A study on the Contemporary Order of Monks’ Society based on the Sanskrit Inscription of Jetavana Monastery

Abstract

It is well-known fact that, the inscription of Jetavana monastery is occupied a significant place amidst other found inscriptions in Sri Lanka. Although, this inscription is identified as inscription of Jetavana, it has already been attested that, it’s real name is the inscription of Abhayagiriya, by giving apparent evidences by prof. Paranavitana. The inscription was found from near the place of KuttamPokuna of Anuradhapura and today it is available in the museum. It is lengthened in four feet and four trench and also it is widened in three feet and three trench. The various prosaic system of information has been inscribed by using around forty lines on the inscription. Currently, the middle part has only been survived of the inscription. This inscription has been written by using of Sanskrit characters. Further, the inscription belonged to the 9th century AD and it will be very helpful to study behavioral system of order of monks’ society in the mediaeval period.Having established Buddhism and built a lot of temples in Sri Lanka, the era of Anuradhapura can be distinguished as a great number of monks were lived there. By the time of writing this inscription, the administration of monasteries may have been considered as special duty of order of monk. In according to that, it can be identified that, the discipline, togetherness and protection etc. were highly regarded. Hence, the information of this inscription is very useful to investigate the contemporary society of order of monk. An emendation of order of monks was found in the negotiation of the inscription, is highly paid attention and which is distinguished as the very first occasion of inscribing in an inscription by the scholars. On the other hand, we can speculate that, by having organized this kind of monasteries negotiations, because of appearing decline characteristics of the order of monks by that time.It is very interesting to note that, this research will be disused about the order of monks in the era of Anuradhapura by attending acceptable evidences which are related to the Archaeology.