of several other
double platform buildings. These buildings belong to te third group of the five
categories of doule platform buildings as above mention in before. Under
planning of Buddhist monasteries. Here the main building consists of two
platforms. Those two are connected with a strong bridge and surrounded by a
stone paved terrace. There had been two side entrance in north and south and
the main entrance had been in east. The front platform consisted of a brick
wall. This double platform building differentiates with other double platform
buildings as there is no porch at the main entrance.
Bodhigaraya
When evaluating the structure of this
building. It can be identified as a Bodhiyagaraya or Asanagaraya. But with
regard to the other factors this idea cannot be further manifested. It that
were a Bodhiyagaraya or an Adanagaraya it would have been often visited by
laymen. In this building there is only one narrow entrence. Further it is
located in a place, which cannot be easily achieved. Even sacred object were
supposed to place in an elevated high ground level above other buildings, but
this was established on the same ground level of other buildings. Hence it is
hard to confirm the purpose of this constructing.
Materials
used in the site.
Fine materials are used to spread on the main path ways
and court yards in the monastery area. Granite and sand is the main material
used in the landscape. These materials gives echo friendly concepts to the
area. Granite absorbs harmful UV rays and cools the surrounding. Sand gives an
ideal feeling of softness that clearly work for the design purpose. It is user
friendly and environment friendly. The durability of the material was highly
considered in this design. Granite was the best structural material in this
area
Sand
When we consider about other
monasteries and temples in sri lanka we can see most of are used sand as a main
material for path ways and terraces. In those monasteries the main terraces are the
dominant place for the meditation. But in Arankele specially cater for the walking
meditation. Due to that reason the material of the main pathway should have been a very comfortable
for the foot. Fine material use to spread on the
main pathways and courtyards of surrounding buildings in the monastery.Material used for symbolize
spirituality of the place.Edges of the pathways are defined
using dressed stones and soft sand particles are spread on the space assigned
for walking. Sand is an ideal material for
landscaping because of its environmental friendliness and it give soft feeling
to users or their bodies when they are walking on it.
Hydrology
Arankale is a lawn land in
parallel to the direction from north to south, and where it’s in between the
two mountains, and it’s surrounded by two mountain hills from both west and
east. The forest range covered a whole lot of mountain range and this lead to
even after a rain season the water amount to be settled.
Water flows to the monastery
area from three directions, west, south and east. The ancient irrigation
systems are still assisting for the water flow through the canals. These canals
fulfill requirement of water moats around the “padanagaraya” building.
Throughout this studies it seems that “padanagaraya” constructed by mainly
focus on the surround of these main water canals. This water use for the basic
human needs such as bathing and drinking.
From the water where as they
coming from the hill areas, seems that there is a well water management systems
existed that those water has directed to the water streams. And once goes
through with these water canals culverts can be seen. During on a very rainy
season or a day the surround is getting a mystique feeling. Natural water flow
arrangement are never to be disturbed by the build environment, many Arahat
theros might had watch these water flows and could had engaged with meditation
process.
A water pond can be seen in
the Arankale monastery, the water can be used for many purposes with in that
period. The Arankale wewa is mainly enrich by the water coming from the hilltop
and the excessive amount of water that is off flow in the Arankale pond during
the rainy seasons. And it’ founded that the excessive water from the wewa goes
to the north direction through the canals to fulfill the “ahatugas wewa”. In
the present day this “ahatugas wewa” was not filled up with water only a barren
land can be seen therefore from a place called “Kadawala”, a canal starts named
as “ Mi gaha ala” which deploys to the “Kimbulmana oya” and then direct to the
“Daduru Oya”. And as stated in the epics the reason for named this monastery as
Arankela is that this monastery are is to be considered as a water collecting
place as a “V” shape and also it’s a known in the regional epic stories that a
golden pot was found in the aranakale pond.
Flaks and chrenicles have added more literal value for this incident.
The main water source is gain from the water pound and
throughout the canal water may have supplies to the monastery buildings in
elevated level And the water controls within the site is an amazing factor that
because with in the monastery premises there can be seen water flows coming from
the elevated area and it’s believed that it goes upward as well, so still this
mechanism can be witnessed. By doing these means that to keep the continuous
cool and comfort of the premises. And the water flows on the rocks and boulders
surfaces, a good Meta of utilizing the natural elements.
Granite
This pathway defined by
using well dressed curb stones. Edges of the pathways, steps, retain walls and
building in the monastery are made of cut granite stones and dressed granite
slabs and remaining of these stone pillars can be still seen on the premises of
Arankele. Durability of the material a main reason for using in the monastic
places such as Arankele which were dedicated for higher purposes. Also granite
was the best structural material in that era . Almost all the buildings were
done with prefabricated stones and stone pillars. They were sharply cut and
well smoothened.
Vegetation
Pattern in Arankale forest monastery
In a forest monastery, the
dense of forest plays a major role. Arankale forest monastery is a brilliant
example for that. And when considering
the region where it’s situated, the monastery itself entitled with its own a
higher rich in a bio diversification with in the monastery premises. Forest
monasteries take an advantage of its inherent bio diversification; they can be
listed as follows.Assist in meditational purpose and then to
get a silent, calm and to get a dark environment.
- To get herbal medicines.
- As wooden equipment.
- For construction purposes.
- To act as termite résistance.
- To manufacturing herbal lotions.
- As fuels.
Types of tree with in the monastery premises where they are
used as herbs
“Wara” - to resist in snake poisons, and poisons
occurs due to insects attacks
“Lunu warana” – for fractal joints,
broken arms, legs and also for itches diseases.
“Bovi” – fractal joint
“nidikumbba” – as a cure for blood
cleaning
“Kaduru gediya” – for constipation
problems
“Yaki naran” – tonsils and cold, use
these herb through the in heals.
“Panam Pethi” – for bone fractal
“makkulu” – to resist in tarantula
poisons.
“Kothala himbhut” – to control the
diabetes.
“Wal koththamalli” – to control
diabetes.
“Bin kohomba” – for comas and cancers
“Akkapana” – for kidney diseases and
cold.
“Iramasu” – as a herbal drink
“Penaya” – as a herbal drink
“kaduru” – as a termite resistant
“Karapincha” – an a disinfectant
“Mushrooms” – for cold
Types of plants that are used to do craft and for
construction
Kohomba - Azadiachta indica
Murutha - Lagerstroemin flos-reginae
Mee - Madhuca longifolia
Mango - Mangifera indica
Diya Naa - Mesua ferrea
Nelli - Phyllanthus emblica
Tamarind - Tamarindus indica
Bulu - Terminalia bellerica
Aralu - Terminalia chebula
Kohomba - Azadirachta indica
Ehela - Cassia fistula
Diwul - Limonia acidissima
Kumbuk - Terminalia arjuna
Bulu - Terminalia bellirica
Siyambala - Tamarindus indica
These types of tree plant
use for wood construction and some tree species that can be seen in the
premises where they store nutrients and water in there stem such as
“hirurassa”, “pathok”, “uluk”, “nawan handi”.And where ever any moisture or
eater contaminated places “madu” species of plants can also to be seen in the
monastery premises. And these moisture lead for the growth of algies,lycons and
different types of moss in different weather conditions.
And the upper portion in the
monastery complex consist with tree species such as “beduru”,”gal beru”, “man
hadiya”, “thasipethi” etc.
And another important fact
is that how this forest monastery got its name, that because in ancient times
this hill top area was filled with plants where they were used to engaged with
some spiritual occasions. And this hill area was looked as a fog, so that’s how
the name got. Apart from that “kaduru gediya” species also to be seen in the
area.
Arankale monastery mainly
consisted with higher rich in bio diversification of flora and fauna. And as
the epics told by The land is surrounded by the ancient “dolukanda”, “dunkanda”
and “madukanda” mountains and are full of trees with medicinal and
timber value.
After King Jethatissa, King
Mahasen and King Buddadasa too added their touch to the monastery. It is
believed that King Buddadasa, who was also a specialist in Ayurveda, instructed
the planting of medicinal plants around the monastery.
Today none of this remains
except for the ancient trees and creepers which protect the monastery from the
greedy eyes of treasure hunters and tree cutters. However, the Buddhist monks
still use these grounds for meditation. This rejection and solitude has
attracted other kinds of inhabitants. Numerous species of reptiles, amphibians,
butterflies and other types of insects are a common sight to anyone who visits
Arankale. (arankale monastery)
