Stupa Worship: An Investigation on Tiriyāyi and Kuccaveli Sanskrit Inscriptions

Abstract

Stupa worship goes back to the 6th century B.C. The information is about to be written in 3rd century B.C in Ceylon. B.C from one onwards, the influence of the Mahāyāna teachings occurred in this country and as a result, a few inscriptions are written in Sanskrit. From them, Mahāyāna teachings, religious beliefs, rituals and cults are well known. Information about the Stupa worship can be found only in few epigraphs. Of these, the two inscriptions of Tiriyāyi and Kuccaveli are special. Using the two inscriptions, the objectives are to study here, the view of the Mahāyānas about Stupa worship, what they are expecting from Stupa worship, and what are the steps they have followed for the Stupa worships. The inscription of the Kuccaveli composed around the 5th century A.D, has three small poems. The intention of the writer is to wish Buddhahood by his earned merits. Even if there is an intention of writer, there is no mention of merit (puñña kamma) what he had done. However, it can be assumed that the offering to the Stupa, because of the close up diagram of Stupa. Although the inscription of the Tiriyayi belongs to the 7th century A.D composed for the praise of Girikanḍi stupa, it has mentioned very clearly, the place of Girikanḍi chetiya, how the people worship the cetiya, three Buddha and worshiping for them, arrival of Sakka to worship the stupa, and wishing to free from suffering by stupa worship. According to this inscription, lotus flowers have been used for the stupa worship by the time. And also, the inscription mentions about three Buddha named Gautama, Awalokitesvara, and Manju Srī. This is the only one source found at the same place. The stupa worship was used in addition to various flowers such as fragrant water, incense, and gem lamp