Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c10.s2.3

c10.s2.3

By far the most important ceremony connected with the building and decoration of a vihāra or with its renovation (*jarā-ves-arinava*) was the actual *nētra maṅgalya* or Eye ceremonial. The ceremony had to be performed in the case of any image, whether set up in a vihāra or not. Even in the case of flat paintings it was necessary. D. S. Muhandiram when making for me a book of drawings of gods according to the Rupāvaliya, left the eyes to be subsequently inserted on a suitable auspicious occasion, with some simpler form of the ceremony described. Knox has a reference to the subject as follows: "Some being devoutly disposed, will make the Image of this God (Buddha) at their own charge. For the making whereof they must bountifully reward the Founder. Before the Eyes are made, it is not accounted a God, but a lump of ordinary Metal, and thrown about the Shop with no more regard than any thing else. But when the Eyes are to be made, the Artificer is to have a good gratification, besides the first agreed upon reward. The Eyes being formed, it is thenceforward a God.‡ And then, being brought with honour from the Workman's Shop, it is dedicated by Solemnities and Sacrifices, and carried with great state into its shrine or little house, which is before built and prepared for it. Sometimes a man will order the Smith to make this Idol, and then after it is made will go about with it to well-disposed people to contribute towards the Wages the Smith is to have for making it. And men will give freely towards the charge. And this is Netra looked upon in the man that appointed the Image to be made, as a notable piece of Maṅgalya Devotion.”