Dighavapi
Encyclopedia
Deegavapi or Dighavapi or Digavapi is a Buddhist sacred shrine and an archaeological site in the Ampara District
of Sri Lanka
, boasting of historical records dating back to the third century before CE. The name itself means, in Pali and in Sanskrit, Long ("Digha" and "Dirgha") Tank
("vapi"). Water reservoirs, called "tanks", were an important feature of the hydraulic civilization of ancient Lanka, and temples and cities were built around them. The importance of Dighavapi is connected with legends about visits to this site by the Buddha himself, and many allusions to Dighavapi in the ancient chronicles as well as in the Pali literature. It has also played a role in the political history of the region. In more recent (medieval) times, the Sinhalese kings have settled Moor
and Dutch settlers in the neighbouring areas.
, an ancient chronicle written in the 5th century CE, and the Dipavamsa
of an earlier date, contain a mixture of legend and historical facts. These chronicles state that the Buddha himself visited the village, and on the spot where he sat in meditation a cetiya was later erected (Mhv. Ch.i.78). The Dipavamsa and the important Pali work, the SamanthaPasaadika. (Ch i. v.89) also have allusions to Dighavapi. The chronicles also state that some of the early inhabitants of the region were Yakkas, a group of people referred to even in the Ramayana
, with genealogical links to the pre-Aryan 'Kirat' people of Northern India. While the likelihood of the Buddha
having visited Dighavapi is remote, the attachment of such a legend to this site indicates the veneration given to it even in ancient times. In a pious legend connected with the Dighavapi cetiya (Dhajagga Paritta), it is said (in the Pali literary work Saararthapakaasani) that once a samanera (a novice monk), helping to plaster the Dighavapi cetiya, fell from the top. His colleagues shouted to him to recall the Dhajagga Pirita. He did so, and was "miraculously saved".
There are many ancient inscriptions in the area. In 1986 a gold leaf inscription 14 cms. by 1.5 cms. had been unearthed.
The inscription had been deposited inside a reliquary made of thick gold sheets. The text of the inscription was as follows: "Hail. The stupa (reliquary) of King Mahitisa (Kannittha Tissa) son of King Naka ... etc.". King Kannittha Tissa reigned from 164- 192 CE. Other sites in this area have been discussed recently by the archeological researches of several workers including E. Medhananda
More detailed historical and lithographic records are available for the history of this region as a part of the Ruhuna kingdom, during the time of King Kavan-Tissa, the father of Dutugemunu. In fact, in the 3rd century before CE, the area was known as the district of "Dighamandala", or Digaamadulla" in Sinhala. Dutugamunu's brother, Tissa, governed it by the order of his father. Later, on the death of his father, he retired to Dighavapi with his mother and the elephant Kandula (Mhv.xxiv.2, 14f, 48). When he made peace with his brother, he was again sent there to look after the district and the Dighavapi region. After the re-conquest of the Pihiti rata (approximately today's Northern province), Tissa was again in charge of
Dighavapi, for we find him being sent for from there at the time of Dutugamunu's death (Mhv.xxxii.2)). Tissa (afterwards called Saddhatissa) founded the main Dighavapi-vihara, in connection with which he built a cetiya, to which he made valuable offerings (Mhv.xxxiii.9, 14)). There are further historical allusion to Dighavapi in connection with the campaigns of king Parakramabahu I, in the 12th century CE (Chv.lxxiv.89; 98, 110, 180; lxxv.1, 10)).
. This was on the understanding that the Dutch would dislodge the Portuguese
who were controlling the costal regions of Sri Lanka. The Dutch East India Company
(VOC) also got trading rights for cinnamon and other commercial products. By 1640 CE the Dutch won over Trincomalee (Gokanna) and Batticaloa (Madakalapuva) from the Portuguese but subsequently refused to hand over the littoral to Sinhala Rule, claiming compensation for military expenses. Descendents of the Dutch settlers of the region still live in the area and form the core of the Batticaloa
burghers
.
Another influx of people into the area occurred in 1736 CE. The Muslims
of the Batticaloa (Madakalapuva) area are descendents of Arab
refugees settled in the Ampara district (i.e., area around Dighavapi) by King Senerat 1n 1726. They had been expelled by the Portuguese from the south-west Maritimes (de Queroz).
Ampara District
Ampara district is one of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka. The district is administered by a District Secretariat headed by a District Secretary appointed by the central government of Sri Lanka. The headquarters is located in Ampara town...
of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, boasting of historical records dating back to the third century before CE. The name itself means, in Pali and in Sanskrit, Long ("Digha" and "Dirgha") Tank
Irrigation tank
For etymology, see Storage tank#Etymology.In India, an irrigation tank or tank is an artificial reservoir of any size. . It can also have a natural or man-made spring included as part of a structure...
("vapi"). Water reservoirs, called "tanks", were an important feature of the hydraulic civilization of ancient Lanka, and temples and cities were built around them. The importance of Dighavapi is connected with legends about visits to this site by the Buddha himself, and many allusions to Dighavapi in the ancient chronicles as well as in the Pali literature. It has also played a role in the political history of the region. In more recent (medieval) times, the Sinhalese kings have settled Moor
Sri Lankan Moors
The Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
and Dutch settlers in the neighbouring areas.
Legend and Ancient History
The MahavamsaMahavamsa
The Mahavamsa is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka...
, an ancient chronicle written in the 5th century CE, and the Dipavamsa
Dipavamsa
The Dipavamsa, or "Deepavamsa", is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka.It means Chronicle of the Island. The chronicle is believe to be compiled from Atthakatha and other sources around the 3-4th century. Together with Mahavamsa, it is the source of many accounts of ancient history of Sri...
of an earlier date, contain a mixture of legend and historical facts. These chronicles state that the Buddha himself visited the village, and on the spot where he sat in meditation a cetiya was later erected (Mhv. Ch.i.78). The Dipavamsa and the important Pali work, the SamanthaPasaadika. (Ch i. v.89) also have allusions to Dighavapi. The chronicles also state that some of the early inhabitants of the region were Yakkas, a group of people referred to even in the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
, with genealogical links to the pre-Aryan 'Kirat' people of Northern India. While the likelihood of the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
having visited Dighavapi is remote, the attachment of such a legend to this site indicates the veneration given to it even in ancient times. In a pious legend connected with the Dighavapi cetiya (Dhajagga Paritta), it is said (in the Pali literary work Saararthapakaasani) that once a samanera (a novice monk), helping to plaster the Dighavapi cetiya, fell from the top. His colleagues shouted to him to recall the Dhajagga Pirita. He did so, and was "miraculously saved".
There are many ancient inscriptions in the area. In 1986 a gold leaf inscription 14 cms. by 1.5 cms. had been unearthed.
The inscription had been deposited inside a reliquary made of thick gold sheets. The text of the inscription was as follows: "Hail. The stupa (reliquary) of King Mahitisa (Kannittha Tissa) son of King Naka ... etc.". King Kannittha Tissa reigned from 164- 192 CE. Other sites in this area have been discussed recently by the archeological researches of several workers including E. Medhananda
More detailed historical and lithographic records are available for the history of this region as a part of the Ruhuna kingdom, during the time of King Kavan-Tissa, the father of Dutugemunu. In fact, in the 3rd century before CE, the area was known as the district of "Dighamandala", or Digaamadulla" in Sinhala. Dutugamunu's brother, Tissa, governed it by the order of his father. Later, on the death of his father, he retired to Dighavapi with his mother and the elephant Kandula (Mhv.xxiv.2, 14f, 48). When he made peace with his brother, he was again sent there to look after the district and the Dighavapi region. After the re-conquest of the Pihiti rata (approximately today's Northern province), Tissa was again in charge of
Dighavapi, for we find him being sent for from there at the time of Dutugamunu's death (Mhv.xxxii.2)). Tissa (afterwards called Saddhatissa) founded the main Dighavapi-vihara, in connection with which he built a cetiya, to which he made valuable offerings (Mhv.xxxiii.9, 14)). There are further historical allusion to Dighavapi in connection with the campaigns of king Parakramabahu I, in the 12th century CE (Chv.lxxiv.89; 98, 110, 180; lxxv.1, 10)).
Medieval Times, Dutch and Muslim Settlers
The Dighavapi Vihara and Chetiya continued to receive Royal patronage and many pilgrims even in the worst of times. In 1638 CE King Rajasinghe II granted the area around Dighavapi and up to the coast to the DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. This was on the understanding that the Dutch would dislodge the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
who were controlling the costal regions of Sri Lanka. The Dutch East India Company
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
(VOC) also got trading rights for cinnamon and other commercial products. By 1640 CE the Dutch won over Trincomalee (Gokanna) and Batticaloa (Madakalapuva) from the Portuguese but subsequently refused to hand over the littoral to Sinhala Rule, claiming compensation for military expenses. Descendents of the Dutch settlers of the region still live in the area and form the core of the Batticaloa
Batticaloa
Batticaloa is a city in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. It is on the east coast, south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island.-Etymology:...
burghers
Burgher people
The Burghers are a Eurasian ethnic group, historically from Sri Lanka, consisting for the most part of male-line descendants of European colonists from the 16th to 20th centuries and local women, with some minorities of Swedish, Norwegian, French and Irish.Today the mother tongue of the Burghers...
.
Another influx of people into the area occurred in 1736 CE. The Muslims
Sri Lankan Moors
The Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
of the Batticaloa (Madakalapuva) area are descendents of Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
refugees settled in the Ampara district (i.e., area around Dighavapi) by King Senerat 1n 1726. They had been expelled by the Portuguese from the south-west Maritimes (de Queroz).