Padapitika

Padapitika[i]

The footrest used by Buddha to place his sacred feet is called Padapitikaa. This footrest has its great historical values. The history of Lanka dates back to thousands of years and this is evident by the acceptable facts found in the Story Padapitika[ii]. The worship of sacred footprints of the Buddha was an ancient custom prevailed in Lanka. These Padapitikas can be found at the historical places which date back to Buddha’s era. What we can see at the museum at Anuradapura are nothing else but these Padapitikas. The stones of sacred footprints which were discovered from a vicinity of Anuradapura are piled up at the museum ground. By reading the Story Padapitika in Saddharmalankaraya with a more realistic approach, we can realize the truth hidden in it.

(Saddharmalankaraya, chap.7,page 246)

Note –Buddhists living in Sri Lanka organize Bana ceremonies (sermons or Dhamma discussions) at their homes (or at the monastery or any other special places) for many reasons.  A head table is place for the preacher; the Buddhist monk. In many occasions, even up to data, it is the custom to place a footrest in front of the chair used by the monk. Padapitika is the reason behind this custom.

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[i] Padapitika is prounanced as Paa-da-pi-ti-kaa.

[ii] This is a story in Saddharmalankaraya, an ancient Buddhist book.

(Picture courtesy - http://amazinglanka.com/heritage/deegavapi/deegavapi.php)

Translated by Amal Meemanage (amalmeemanage@gmail.com)