Pancavasa (Biso Maligawa)
- Pancavasa (Biso Maligawa) with the Moonstone -
This Pancavasa located in the Abayagiri Monastery in Anuradhapura, now commonly known as Biso Maligaya
or the queen’s palace for no apparent reason is most famous for the moonstone found
in the main flight of stairs on the centre building. This moonstone is considered one of the the best and
most well preserved moonstone in this era. This moonstone is believed to be belonging to the 7-8 th Centauries.
A second moonstone with equal artistic quality can be found on a entrance to a building behind the Ratnaprasada.
The outer edge is designed with a ring of flames and below that is a ring filled
with 4 types of animals – The elephant, the horse, the lion, and the bull.
The next is a circle of a floral pattern (“liyawela”). Next is a
line of swans with a twig of flower and a leaf on their mouth. Next is again
a floral pattern and at the centre is lotus with petals all around the semi
circle on the moonstone.
The meanings of this combination of patterns are debated widely. One interpretation
is that the out ring of fire represents the never ending life and the pains
associated with it. The four animals represent the four noble truths (“Chathurarya
Sathya”) of Buddha. It is said that the swan can separate out milk from
a mixture of water and milk. Therefore once a person realizes the four noble
truths they can have true understanding of good and bad. They are capable of
filtering out the good just like the swan filters out milk. Once you do that
you are capable of attaining the “Nibbana” represented by
the lotus.
Another interesting fact is that the bull in the moonstones was apparently
dropped in the Pollonnaruwa
era (see Vatadage
in Pollonnaruwa) . Moonstones in this era lack this symbol and sometimes the
bull can be found on a higher pedestal on the sides of an entrance. This is
thought to be the influence of Hindus. The bull is a sacred animal to the Hindus
and trampling of this symbol was probably disrespectful.
Album
The main building there the famous moonstone lies |
One of the four associated residential units on one corner |
The famous Moonstone |
Remains of a Image House inside the main residential unit |
A Guard stone on the main central residential unit |
A Carving at the entrance of the main residential unit |
Updated :
October 5, 2008
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