TheIndrasala Cave, also calledIndrasila Guha orIndrasaila Cave, is a cave site mentioned inBuddhist texts. It is stated in Buddhist mythology to be the cave whereBuddha lived for a while, and gave the sermon called theSakkapañha Sutta to deityIndra. ThisSutta is found as chapter II.21 ofDīgha Nikāya.[1]
In theSakkapañha Sutta sermon, the Buddha addressesSakra (also known asIndra) accompanied byPancasikha (also known as Kubera).[2] After some harp-playing by Pancasikha, Indra asks 42 questions to the Buddha, which he answers. The teachings in this Indrasala CaveSutta is, in part, the basis for theTheravada tradition ofpunna (earning merit) and varam (favor).[1]
Buddhist texts mention the Indrasala Cave to be in the Vediya or Vediyaka mountain, to the north of Ambasanda, nearRajagrha.[3]
Since the 19th century, many scholars had attempted to identify this hill and the location of the Indrasala Cave where Buddha lived.[4]Alexander Cunningham believed it to be in modernGiryak.[5]
More recently, a cave on the solitary hill in Parbati village (also known as Parwati or Parwatipur) inNawada has been proposed,[6] which is situated north to the village of Apsarh (modern-day Ambasanda[7]).
According to Dr.Senarath Paranavithana in his book Inscription of Ceylon volume I Early brahmi inscriptions published in 1970 indicate that Indasala guha is located in Bambaragala Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Teldeniya, Kandy, Sri Lnaka.
The visit is a scene in series showing thelife of Buddha in art, though not one of the most common, especially after the first centuries ofBuddhist art. Numerous depictions of the scene are known, the earliest being those of theMahabodhi Temple atBodh Gaya, circa 150 BCE.[citation needed] In a Gandhara artwork dated to 89 CE, the scene "Visit to the Indrasala Cave" is depicted with Indra identifiable with his elephant seated to the right, the Buddha is shown living in a cave by the wavy rocky landscape with wild animals above.[2]
According to Dr.Senarath Paranavithana in his bookInscription of Ceylon volume I Early brahmi inscriptions published in 1970 indicate that Indasala guha is located at Bambaragala Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Teldeniya, kandy. About 19km away from Kandy. There in the mountain have many caves and among one of which is a cave with early brahmi letters on the cave aboveindasala guha sagasa. Dr.Senarath Paranavithana read it as The cave named indasala-guha is given to the Sangha.
In the same book on p. 103 GLOSSARY Dr.Senarath Paranavithana further express thatInda-sala, name of a cave in which the Buddha once dwelt.
