Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.141

c7.141

Buddhism in practice has also been the patron of the lesser arts, as every vihāra and library testifies. Kings, and others according to their means, made gifts of gold and silver plate, books with painted or carved ivory or chased metal covers, to the vihāras, and ornamented furniture (from pottery to beds) to the priesthood, and such things as writing styles and fans to individual priests. Kīrti Śrī gave so much, that he has now the credit of having given almost everything of value now to be found in Kandyan Vihāras. In a tuḍapata of 1803 A.D., regarding the Koṭabogoḍa Vihāra, it is mentioned that Kīrti Śrī ‘built the Daḷadā temple in Kandy anew . . . and . . . did likewise make offerings of his own ornaments of gold and set with gems, pearls and diamonds, high and low lands, men slaves and women slaves, elephants, horses, white and black cattle’ (Lawrie’s Gazetteer, p. 472). In 1815 A.D. one Upāsaka Ranhoṭi Duraya (a lay preacher) of Haputale made offerings to a vihāra, of a “flag, beds, sheets, pillows, mattresses, brooms, iron walking-sticks, blank ola leaves for writing, daṇḍasana, pitchers, cans, spittoons, and tom-toms.” An image was made by subscription; an ambalam was erected and several eḍaṇḍu (log bridges) placed in position; note the practical charity. The temple itself “was built by the villagers, who joined in asweddumizing (reclaiming) a number of little deṇiyas throughout the hēna” (Lawrie’s Gazetteer, p. 328). Artificers were regularly employed for years together on religious buildings, and well rewarded for their work. Craftsmen holding temple lands were required to supply the requisites for the upkeep and service of the temple. In such countless ways was art bound up with the religious life of the people.