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Ramukkana Viharaya Slab Inscription |
Ramukkana Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: රමුක්කන රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhiat temple situated in Bandaragama in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka.
History
The history of Ramukkana Viharaya is obscure as the temple's name isn't mentioned in ancient texts. However, it gained archaeological importance in 1997 when renovation work led to the discovery of an ancient slab inscription belonging to the period between 1st to 2nd century A.D. Only a fragment of the inscription has survived, leaving its full message uncertain. It refers to two "Bhanaka monks" who are believed to have skilled in orally preserving the Dhamma before it was written down, particularly during the era of King Valagamba (103, 89-77 B.C.) of Anuradhapura. These monks belonged to different groups, each specializing in memorizing parts of the Sutta Pitaka, such as the Dīgha, Majjhima, Saṃyutta, Aṅguttara, and Khuddaka Nikayas. The inscription at Ramukkana identifies two Bhanakas associated with the Saṃyutta Nikaya.
Slab Inscription
This inscribed slab is found preserved on the temple premises.
Period: 1st-2nd century A.D. Script: Late Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala
Content: This inscription mentions about a Samyutta Bhanaka monk named Mahacitta of a Maha Vihara and a Samyutta Bhanaka monk of another monastery.
References: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Higher Education & Cultural Affairs.
A Protected Site
The two ancient stone seats/slabs and other architectural remnants on the premises of Ramukkana Rajamaha Vihara, situated in Ramukkana village in the Raigam Korale belonging to the Divisional Secretary’s Division of Bandaragama are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 24 May 1968.
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References
Government Gazette Notifications
1) The Government Gazette Notification. No: 14803. 24 May 1968.
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Attribution
To Whom
LankaPradeepa.com extends its gratitude to Lalith Kekulthotuwage for providing the necessary photographs required for this article. All the photos are published here with the permission of the author.