The sacred Seruvila Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the most historic Buddhist temples located close to Trincomalee (Gokanna) in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The place is also known as Seruwavila by the locals.
Seruvila can be reached via Kanthale or Trincomalee. The rout via Kanthale runs through the dense forest. It is only 40 km from Trincomalee via Muttur to Serwavila. The place can also be reached by sea. The sea rout starts at Trincomalee and ends at Muttur. From Muttur one has to take the land rout. The ancient visitors to Seruvila preferred the sea rout because it was a difficult journey on land through the dense forest infested with ferocious wild animals.
Seruvila/ Seruwavila:
Seru in Sinhalese is referred to a water bird belonging to the family of 'teals'. 'Vila' in Sinhalese means 'lake'. The region is a vast area of low land where the flood waters of the Mahaweli (the longest river in Sri Lanka) get collected. The lakes or rather the swamps in the area had been the home for large flocks of teals. Hence the area was known as 'seruvila' or 'Seruwavila'.
Seruvila Rajamaha Vihara is situated within the Mahaweli Delta. The Mahaweli ends its long arduous journey from the Eastern Province close to ancient Gokanna or as it is known today Trincomalee. Closer to the sea the Mahaweli gets divided into two. One of them falls into the sea from Verugal Aru at Lanka Patuna. The other ends its journey at Muttur. The hallowed precincts of Seruvila is snuggled in this Delta formed by the two rivers.
(Seruvavila )
(The Mahaweli Delta)
The Mixed Community in the area.
Seruvila is surrounded by Sinhala , Tamil and Muslim villages.
The Sinhala Villages:
Seruvilagama, Kavantissa Pura, Mahinda Pura , Seru Nuwara, Mahaweligama, Somapura, Siri Mangala Pura, Neelapola, Dehiwatta etc..
Tamil Villages:
Poonagar, Kiliweddi, Ichchalampattu, Verugal, Ilangathurei etc.
Muslim Villages:
Thoppur, Selvanagar etc
The presence of a large Tamil and Muslim population in the area was due to the South Indian invasions which destroyed the Buddhist cultural fabric and the prosperity of ancient Sri Lanka.
The scattered remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries and tanks which date back to thousands of years bear a formidable witness to the fact that the Eastern Province was the traditional homeland of the majority Sinhalese Buddhists.
However, with the frequent invasions and the mayhem caused by the invaders in the coastal areas the Sinhalese inhabitants were pushed towards the South or more interior parts of the country.
The South Indian invaders destroyed most of the Buddhist monasteries and everything that belonged to the Sinhalese. The same fate befell on the sacred Seruvila monastery, too and gradually it was subdued by the dense forest. The sacred Buddhist Stupa which enshrines the sacred 'forehead bone' (lalata datu) of the Gauthama Buddha went into oblivion from the Buddhists.
Though the place is clearly mentioned in the Datuwamsa: a book often read by the erudite Buddhists, only a few people showed an interest in discovering the ruined stupa hidden in the deep forest of Seruvila.
The most remarkable visit to the ruined stupa was made by Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedalankara Thero with a group of Buddhists in 1921. It was a turning point in the story of Seruvila Buddhist Temple. The historic visit paved the way for the Sri Lankan Buddhists to worship one of the most sacred places in the country. A part of Sri Lankan heritage which was on the brink of total destruction was revived and bestowed to the world.
[ The details of the reconstruction of the Seruvila Raja Maha Vihara starting from 1921 are mentioned in detail in the book written by Lakshman Kahatapitiya titled 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya' which is availabe at the temple]
Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedalankara Thero
Though the place is clearly mentioned in the Datuwamsa: a book often read by the erudite Buddhists, only a few people showed an interest in discovering the ruined stupa hidden in the deep forest of Seruvila.
The most remarkable visit to the ruined stupa was made by Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedalankara Thero with a group of Buddhists in 1921. It was a turning point in the story of Seruvila Buddhist Temple. The historic visit paved the way for the Sri Lankan Buddhists to worship one of the most sacred places in the country. A part of Sri Lankan heritage which was on the brink of total destruction was revived and bestowed to the world.
[ The details of the reconstruction of the Seruvila Raja Maha Vihara starting from 1921 are mentioned in detail in the book written by Lakshman Kahatapitiya titled 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya' which is availabe at the temple]
Ven. Dambagasare Sri Sumedalankara Thero
( A picture depicting the historic visit to the ruined stupa by the Ven. thero and the starting the reconstruction work of the stupa)
It is believed according to the Datuwamsa that the place where the stupa has been constructed had also been the holy precincts where the relics of three other Buddhas namely Kakusanda, Konagama and Kassapa were kept and venerated. Besides this, it is believed that the Gauthama Buddha visited Seruvila on his third visit to Sri Lanka in the 8th year after enlightenment. There the Guathama Buddha had prophesied that 'a king by the name Kavantissa would build a magnificent stupa enshrined with lalata datu in a corner of the lake Seru besides the crop of rock named waraha Sonda upon the right bank of the river Mahaweli'.
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King Kavantissa
According to the Datuwamsa the Seruvila Mangala Maha Seya was built by the great king Kavantissa. He was the king of Ruhuna at the time. King Kavantissa was also the father of the great king Dutugemunu. King Kavantissa married princess Viharamaha Devi whose father was Kelanitissa. It is believed that the king had enshrined in the stupa a gold image of the Gauthama Buddha with the relics of lalata datu: the forehead bone; the largest of the relics of the Buddha and some strands of sacred hair.
The history of the Seruvila Temple has been summed up through paintings in the image house.
The Separatist War in Sri Lanka and Seruvila:
Father: Mudannayake Appuhamilage Piyadasa
Mother: Juvan Pullelage Misinona
Birth: 26 March 1940
Lay name: Mudannayake Appuhamilage Jayasumana
Schools: Udugampola School , Banduragoda Maha Vidyalaya
Settled down in Seruvila in 1948 with parents , educated under Ven. Wadumulle Medananda Thero at the Pachchanoor temple close to Muttur.
Entered the order on Nov.3 1952
The role of Seruvila Saranakitti Thero cannot be forgotten when one talks about the era of fear psychosis created by the ruthless L.T.T.E. terrorists. The terrorist guns could not silence Ven. Dammakitti Thero despite number of failed attempts on his life. He never left the innocent civilians who were suffering untold hardships as a result of the brutality of the L.T.T.E. terrorists. People rallied round him for help when the then political leadership (UNP) repeatedly requested him through various channels to come to Colombo for his safety.
He wanted to die with the people of Seruvila. His fervent belief was that he was protected by the Noble Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma and Sanga. When the government offered to provide him security with a few army personnel he vehemently refused on the grounds that an armed soldier's role in providing security to an individual was limited. He argued that a large number of world leaders with top security were assassinated in broad daylight and their armed body guards could not prevent them. His belief was that the merits he had gathered during his samsaric journey (the line of one's births ) and his actions so far in this birth would decide his fate. He said that he was ready with the 'ticket' at any moment to leave his life.
Once Late Mr. Athulathmudali, a powerful minister of the then UNP government, arrived by helicopter to coerce the Ven. Thero to come with him to Colombo. The discussion that took place was an interesting one according to Lakshman Kahatapitiya who authored 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya'. It shows the rigidity of a leader at a critical moment. For the politician what was of value was an individual monk; not the holy premises or not the thousands of innocent civilians dying at the hands of the terrorists. He had reportedly told the minister that the motive of the then incumbent president J.R.Jayawardane was to write off this land (country) to the terrorists. [ "The man called J.R.Jayawardane is going to hand over this country to the 'tiger'." ] The minister turned back and the Ven. Thero continued to live at the temple providing relief to the war weary people.
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[Marvil Aru Anicut]
Ven. Munhene Meththarama Thero
UPDATED ON 21 / 08 /2019
The beauty of a stupa with the sun-set. Seruwawila.
The devotees walking around the stupa.
The precise placing of the newly built image house is magnificent.
The picturesque temple premises.
The Seruvila temple was once again under threat with the start of the Tamil insurgency after 1982. This was not new for Seruvila because throughout the long history of Seruvila the region had constantly faced Cholla and Pandya invasions. When king Kavantissa constructed Seruvila Stupa enshrined with the sacred Lalata Datu the Northern part of Sri Lanka was ruled by Elara: a Tamil warrior king. The rule of Elara was terminated by King Kavantissa's own son, prince Dutugemunu.
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During the Tamil separatist war pilgrimage to the holy temple was only a nightmare until the Eastern Province was relieved from the clutches of ruthless terrorists under the great political leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksha. His leadership could see an end to the bloody war. It is the bold and correct political leadership of a country that brings about prosperity to a nation. The development projects were undertaken; roads and bridges were reconstructed ; the livelihood of the people were guaranteed and today anyone can visit the holy temple at any time of the day.
πππOn a visit to the holy land of Seruvila do not forget to walk down the memory lane and thank every one who made your dream a reality ; hundreds of soldiers who sacrificed their today for your tomorrow. Offer a flower in memory of those great men and women.
Ven. Seruvavila Saranakitti Thero:
[ Adapted from the book: 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya' written by the prominent writer Lakshman Kahatapitiya ]
[ Adapted from the book: 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya' written by the prominent writer Lakshman Kahatapitiya ]
Mother: Juvan Pullelage Misinona
Birth: 26 March 1940
Lay name: Mudannayake Appuhamilage Jayasumana
Schools: Udugampola School , Banduragoda Maha Vidyalaya
Settled down in Seruvila in 1948 with parents , educated under Ven. Wadumulle Medananda Thero at the Pachchanoor temple close to Muttur.
Entered the order on Nov.3 1952
The role of Seruvila Saranakitti Thero cannot be forgotten when one talks about the era of fear psychosis created by the ruthless L.T.T.E. terrorists. The terrorist guns could not silence Ven. Dammakitti Thero despite number of failed attempts on his life. He never left the innocent civilians who were suffering untold hardships as a result of the brutality of the L.T.T.E. terrorists. People rallied round him for help when the then political leadership (UNP) repeatedly requested him through various channels to come to Colombo for his safety.
He wanted to die with the people of Seruvila. His fervent belief was that he was protected by the Noble Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma and Sanga. When the government offered to provide him security with a few army personnel he vehemently refused on the grounds that an armed soldier's role in providing security to an individual was limited. He argued that a large number of world leaders with top security were assassinated in broad daylight and their armed body guards could not prevent them. His belief was that the merits he had gathered during his samsaric journey (the line of one's births ) and his actions so far in this birth would decide his fate. He said that he was ready with the 'ticket' at any moment to leave his life.
Once Late Mr. Athulathmudali, a powerful minister of the then UNP government, arrived by helicopter to coerce the Ven. Thero to come with him to Colombo. The discussion that took place was an interesting one according to Lakshman Kahatapitiya who authored 'Eithihasika Seruvila Loka Urumaya'. It shows the rigidity of a leader at a critical moment. For the politician what was of value was an individual monk; not the holy premises or not the thousands of innocent civilians dying at the hands of the terrorists. He had reportedly told the minister that the motive of the then incumbent president J.R.Jayawardane was to write off this land (country) to the terrorists. [ "The man called J.R.Jayawardane is going to hand over this country to the 'tiger'." ] The minister turned back and the Ven. Thero continued to live at the temple providing relief to the war weary people.
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In Lakshman Kahatapitiya's interview with the Ven. Dammakitti Thero he accuses former president Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayake and her deputy security minister Mr. Anuruddha Ratwatte for closing down a number of army camps: Kajuwatta, Vakerei, Kadirawelli, Verugal, Ichchalanpattu, Sampoor etc. to name a few, along the strategically important coastal belt up to Trincomalee. The Ven. Thero asserts that those camps were removed purportedly for a military operation in the North despite the repeated requests made by him and other civil organizations. Thus the Ven. Thero indirectly accuses Mrs. Chandrika for exposing the people in the region for LTTE brutality. This ad- hoc move by the Chandrika government strengthened the LTTE clout on the region. This is a very serious accusation he boldly levels at the Chandrika regime.
The closure of the Marvil Aru Anicut by the LTTE in 2006 ,as agreed by many analysts , was a turning point in the Sri Lankan Tamil Terrorist War.
When the Ven. Thero came to know of the closure of the anicut he was on his way back to the temple from Colombo. He made a tremendous effort to get the anicut opened by the terrorists through his various contacts but for no avail. This is where a novel chapter of the civil war was turned under the political leadership of president Rajapaksha. According to the Ven. Thero it was only President Rajapaksha that took measures to annihilate terrorism the proper way and bring the island under one flag. Thanks to those valiant efforts made by Rajapaksha, the heroic tri-forces and many sacrifices made by true patriotic people like the Ven. Dammakitti Thero today we enjoy freedom in this beautiful island.
After a long memorable leadership to the temple Ven. Sranakitti Thero transferred his active role Ven. Munhene Meththarama Thero: the present chief incumbent of the Seruvila Temple.
UPDATED ON 21 / 08 /2019
The beauty of a stupa with the sun-set. Seruwawila.
The picturesque temple premises.
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