In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Sihagiri [Sihacala, Sihapabbata].—A rocky fortress in the Malaya district of Ceylon. Now Sigiri, about thirty eight miles south east of Anuradhapura (Cv.Trs.i.42, n.1). Perhaps the rock itself resembled the form of a recumbent lion, especially the forepart of his body.

When Kassapa I. had slain his father, he took refuge there, clearing the land about the rock, surrounding it with a wall, and building a staircase to it in the form of a lion. Kassapa and his retinue lived in the fortress till he was defeated by his brother Moggallana, and then killed himself (Cv.xxxix.2f). Mention is made of several viharas on Sihagiri, among them being Dalha and Dathakondanna, which Moggallana I. gave to the Dhammaruci and Sagalika schools. Cv.xxxix.41. Perhaps the fortress was originally a centre of the Dhammarucikas, and Kassapa may have borrowed from them the idea of making use of it.

King Sanghatissa, his son, and his minister, were executed on Sihagiri, at the command of Moggallana III., (Cv.xliv.32f) and later Moggallana himself was slain there by Silameghavanna (Cv.xliv.60).

The rock is now famous for its frescoes, which are very similar to those of Ajanta.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Dalha Vihara, Niyyanti Uyyana, Dathakondanna, Vikkamapura, Silameghavanna, Subhagiri, Sagalika, Sanghatissa, Moggallana.

Relevant text

No search results for Sihagiri, Sīhagiri; (plurals include: Sihagiris, Sīhagiris) in any book or story.