A study of the building theory of ancient hospitals in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The impact of time and space always influences the man and the environment with a net balance of negative and positive energies. Other than the energy flow available in the surroundings, the compatibility of a human and space go in a journey until his death, writing a comprehensive story of the individual’s life. Thus explains the theory of “Vastu”. Though the term ‘Vas-’ has many meanings, it briefly means the land/Space for living, the building for living, and the treasured house hold items used in daily life. Having a productive life is determined on the match of these three factors mentioned above.While Health and Wealth are essential to reach the ultimate goal of a person, a considerable percentage of the progress is accounted by the surrounding of that particular being. As Lord Buddha states “Pathirupa desa vasocha” –A person should be wise enough to select his surrounding accordingly where his journey to the ultimate goal isn’t held back. Selecting the habitat, architecture, and the constructions are discussed in novel concepts under the sciences of Geopathy, Cosmic and Telluric energies. This knowledge has a new face matching with the modern world gaining an acceleration of popularity. The same topics were being discussed in Puranas, Samhithas and Veda. In this study it was observed that the Sthupa in ancient Sri Lanka and certain other constructions found in archeological sites have followed the pyramid theory of architecture which brings the expected effect in the designed space based on the manipulation of external energy flow. In addition to that it is expected to discuss whether the hospital concept in ancient Sri Lanka indeed followed this significant theory for achieving the maximum benefit among inward monks in the Mihinthale Ancient Hospital.