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Vesak Series II: The Life of the Buddha The second set of Rs.2.50 Vesak stamps 2006 deals with, 'The Buddhahood' recording some events from the life of the Buddha.
'Maara Paraajaya' or the defeat of 'maaras' (evils) by the Buddha is a popular subject featured in temple murals. The one featured in the stamp (top left) is a 19th century painting at the Hindagala Viharaya in Peradeniya (seen on the right of the stamp). The first sermon of the Buddha after Enlightenment as depicted in a mural at the Dambulla rock temple (late 18th century) is featured in the top right stamp. Delivering the Dhammackkapav- -attana Sutta to five ascetics, the Buddha preached on the need to avoid the two extremes and follow the Middle Path. In the sixth year after Enlightenment, the Buddha set off on foot to meet a ferocious demon named 'Aalavaka' who resided in a city named Aalavi. The Buddha saw that the demon could be helped to give up his vicious nature and follow the path of the Buddha. The 19th century painting (second row left) is from the Sapugoda Viharaya, Beruwala. The painting depicting the funeral pyre after the Buddha's Parinibbana is from a wall painting at the Veheragalla Samudragiri Vihara, Mirissa. The fifth stamp shows the Buddha's lay disciples Tapassu and Bhalluka arriving at Tiriyaya near Trincomalee with the Buddha's hair relics which are enshrined in Girihandu Seya, Tiriyaya. |
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