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Anuradhapura was the major centre of Sinhalese Buddhism and the principal city of Sri Lanka from the 3rd century BC to 10th century AD. The focus of this study is the remains of the Buddhist monasteries in and around the city, devising a framework to study Sinhalese monastic architecture and attempting to interpret the Sinhalese tradition. Major forms and concepts are placed in their historical and architectural contexts.
This is the most comprehensive and systematic treatment of the monasteries of Anuradhapuras. It brings together and re-examines material uncovered by over one hundred years of archaeological exploration and research in Sri Lanka.
The Introduction reviews the historical and archaeological significance of Anuradhapura, the concept of a Sinhalese tradition and considers constructional methods.
Section One of the book deals with the monastic plan and examines the four major types of monastery or sub-monastery.
Section Two explores the form and development of the main building types in the monasteries.
Section Three discusses architectural form in general.
The essentially mixed brick-and-timber architecture of Anuradhapura is a classic expression of the Sinhalese tradition with its roots in the organic building conventions of the country. It represents a particular and distinctive characterisation of the architecture of Monsoon Asia to be viewed within the broad perspective of the unity and differentiation of cultures in the region.
Senake Bandaranayake is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Professor Bandaranayake has published over one hundred research papers and authored or edited a number of books including Sri Lanka-Island Civilisation (1977); Sigiriya: Excavations and Research (1984); Ivan Peries Paintings: 1938-88 (1986; co-authored with Manel Fonseka); The Settlement Archaeologyof the Sigiriya-Dambulla Region (1990; co-editor); The Rock and Wall Paintings of Sri Lanka (1996) and most recently Sigiriya: City, Palace, Gardens, Monasteries, Paintings (2005) and The University of the Future and the Culture of Learning (2007).
List of Figures List of Plates Acknowledgements Abbreviations
Introduction
Architecture as historical material Methodology The concept of plan The analytical scheme The historical significance of Anuradhapura The concept of a Sinhalese tradition Constructional methods: The underlying unity of organic and formal architecture The monasteries of Anuradhapura Chronology and periodisation of Ceylonese history Terminology
SECTION ONE THE MONASTIC PLAN
I. the organic monastery II. pabbata vihara III. pañcayatana parivena IV. padhanaghara parivena
SECTION TWO THE BUILDING TYPES
V. shrines and sanctuaries Cetiyaghara Bodhighara Patimaghara
VI. ecclesiastical buildings Uposathaghara Upatthanasala
VII. residential buildings Pasada Kuti Bhojanasala and Jantaghara
SECTION THREE THE ARCHITECTURAL FORM
VIII. substructure and superstructure Substructure Superstructure
appendices
Bibliography
Index