Lighting up Thanthirimale: A tradition since 2004
View(s):The story of Thanthirimale dates back to an era when it was called “Thivanka Bamunugama”, owing to the Brahmin Thivanka making the peaceful grounds his abode.
It was during this time that Sangamitta Theri was entrusted with bringing a sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya -under which the Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment- across the waters to Lanka. History tells us that the delegation made a stop at Thanthirimale. The Brahmin Thivanka greeted his visitors with much hospitality, and was ultimately rewarded with one of the eight shoots of the sacred sapling, or Astamahapala Bodhi.
With the planting of the Astamahapala Bodhi, life changed for the better, as people flocked to attain the blessings of the sapling and took up Buddhism.
Today the village of Thanthirimale is preparing for Poson when the illumination of the stupa and its precincts, or Aloka Puja, will be done for the 10th consecutive time by the Wijeya Group. On June 22, 23 and 24 the illumination programme will not only light up the historic temple, but will also ‘light up the whole village’.
The first illumination programme by the Wijeya Group took place in 2004 when Chief Priest, Ven Thanthirimale Chandraratne Thera gave his blessings for it to be undertaken. Ven. Thanthirimale Chandraratne Thera is a disciple of the Ven. Kudakongaskada Wimalagnana Thera, who trudged barefoot to the present Thanthirimale –in the late 70s- braving the harsh terrain and wild animals in search of the Astmahapala Bodhi. Having found the sacred Bo tree, and shrine that the Thivanka Brahmin had built many centuries ago in honour of the tree, the dedicated monk made it his resting place – in the hope that one day it would be revered by Buddhist devotees all around the world.
Adding much historical significance to the area are two statues of the ‘Samadhi’ and Reclining Buddha that were not entirely completed due to Chola invasions at that time. Many believe that the craftsmen then moved to Polonnaruwa to create the magnificent Gal Vihara statues of the Buddha.
The Ven. Kudakongaskada Wimalagnana Thera was tragically killed by a terrorist bomb in July 1992. Ever since, Thanthirimale has been looked after by the Ven. Thanthirimale Chandraratne Thera, who is continuing in the footsteps of his guru in ‘bringing light’ to the village.
The Wijeya Group has worked to bring some improvement to the lives of the people of Thanthirimale. During the initial visits to the area, the Wijeya staff was moved by the difficult circumstances the people faced, the lack of proper water supply and electricity. The people’s livelihood depended on the cultivation of sesame, murunga, and mangoes. Children would follow the van, hoping for a biscuit or two. But today, 10 years later, agriculture is prospering, there is electricity and villagers even use solar energy, and a proper water system that runs from the nearby Malwathu Oya. They have their own little shops and sell biscuits to the staff, and to the many visitors who make the pilgrimage to Thanthirimale.
Then phone calls could only be made atop the huge rock outcrops, but today communication facilities are available at all parts of Thanthirimale. In tandem with the Aloka Pujawa, the Wijeya Group also donates uniform material and stationery to over 400 students of the Sangamitta Dhamma School. The Dhamma School was once deserted as the children lacked proper clothing and were ashamed to make their way to the school. However, today the school is thronged with children dressed in bright white sarongs and lama-saaris.
Ten years ago during the first year of the illumination, there were some 5000 devotees, but just last year there were over 750,000 – paying homage to the sacred Bo tree.
Poson programme
Thanthirimale is 42 km from Anuradhapura- turn right at Elayapattu, on the route to the north-west of Anuradhapura going to Vilachchiya. The roads have been built up and a journey that took more than two and a half hours earlier would only take half an hour now.
A Bhakthi Geetha recital and lantern competition are some of the highlights of this year’s programme while a special bana will be held on Poson Poya day, June 23.
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