ME23

BUDDHHIST ART AND ARCHITECTURE
THE ARCHITECTURE OF STUPA

ME23 11-03-2011     (3:00 to 4:00)

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The architecture of ancient Sri Lanka displays a rich variety of architectural forms and styles, varying in style and form from the Anurādhapūra Kingdom to the Kingdom of Kandy. Buddhism had a significant influence on Sri Lanka architecture,since it was introduced to the island in 3rd Century B.C.

Various Patterns of Stupa

There are various patterns of architecture of stupa in Sri Lanka.Among than the following six types of patterns of Stupa are the most famous and popular in Sri Lanka.
          They are-
   1. Bubbulākāra = Bubble shape
   2. Dharyākāra = Heap of paddy shape
   3. Padmākāra = Lotus shape
   4. Ghathākāra = Bell shape
   5. Ghatākāra = Pot shape
   6. Āmalākāra = Myrobalan
       1. Buddulākāra [bubble shape]
In Sri Lanka, the Bubbulākāra ( bubble shape Stupa ) is the most common Stupas pattern. Example, Ruvanveli Seya is Ānuradhapūra, Kiri Vehera and Rankot vehera at Polonnarawa. They are Bubble shape Stupas. This shape is not only beautiful but also explained the Buddhist concept of impermanent (Anicca).Accordingly , the bubble is something which got destroyed very soon. In Buddhism, it is said that “Penapindupamaṃ rūpaṃ vedanā bubblūpamaṃ “ = the body is like a form, the feeling you get is like a waterdrops (bubble . This pattern explained the fact that human life is just like a water bubble.
      2. Dharyakāra [heap of paddy shape]
It is a Stupa taking a shape of heap of paddy. In Sri Lanka, a striking example is the Stupa at Kelaniya. At the beginning, Thupārāma also had the shape of paddy. But now it is different due to repaired.
     3. Padmākāra [Lotus shape]
This type of Stupa resembling a lotus is very rare in Sri Lanka. There has been one Stupa in Sri Lanka of this shape at ‘ Polunarawa. ‘ It is called ‘ Demalamahaseya. ‘ 

     4. Ghathākāra [ Bell shape ]
This Stupa takes a shape of a bell. According to the Archaeologist, Professor Roland Silva, ‘‘ Mahiyangana ‘ Stupa takes this shape.
     5. Ghatākāra [ Pot shape ]
This is a Stupa taking the shape of a Pot. According to Professor Roland Silva, Kiri Vehera in Kataragama and Somawathi Stupas have taken this shape at the beginning.
     6. Āmalākāra [ Myrobalan shape]
In Sri Lanka, during the early period, we do not find Stupas of this shape. In Sri Lanka ,during the later period, there have been Stupas belonging to other shapes also. At Polonaruwa there is a Stupa called “Sat Mahal Pāsāda.” It takes the shape of a pagoda in Mahāyāna countries. The shape is nearly square shape.

There has also been a peculiar type of Stupa at Pacinnatissa Pabbata of Ānuradhapūra. This Stupa is supposed to have eight sizes. There have been a Stupa is Ambara taking a shape of cylinder. These are example to show that during the later period Sri Lanka architectures try to construct Stupa taking various shapes.

Today also during this model period, we observed there are various designs of Stupas.The Padmākāra , Āmalākāra Stupas of ‘Ambepussa ‘ in Warakappola. In this Stupas, we observed both the Lotus shape and the Myrobalan shape had been connected together.
Therefore, the Stupas of Sri Lanka started from the very beginning take various shapes this can be considered as a beauty of architectural patterns.