An Investigation on Holy Circular House (Chakaghara)

Abstract

The ancient monastery complexes such as Hattikuchchi, Vijayaramaya, and Abhayagiriya contain some peculiar buildings. They are normally circular, rectangular or ellipsoidal shapes. These buildings were erected with a special design. The ground floor is open to all who recite Dhamma and others can see the occasion by gathering around it and it was quite high from the ground and was not erected to the regulations of the Adhiṣāna mentioned in the Manjusri-bhāṣita-vāstuvidyā-śāstra. The upstairs might had been made with timber but not with stone slabs though the ground floor was made with stone pillars and slabs. The chakagharas were designed to recite Dhamma, to place Dhamma books, to hold the discussions of Dhamma, and to write Dhamma books. Though they were renovated the usage of them which was not interpreted properly. The aim of this research is to give a real meaning of their usage, describing the architectural plan. Many scholars interpret it as oblation assembly, Uposathaghara or a peculiar building. The present writer identified the real usage of these buildings with support of inscriptions. Three inscriptions out of 64 contain the word ''chakagara" meaning circular house. Early Brahmi inscriptions contain a word ''patibanakuta''. Patibanakuta means the hall for reciting Dhamma stanzas once a week or a fortnight. In the doctrine of Buddha mentioned the chakra of Dhamma (Dhammachakra) and reciting the Dhamma frequently in the chakaghara by monks of the monastery together. Laymen and sāmaṇera Bhiksus could have viewed as they wish without participating in it. That type of practice has been made in the Anuradhapura period. Mahāvamsa mentioned as Dhammasangani Gharathe house for Dhamma, Dhammadhatughara and Dhammadatu Mandira, the depositing house of Dhammadhatu. Hence, the chakagara mean the house of Dhamma affairs prevalent in those monasteries. Methodology of this research based on field and literary survey. According to the facts revealed from newly discovered and interpreted inscriptions and from the plans can be proved it as Cakaghara in meaning of Dhammachakra building