Devas, Demons and Buddhist Cosmology in Sri Lanka: Apotheosis and the Spiritual Progression of Hūniyam

Description

This book examines the worship of devas and demons in Sri Lanka, illustrating how diverse influences interacted to create the Sinhala Buddhist cosmology. The work explains the processes by which apotheosis plays an important role in revitalizing that cosmology. The author offers an examination of holy sites associated with the worship of Hūniyam. These sacred spaces each have a unique background historically, and the ritualists associated with these sites have divergent understandings concerning Hūniyam. Building upon the examination of the temples, the book delves into the iconography of Hūniyam, illustrating his transformation from demon to deity in the manner that he is depicted in imagery associated with his worship. The book moves to a discussion of Ariṭṭa Kivenḍu Perumāl, a South Indian adventurer, demonstrating the likelihood that he is the historical figure later apotheosized as Hūniyam. Sri Lankan society felt his impact so strongly, that in death he became a demon in the Sinhala Buddhist cosmology. Finally, the book demonstrates that the same apotheosis processes are at work today. This book will be of interest to researchers and students engaged in the study of religion, anthropology, folklore, and history, specifically in the South Asian context. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of illustrations Foreword Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Deva and demon worship in Sri Lanka Deva and demon worship Devas Indigenous devas Saman Uppalavaṇṇa Demons Sammuti-deva and the concept of apotheosis in Sri Lanka Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 2: Temples, shrines, and sacred spaces of Hūniyam Lunāva Śrı̄ Visuddārāmaya Temple Hūniyam mahā dēvālaya at Lunāva Śrı̄ Visuddārāmaya Temple Case study one Case study two Case study three Visuddārāmaya Lunāva shrine, Baseline Road, Colombo Nānumura mangalya Case study one Case study two Case study three Śrı̄ Gambāra Sidha Hūniyam Mahā Dēvālaya, Borella Case study one Case study two Hūniyam Dēvālaya at Nātha Dēvālaya, Kandy Case study one Hūniyam Dēvālaya, Käbälläva, Aembawa Case study one Aluthnuwara Hūniyam Dēvālaya Case study one Embekke Hūniyam Dēvālaya Case study one Case study two Case study three Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 3: Iconography of Hūniyam Hūniyam as a malevolent deity Hūniyam as a deity in transition Hūniyam as a benevolent deity Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 4: Historical context Anurādhapura period Invasions Devas and demons Pattinı̄ Kataragama Poḷonnaruwa and Dambadeniya periods Kalinga invasion and Kālı̄ Muslim king becomes a syncretic demon Tambralinga invasion and Nātha Fragmentation of power Conservative resistance Apotheosis of a Kōṭṭe prince Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 5: European colonialism versus the indigenous kingdoms Kōṭṭe and the Portuguese versus Sı̄tāwaka Hindu influence in the Sı̄tāwaka Kingdom Portuguese Kōṭṭe versus the Kandyan Kingdom Dutch colonial period and the Kandyan Kingdom: (1658–1798) Indian immigrants among the general population Nāyakkar rule and South Indian influence Apotheoses and Sammuti-devas of the Kandyan Kingdom British colonialism and the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 6: From British hegemony to the modern era British colonial rule Independence and the modern era Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 7: The potential apotheosis of Mahinda Rājapakṣa A new leading actor Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 8: Hūniyam as an invader A likely candidate A common legend of Hūniyam Tales of South Indian braggarts and interlopers Hūniyam as the interloper par excellence Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 9: Conclusion The fieldwork Proposed future research Note Bibliography Primary sources and translations Secondary sources Interviews and correspondence Index