A Study of How the Traits of the Buddha as Portrayed in Ancient Prose Literature May Have Influenced the Design of the Polonnaru Buddha Statue (Especially From Butsarana and Amavatura Texts)

Abstract

Changes in the nation's religious and architectural landscape resulted from the Chola invasions during the reign of Polonnaru, and Buddhism was unmistakably under threat from Hinduism. The historical research method is the one used in this study. The Buddha is said to have eighty anuvyanjana traits and 32 great masculine characteristics, according to Amavathura and Butsarana. Amavathura, which describes the great masculine characteristic of 'Supathittitapada', says that 'Hey Supihitipatul she was formed by the sign of Detismaha Puris', and in Butsarana, 'Sesusatun Bima Paa Kala Adi Kota Akpatla or Bima Ebe.' Viluma or Bima Ebei. Because Sripada, who is located in Mana Ve, is the first Buddha with outstanding male traits, it is said that. This trait is well illustrated by the standing statue in Thuparama in Polonnaruwa, the standing and reclining statues in Gal Vihara, and the standing statue in Medirigiriya Watadage. The ornate soles of the Saklakuna are seen and bowed down, and Pyumraminivan Ras Vihiduna eight hundred and eighty wedding signs encircled by the Nabayo Dhaliznim see the ornate soles of the Saklakuna, according to the Amavatura, which describes the chakra characteristics of Sri Patala. The Buddha statue and the reclining Buddha statue in the Polonnaru stone temple have taken the position of Sri Patla's circular features in Butsarana, although it is now impossible to see as many lotus rings, etc. In the Butsarana about Padanguli and Hastanguli, it is said that 'they had the characteristics of the fourth Mahapurusha as they had elongated fingers like a rice ball', and it can be seen how the artist tried to bring out this characteristic of the Mahapurusha in the creation of the Galvihara Buddha statues. It is challenging to see this feature in sitting Buddha statues, but the Reclining Buddha statue of Stone Vihara and Potgul Vehra also exhibits the ability to rub both palms simultaneously with unbent hands. However, because the hand's elbow portion is as long as the waist, it can be stretched to the knee by extending the portion below the elbow. Given that the Chola invasions during the Polonnaru period caused religious confusion, it is reasonable to assume that the artist may have drawn inspiration from these books when creating an actual living Buddha image.