What is the hidden history behind The Cave Vihara in Hennaanigala

What is the hidden history behind The Cave Vihara in Hennaanigala

Hennaanigla Cave Temple, Mahaoya, Sri Lanka

This unique colossal rock which resembles with the 8^th wonder in the world Sigiriya is situated within the Maduruoya National Park nearly 9 Kms from the Mahaoya junction on Maoya - Arannaganvila road. This historical place is considered as the location where the troops of the Great King Gamini Abaya (King Dutugamunu, as chronicles name him) had been gathered. In the past, this place had been known as Hennanegala, so it' only little changed had been added to the name.

According to Mr. C. W. Nicholas, the author of "Historical topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon" describes this place as the biggest cave, engraved with Kataram,  found in Sri Lanka. But, he had failed to highlight the significance of the place. According to a rock letter, there had a been a city called Kasaba Nagara and few some other villages, namely, Giritishagama, Karajinitishagama and Vilagama. "Nokapike" found in the inscription had not been declared as a village by Mr. Nicholas, but Mr. Mudiyanse had done so. There are two special symbols found in the inscription, the symbol of the kingdom and the other is a symbol of a fish.

The inscription is as follows.

A particular dynasty called Meenaasi which is not documented in the chronicles is indicated in Varigapoornika. Vargapoornika discloses a true history in Heladiva (Sri Lanka) which is not taken in to notice by the chronicles. These two symbols can be seen in many other inscriptions as well.

According to the inscriptions, Sumana who lived in the period of the Buddha had connections with the lineage found here. The inscriptions which have connections with Sumana, Damaraja, Mahatishaaya and Abisawera too carry these two symbols. 'Abisawera' mentioned here is Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother Queen of Great King Gamini Abaya. The archeologists say that this is the lineage of the Queen Viharamahadevi.

Above mentioned inscription reveals the fact that a pooja (an offering or a declaration) of cities and villages had been occurred by two ruling systems. Hence, the villages which carry the name of Tissa may be ruled by the father of Gamini Tissa. Other villages and the city may come under the ruling of the king in the central region.

There are several reasons to support this pooja as something special. This pooja had been done as a public pooja and based on the way of Buddhist, a relationship to the time of Buddha can be seen here. A special name of an individual cannot be seen, instead a collective name had been mentioned in the pooja. There is a probability where the father of Gamini Tissa can be named as Tissa as well. Hence, this inscription is evident for a poojaa (an offering of food and other essentials) made by the ones in the generation bearing the family name Tissa and also the people of the king of the central region for the Darmasena (the army\troops of Dhamma or the crowd of the great Bhikkus) who gathered to this Hennaanigala.

In getting a precise understanding over the Darmasena gathered at Hennaanigala, it is necessary to go for an interpretation of the ancient name used for this place. The term "Nokapika" places an important role here.  This cannot be a name of a village. "Alms giving and other things were done continuously as Kapasaru" is the meaning of it.

Hennaanigla Cave Temple, Mahaoya, Sri Lanka ( Line of chambers\rooms built (presently destroyed ) against the wall of the colossal rock.

" Hennanegala (fykAkfkA., - fy  kA  k fkA  .  , ) "

In understanding the truth of the hidden history disclosed by this term, it is a must to interpret this appellation.

It should be explained from y + w  (Ha+A) to y + M (Ha+Ē). The formula goes as follows.

y + w, y+ wd, y + we, y + wE, y + b, y + B, y + W, y + W! and y + t.

According to this formula y + t comes as fy (He - as in Hennanega). Now, let's take these separately and understand the meaning of the word fy (He).

In the Magadhi appellation code, fy (He) is used for Jaathi (the birth or coming in to being). Following the seeds of Kamma, a birth will be occurred from the Ninth sphere,is the meaning of this. For this birth a Nine will be joined with another Nine.

Hence, Nice will come in and be united as two forms - internal and external. Apo, Thejo, Vayo, Pathavi, Varna, Ghanda, Rasa, Oja are those externals in Nine. Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara, Vinna, Naamarupa, Salayathana, Bhava and Jathi are the internals of this Nine. Here, in this process, the birth occurred by being united by two folds of Nine, becomes a Nine. This joining of Nine to Nine which depicts this birth is explained by "kk" (Nana).

The next letter, k, is used as k + ta. This formation of fka (Ne) will come under the tenth sphere and that is Jara (aging). The existence of Samsara (the circle of re-becoming of life) can be understood when it explained on the platform of Jara and Marana (Decaying and death). In this manner, it can be observed well the circle of Samsara - its crashing off, embracing in to it, experiencing its continuity.

Thipariwatta, Dwatha Dhamma and Niveema are included in the meanings of the names used for the ancient places which have connections with Buddha. Hence, the place called "Hennanegala" can be interpreted as the place where the Sena (the army, the crowd) of monks) gathered who had seen, experienced this Dharma and attended in to Nibbana, the ultimate fruition of the path of purification.

Chaithya or Dagabo at Hennanigala cave Vihara, Sri Lanka

The remaining frescoes of Hennaanigla Cave Temple, Mahaoya, Sri Lanka ( If no any actions to protect these priceless paintings are taken,it is certain that  they will vanish off within the very near future)

                                                                        
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Translated by Amal Meemanage (amalmeemanage@gmail.com)