Environmental protection, sanitation & success of spirituality: lavatory & urinal system in ancient Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka

R.D. Aruna Shantha Temporary Lecturer, Department of Archaeology,

Faculty of arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Introduction Ablution is an essential need for man. It is considered as main sanitation

fundamental because it makes many health & environmental problems due to releasing human feces without any systematic process. Because of that it considers as an essential personal also public sanitary function which makes dislike for others. So, special place is made only for that. Though recently study above matter, there are very limited researches for understanding ancient circumstances. If some social group would plan lavatory & urinal system without making any sanitation problem, it would definitely emphasize their knowledge of social progression, environmental connectivity also technology.

There are evidences about this kind of lavatory & urinal system in ancient Sri Lanka. All of them found surrounding Buddhist monasteries can be mentioned as a specific matter. Early Buddhist literary descriptively mentions the way of making & using lavatory & urinal systems in monasteries. Practical applications of those theories can be identified from ancient monasteries. Examples for making lavatory & urinal system were found from urban monasteries in Sri Lankan context. Apart from the technological part of lavatory & urinal system, spiritual disciplinary application is a specific factor for monks. Defecating with consciousness & getting aims for meditation are being prepared surrounding lavatory & urinal systems in monasteries. So, lavatory & urinal system explanations in early Buddhist era, applications in Buddhist monasteries & its environmental perspective will be discussed through this research. Methodology

This study is based on primary resources. Data was collected from literary & archaeological sources. Information about establishment & usage of lavatory & urinal systems in monasteries was collected from literary sources like Tipiṭaka sources & local chronicles. These details are compared with architectural contexts in lavatory & urinal systems for correctness. Specific characteristics were identified through primary classification regarding lavatory & urinal stones in Sri Lanka. Various statements which were commented by previous researches about reasons for those specific characteristics & knowledge which were built about the living pattern of monks at relevant period were used for interpretation. It was tried to compare ancient & present technology also related knowledge for recognizing their specialties. It could be able to approach to an idea about ancient environmental protection, sanitary & successful spiritual life of these systems through above methods. Issues due to poor sanitation & present condition

Sanitation is safe disposal of human excreta & associate hygiene promotion. It is very important for healthy life. But most of people in the world have poor sanitary facilities. According to WHO & UNICEF, 2.5 billion people live without possible

sanitation & 1 billion defecate in the open.1 Poor sanitation without safe disposal of human feces & urine became a major cause for health problems.

Human feces cause for major hygienic hazards due to pathogenic organisms which are included in that. Though urine are not contain with pathogens it will transmit diseases. In some special causes like systematic infection with fever, pathogenic organisms will be present in urine. So, poor sanitation causes to transmit infections through various paths like fingers, flies, fields & fluids2. Most of diseases in the world are the results of poor sanitation.

According to World Health Organization 0.85 million people died due to health problems.3 88% of them are effects of poor sanitation. Water sanitation causes more than 100 diseases in the world such as diarrhea, worms, cholera, typhoid and bladder infection.4 It has been reported 3.5 million cholera cases & 100,000 - 120,000 deaths every year. The water diarrhea caused to 40,000 - 100,000 cases. There are 453,000 child deaths also low birth weights due to diarrhea.5 It is the second major cause for child deaths. Also, many diseases are spread from person to person by germs in feces & it cause to spread sickness & health problems like dehydration, anemia & malnutrition. 6 In addition to those things poor sanitation effects to poverty, HIV infection & sexual harassments also. Though there is highly developed technology & culture still world has to face with many health problems due to poor sanitation. Pre Buddhist era & suggestions in Buddhist era

Urban civilization firstly revealed from northwest India in south Asia. There are enough evidences about its complex institutional background. Well planned sanitary facilities can be seen surrounding architectural contexts. But there are not evidences about systematic lavatory & urinal system or that kind of technology specially, even the houses also adjunct area which assumed to be lived by people who negotiated various social states. Apart from that well planned bathrooms can be seen in luxury houses. But there is not any kind of lavatory & urinal system. Water which was issued from bathrooms diverts to drain.7 Water contained pots, wells can be seen near some houses & dirty water of them diverts to drain also. Even there are not any lavatories for citizens in urban context. Lavatory & urinal system are not demonstrated near the main bathtub which is assumed to be used for bathing. According to above factor it can be assumed that there was not any well planned technology or system in this civilization. It is a wonder that according to recent reports 47.9% of Indian population have not private lavatory.8 Most of them are defecating in the open. So, that could be long term habitual practice of ancient Indian society.

Khuddakavatthu in the Cullavaggapāḷi mentions the effort of the Buddha for introducing a lavatory & urinal system to the bhikkhū society. According to that there were not lavatory & urinal system in early Buddhist monasteries. It could be a demonstration of recent social circumstance. Defecating around monasteries caused to environmental issues like environmental pollution & bad smell.9 After complains of 1 www.who.int/en, 2014.12.18. 2 ibid. 3 www.Unilever.com/sd-Toilets, pdf, 2014.12.29. 4 ibid. 5 ibid. 6 ibid. 7 Researchers studied about architectural structures of Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa still have not reported about lavatory or urinal systems. Further studies see the Marshall, John. Mohenjo - daro and the Indus valley civilization, Asian educational services, New Delhi’, 1996. 8 www.who.int/en, 2014.12.18.; www.economis/com.santation-india/ lavatories. 2014/12/19. 9 Cullavaggapāḷi - part II, ed. Rev. Balangoda Ananda Myttri & Rev. U. Janānanda, Buddhist Cultural Centre, Dehiwala, 2005, khuddakavatthu, verse 144.

monks about that, the Buddha was said to have been proposed solutions. But lavatory & urinal system with above sanitary characteristics was done by step by step or results of experimented due to various challenges & problems.

Before making a lavatory, monks did that job in outer & later it has been proposed to select a certain area for that. Furthermore cutting a pit has been proposed to prevent urine everywhere. 10 After, planning pādukā (place for keeping feet), covering three parts with walls made from stone, bricks & sticks were substitutions due the displeasure of those works in outer. Firstly lavatory pit was introduced except for doing lavatory in outer. Later it was emphasized to make walls made of stone, bricks & sticks.11

According to khuddakavatthu there are various features which should be concentrated. Specially, it mainly concentrates related with disposal of human excreta into environment. Among them advices for making a toilet in higher or high basement is a factor which demonstrating the sense of environment. Above feature has been proposed to prevent the burying & mixing into water. Due to large pit caused to make uncomforting that ablution, later paving planks on lavatory & making a small hole for disposal of feces have been proposed. Then, pāduka added to it.12 Later, a cover (might be a lid) used to prevent air pollution due to the bad smell of feces.13

Furthermore, toilets with high walls built to prevent the ablution under hot, cool & various difficult environmental conditions. Also, it demonstrates the meaning of a house which is covered in three parts with a wooden door.14 Later, ways of making door, locks & windows also roof for preventing inside of being dirty from garbage have been emphasized. With the consideration of advices for making the built environment surrounding toilets show that toilet was considered as a place which should be maintained in a pleasure manner. Because, it was proposed to make roof with rough wood, plastering inside & inside white & black washing, decorate with māla karma (flower creepers) & lathā karma (creepers). Also, sands are bestrewed to prevent mudding around area of toilets.15

The proposed lavatory & urinal system for the bhikkhū society is different from recent characteristics due to the allocation of a specific place for washing feces.16 It should be made with treadle also walls in three sides, door & roof. There should be large water bowl & sarāwa (small bowl for washing feces) in feces washing place. Those days pusum danda, a stick for wiping feces has used before washing feces.17 However, as a whole lord Buddha introduced a lavatory & urinal system with sanitation & environmental friendly than previous eras.

The Tipallatta-miga Jātaka story in Pansiya-panas Jataka & Samaṅtapāsādika mentions about the lavatory of Lord Buddha.18 Though jātaka stories were made as one book in later, early traditions seem to have been included into it. Lavatory of Lord Buddha which is mentioned in Tipallatta-miga story in Pansiya-panas Jātaka is that kind of thing. According to it, above toilet has decorated with mal vel (flower creepers), liya vel (creepers) & well-polished floor has been burnished in fragrance earth. Fresh

10 ibid, verse 145. 11 ibid. 12 ibid, verse 145. 13 ibid. 14 ibid. 15 ibid, verse 146. 16 ibid. 17 ibid. 18 Pansiya panas jātaka pota Volume I, ed. Rev. V. Amaramoli, Sri Lanka Publication Society, Colombo, 1961, 16th jātaka story, p 51. ; Samantapāsādikā vinaya attakatā part II, ed. Rev. A. Kusaladhamma, Buddhist cultural center, Dehiwala, 2009, p 210.

flowers were hung. Door was closed every time & oil lamps were lighted. According to that, Lord Buddha implemented sanitary system for the saṅgha society with ensample. Once Rahula comes to meet Lord Buddha & spent one night in Lord Buddha’s lavatory 19 through this mention jātaka story writer tried to prove the clearance of the Buddha’s lavatory. Local usage

After the Buddhist era, various reasonable actions have been taken to regulate the defecating. Artaṣāstra of Kautilya mentions that one coin should be paid as fine for defecating in a sacred place, reservoir, monastic land or palace. But that fine was not valid for patients.20

According to early Buddhist literature, it was proposed to make a lavatory for ablution of monks, practicable usage is quite questionable. That kind of doubtable factor mention in mahavaṁsa, an ancient classic chronicle in Sri Lanka. In the descriptive time period of king Vattagamini, when king was deserting from the attack of Tamil invaders, queen Soma got off from the vehicle to make it easy. When it happened, they saw a novice was peeing covering penis with hand with protecting modesty.21 But this factor does not mention that there was not lavatory & urinal system in those days. But 5 century AD, when the time of writing mahavaṁsa was just ablate of 300 years from introducing Buddhist to Sri Lanka. So, that could be a developing era of Buddhist monasteries furthermore. Because, using lavatory includes in monk discipline, it is not justifiable to mention that there were not lavatory & urinal systems at that period.

Whatever mentions in literary sources, archaeological evidences of ancient lavatory & urinal systems found many of Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka. Though around walls destructed, pādukāṅga which made of stone & lavatory & urinal planks (plank with a hole lays on pit or pots) were discovered. In addition to stone, bricks used for make planks in medieval era. Also, lavatories made for common & personal usage. Personal lavatories found from Padhānaghara (meditation monasteries) & common lavatories found from pañcāyatana (the architectural creation which are assumed to have been used as boarding institute of student monks under teacher). There are lavatories & urinals in bathrooms also. Lavatories with high standard sanitation can be seen in urban context. Primary classification for lavatory & urinal systems

Ancient lavatory & urinal systems in Sri Lanka can be divided according to various features. 22 Usage demonstrates from lavatory stones, urinal stones, stone creation used for washing feces & planks with treadles used for both functions (fig. 15). There is a bowl towards into earth in urinal stones. Otherwise, there are urinal stones with a small hole in the middle lower of treadles or sometimes with a channel to eliminate urine. Furthermore, urinal stones can be classified into two main parts as urinal stones with decorations & without decorations. Especially urinal stones with decorations can be recognized from Padhānghara & some monasteries belonged to Mahāvihāra. Main structure & decoration differ from each other. Abode or palace is the mostly used decoration & decorations are used in surface of urinal plank with

19 Samantapāsādikā vinaya attakatā part II, ibid, p. 20 Kautilya Artasāstra (volume 1 & 2), ed. Rev. H. Pannakitthi, Godage & company, Colombo, 2003, vinayādikāriya; stanza 13. 21 Mahāwaṁsa. ed. Rev. p. Buddhadatta, M.D. Gunasena & company, Colombo, 1956, chapter xxx, verse 87 - 88. 22 See fig. 1 – 14 to specific characteristics, diversity & evolution of lavatory & urinal systems in Sri Lanka.

treadles. Sometimes the stone plank which is standard in observe of urinal stones are decorated.

Above characteristic found from lavatory stones as lavatory stone with a bowl & quite large hole towards into downward, lavatory stones with a square or rectangular shaped hole also lavatory collect into a channel between treadles & clean them by washing. But decorative lavatory stones are very few. Technical background of lavatory & urinal systems

Through various archaeological excavations were conducted by department of archaeology & central cultural fund, it can be able to recognize much evidence about technology of lavatory & urinal systems from main monasteries in Anuradhapura. Common feature of them is the disposal of urine into underground. Mostly there is space for that in the urinal system. There is no any chance to mix human feces & urine into water resources or ponds. Prevent the direct diverting of urine into underground is the specific technology of that. Apart from that, urine flowed into urns which were buried in underground. Sometimes there are 2 or 3 urns can be recognized.23 These urns which were found from Abhayagiri & Jētavana monastic area have been deposited in certain museums which those projects belong to. Among those, the urine urn set consists with 3 urns which were found from Abhayagiriya has been exhibited in Abhayagiriya Mahatissa Fā-xhien Museum.24

Actually, these urns were not used only for collecting urine. According to the various materials in those urns it could be able assume that urine were cleaned by filtering. These urns were said to have been with gravel layer in the top of the urn, small stone fragment layer in the middle of the urn & thin sand layer in the bottom of the urn (fig.16).25 So, urine has diverted into earth through filtering. This is a popular method for water filtering. Recently this method has been used to clean water through filtering without using chemicals.

Depositing materials separately in urns & they have been deposited in one large urn also. There is small hole at the lower corner of urns to flow urine into earth. It is question that is this method caused to destroy the toxin. Also, there are evidences about charcoal, cotton & limestone as layers in those urns.26 But it is doubtable that charcoal & limestone have used with the purpose of changing the chemical components of urine. Recently people in most of rural areas use charcoal to clean mud water. Actually, further researches should be conducted to recognize the technological background of these urine filters. This can be experimented as a model for that.

According to our studies, this kind of environmental friendly & health protected urinal diverting method has not been found yet from ancient world. Some lavatory & urinal systems are with pipes to flow urine & feces into earth or urns. This kind of toilet has been found of a Jētavana archaeological projected which was conducted during 2012 - 13. Actually, that kind of pipe demonstrates that human waste transported into the most suitable place. It is made from burned mud with several same shaped parts. These corn shaped pipes were connected with each other with their bottom corners. That kind of method is useful for removing parts in emergency situation or for repairing.

With the comparison of technology in urinal system, there are very few evidences about diverting technology of lavatory system. Lack of acute researches may be the reason for that. Holes in some lavatory systems are towards into large urns or 23 See, N. De Silva. & R.B.Dissanayake, A Catalogue of ancient pottery from Sri Lanka, PGIAR, Colombo, 2008, p.108. 24N. De Silva. & R.B.Dissanayake, ibid, p 108. 25 ibid. 26 ibid.

earth. If these lavatory pits will be delved, it can be able to recognize various methods which were used to clean wastes inside of the large urn. Whatever, brick lavatory drainage has been found from Anuradhapura citadel area. It is nearly 400 feet in length & there is a shallow pit at the corner.27 It is a doubt about the usage of this kind of long lavatory drainage. This would be a method of diverting feces in to the earth to reduce environmental pollution. Barriers use to mix feces with water also clean water before it flows to earth. Other things in feces like cellulose would decay with time. This method could be used to prevent fast filling of lavatory pits or tanks are similar with present method 28 . So, it can be assumed that this kind of method which followed in Anuradhapura citadel area might be experimented in monasteries. Lavatories with pipes can be recognized in monasteries also.

Apart from those lavatories, Paranavitne assumed that there was a tradition of removing feces into vessels. Hypothetical stone lavatory seat which was discovered from Polonnaruwa sacred square guided him to approach this assumption. It is consisting with four legs & a hole in seating part. He believed that there was a vessel for defecating in the middle of that hole. Furthermore, he emphasized that cleaner would remove feces in the vessel.29 But it is injustice to assume that there was a broad expanding tradition of removing feces. Sometimes these stone seats might be used for other purposes. Lavatory & urinal stones which were found from monasteries are with highly used technology & sanitation methods. So, Paranavitne’s opinion about tradition of feces removing cannot be accepted as an applied lavatory system in Buddhist monasteries.

According to this study, environment friendly & sanitary qualities reveal from lavatory & urinal systems in ancient Sri Lanka can be appreciated. Detail information about the lavatory & urinal systems were unable to present due to unpublished excavation reports. Whatever, ancient technique of mixing lavatory with water was same as the present situation. Actually, Lavatory & urinal systems with this type of technique were not found from any other site ancient Asian region. Still systematic research has not been done for lavatory & urinal systems in Sri Lanka caused to make data into avoiding & missing. But systematic research will defiantly reveal many technical profiles of lavatory & urinal systems in ancient Sri Lanka. Importance in the urban context

According to our study, evidences of ancient developed sanitation methods or well protected lavatory & urinal systems found from urban contexts. Especially, health protection with high concentration should be an essential planned thing due to the high population in that type of zone. According to literary & archaeological sources, high population of monks lived in ancient city of Anuradhapura. Fa-xhien who came to Sri Lanka in 5 century AD & lived in Abhayagiriya mentions the 5000 monks in Abhayagiriya, 3000 in Mahāvihāra & 2000 in Sägiriya (Mihintale) resident at that time.30 This mention has proved through measuring the capacity of main rice vessels in these monasteries. According to Silva who manipulated above researches, rice vessel in Abhayagiriya could bear the capacity for more than 5000.31 In addition to those 27See, S. Paranavitne, medicine and hygiene as practiced in ancient Ceylon, Ᾱyurveda samiksha, ed. L. Ramanayake & A. Ponnamperuma, Department of Ᾱyurveda, Colombo, 1985, pp. 207 – 212, p 211. 28 See, http:// www.who.int/water- sanitation - health / hygiene, pdf ; eco- nomic.com / index.htm; waterboard. Lk/ script/ htm/ Articles/ eng/ htm.; sswm.info/category/ implementation – tool/ wastewater-treatment/ hardware/ greywater/sork-pit. 29 S. Paranavitne, ibid, p 210 – 211. 30 V. P. Balagalla, Fa - Hien deṣatana vārtāva’, Visidinu publications, Boralesgamuwa, 2006, p 92-98. 31 R. Silva, Bhattanāvā or Bat - oruva, Ven. Kamburupitiye Wanarathana commemorative volume, ed. Rev. G. Dhammapala & R. Arangala, Author publication, Dehiwala, 1996, pp137 - 146, p 142.

monasteries there are evidences about residential monasteries in Anuradhapura city. According to Cunningham, nearly 50000 people lived in ancient city of Anuradhapura.32 So, because of high population, large contains of lavatories might be diverted into earth. Monks in urban monasteries fulfilled their water needs from underground also river water resources. There are wells in monasteries to fulfill their beverage need. Most popular water collective method was pond. Storing underground also rainy water was expected from those ponds. There are some ponds which might be constructed for common usage. Äth pokuna (pond locates inside) in Abhayagiriya is that kind of pond. Kuttaṁ pokuna (a pair of ponds) which is consisting of two large ponds was built for water facility of monks in kapārārāmamūla (these types of four institutions are in Abhayagiri monastery). So, monks fulfilled their water needs inside of monasteries & it might cause to make health problems due to diverting large contain of feces. Also that circumstance might cause to experiment techniques for cleaning. Lavatory & urinal sanitation habits

Lord Buddha emphasized not only the ways of building lavatory & urinal systems but also personal & common sanitation habits which should be followed in referring. That disciplinary has implemented in Sri Lanka also. These description mentions in vachchakutivatta in vatthakkhanddaka part in Cullavaggapāḷi. The Buddha advised lavatory & urinal disciplines due to relevant problems emerged from the bhikkhū society. Once a brāhmana monk defecated & told that who can touch these bad smelled feces, then he did not wash feces. As a result of it, insects were infection (might be worms).33 After that, the Buddha insulted him & washing feces was determined as a compulsory rule. Though every work in the bhikkhū society are happen according to seniority, when going to the toilet it should be entered according to their coming order.34 That rule emphasized due to an incident that a young monk has fainted due to unbearable feces ache.

Also, the Buddha emphasizes to refrain from beating tooth inside the toilet, entering to the toilet with holding up the robe, wiping rectum with rough sticks, putting pusan sticks into lavatory hole & get off from the toilet also excrete outside of certain place.35 If someone will besmear feces in the toilet it should defiantly be cleaned. Also if there are feces pieces in the floor, it should be removed from water. Inside also outside of the toilet should be swept & remove garbage.36 It is emphasized to clean feces washing stone like that. Actually, these habits are essential sanitation habits to prevent from diseases. A supportive factor for the meditation

Generally, lavatory & urinal systems are used for defecating purpose they also used as supportive factors to fulfill the spiritual needs of monks. Especially, when consider about the characteristics of lavatory & urinal systems, it seems to have been an essential thing to use them in discipline manner. Urinal holes & urinal pots are very small in some urinals. Urinal system in western monastery ‘H’ in Anuradhapura is 6 x 5cm in size can be mentioned as an example. Diameter of urinal hole is only 0.5 cm (fig. 18). 37 So, this type of urinal system should be used with discipline. Vacchakutivatta mentions that defecation should be done without besmearing the

32 R. Coningham, Anuradhapura, publishers of British Archaeological reports, Oxford, 1999, p 138. 33 cullavaggapāḷi, ibid, vachchakutivatta , verse 13. 34 ibid, verse 14. 35 ibid, vachchakutivatta, verse 15. 36 ibid. 37 Measured by author.

outside or showing. So, using those lavatory & urinal systems should be defiantly focused on mind conciseness or attending to yonsomanasikāra (work of the mind that goes back to the source). It might be expected to improve the essential discipline the lives of monks.

Also lavatory & urinal systems with various decorations are important. Though these decorations seem to have been used for the elaboration expectations as other monasteries, some researches indicated that those have been used for supportive factors for the purpose of meditation. Horcart mentioned that due to the consideration of monks’ feces as a holy thing was the reason to decorate lavatory & urinal stones.38 Devendra rejected that opinion with reasons & he mentioned that designs in lavatory & urinal stones are purely decorative.39 Bandaranayake & Silva pointed out that lavatory & urinal stones with artistic decorations are symbols of rejecting ascetic things in the world. 40 But Indorf mentions that these creations demonstrate the developing awareness at all time.41 Wijesuriya agreed with both opinions.42 However, most of lavatory & urinal stones found from Padhānaghara demonstrate symbols of neglecting secular creations by monks as a tradition.

Especially Padhānaghara which found from western part in ancient Anuradhapura including western monastery complex are well planned monasteries. Also, high standard materials were used to build them. It can be assumed that due to the residence of monks who were virtuous also practice the spiritual lives might cause to get more sponsorship from public to those monasteries. Decorations in relevant monasteries like decorative buildings, gates, foundations & stone pillars cannot be seen in these monasteries. So, those things were rejected from monks in Padhānaghara. With that type of background it is justifiable to assume that the idea of rejecting decorations was tried to emphasize through them.

Also, decorating lavatory & urinal stones with edifices & palaces seem to have been emphasized them to be given up. Though early time mentioned the desire for hermitages were not a suitable thing later monks desired for hermitages. These kinds of methods might be used to prevent them. Also, it is important to more concentrate about an illustration in a urinal stone found from semi Padhānaghara in mahāvihāra. There is a decorative short stone wall in front of that & beautiful edifice has been engraved in urinal plank. Though other urinal stones with these kinds of edifices were found, figure in short wall is specific. There is figure can be assumed as bahirava. That bahirava is considered as the servant of kuvera, supreme god of wealth who is living at alakamandāwa43 (see, fig. 17). This symbolizes the rejection of wealth & it’s connected facilities also resources. So, lavatory & urinal stones were used not only for discipline of monks & also supporter for memorizing meditation. Conclusion

According to above information, lavatory & urinal system in ancient Sri Lanka were established with environmental friendly & sanitation. It depended on early

38 Memoirs of the Archaeological survey of Ceylon, vol. I and II ed. A.M. Hocart, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, 1926, p 56. 39 D. T. Devendra, Ancient urinal stone sculptures, Sandakadapahana saha wenath lipi, M. D. Gunasena & company, Colombo, 1970, pp 159 - 167, p166 40 S. Bandaranyake, Sinhalese Monastic Architecture, University of Amsterdam. Leiden, 1974, p 133; R. de. Silva, Religious Architecture of Ancient & Mediaeval Sri Lanka (Thesis), Leiden, 1988, p 5. 41 P. Indorf, Mysterious and Elegant Urinal Stones, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Sri Lanka) vol. XXI, Royal Asiatic Society, Colombo, 1981, p 83. 42 Wijesuriya, G. Buddhist meditation monasteries of ancient Sri Lanka, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, 1998, p 113 - 114. 43 See, www.wikipedia encyclopedia/ kuveras /th .com.

Buddhist teachings & disciplinary rules. Actually, early Buddhist sources show that it developed with time. Discipline rules of making & usages of lavatory & urinal system illustrate the concentration of personal sanitation. Ancient lavatory & urinal systems in Sri Lanka are more environmental friendly & consisting of sanitary facilities than proposed lavatory & urinal systems in early Buddhist period. It might cause the appreciations & interests among the bhikkhū also public society & sometimes threats would cause to change the directions of it. Above those factors proved according to the nature of usage in urban contexts.

Also, it does not directly illustrate that lavatory & urinal systems were made for the aims of spiritual development & objectives. So, this was a specific circumstance only for the bhikkhū society. Actually, it is difficult to recognize these kinds of vertical trends for spiritual objectives even for any other society. This also can be considered as the highest development of technological knowledge of lavatory & urinal systems in ancient Asian society. The environmental friendly & sanitation methods were similar to recent diverting method. But many people were diseased from various environmental & health problems due to the incommunicability of that knowledge in worldwide. So, ancient monastic lavatory & urinal system is a successful solution for above problems which guides to environmental protection, sanitation & spiritual success can be mentioned as a wonder in ancient world.

Lavatory Stones

Fig. 1

This is a very simple lavatory stone found from Mihintalaya monastery complex. There is large hole in the middle. It is without pādukā & space in both sides might be used to keep foot. Mostly this might be a primary represented evidence of lavatory tradition in Sri Lanka. Monasteries found next to this illustrate early Buddhist monastic features & Mihintalaya consider as an earliest place of rooting Buddhism & Buddhist culture in this country. But we must remember that this kind of lavatory with simple structure might be made in later periods to fulfill only the fundamental need of the lavatory. This directly divert feces into the earth that cannot expected more sanitation like diverting feces into pot or drainage. When consider about simple structure, sanitation method also location this should be an earliest lavatory built in Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka.

Fig.2

This is a lavatory stone used to both activities found from a monastery in northern part of Abhayagiri monastic complex. This is also simple structure as fig.1. There is no much development or even without pādukā. Lavatory pan is a specific feature. It can be assumed that feces might remove using water. Sanitation method is same as fig.1. This also might be an earliest lavatory which revealed underneath of 10 feet. Though the monastery belongs to the middle phrase of Anuradhapura era, lavatory might be created more than that time of period.

Fig.3 This lavatory found from Vessagiriya. It is different from fig.1 & 2

because of its twin pādukā. Also its diverting hole is small in size. This shows more awareness about sanitation than before. There is circle to balance the water vessel in front of pādukā. It is clear that around edge built to prevent water overflowing. So, this illustrates more developed characteristics than before.

Fig. 4 This lavatory stone found from Panchāvāsa in northern part of Abhayagiri monastery. There are specific characteristics than fig.1, 2 & 3. Feces collect in to drainage (nearly 7cm in depth). This structure might use to divert feces into an urn or drainage inside the earth. Feces can remove through flushing with the change of the rectangular shape into square shape. There are two stone pādukā in both sides. So, this lavatory can be considered as a developed tradition due to the need of better sanitation than before.

Fig. 5 This lavatory found from Kapārārāmamula, a main institute in Abhyagiri monastery is as same as fig.4 but represents a developed phrase. Because of there are arrangements to divert feces into a drainage or an urn. Also, there is suitable space to collect feces not like collective place as drainage in fig.4. Circle shape has used to that with suitable pādukā. Pādukā are smoother than before ones. There is a space arrangement to balance a water vessel as fig.3. According to the methods of preventing the smearing feces into pādukā or upper part of the stone plank, smoothly stone surface to collect feces & water flushing method show more development of this lavatory than early ones.

Fig.6

A lavatory made in square shape illustrates developed sanitary technical features. There are well finished pādukā. But the feces canoe has specifically created with needed shape to collect feces by prevent them to smear outside. Feces divert into a small hole due to its slope. This hole might open to a clay pipe. There must be a water flushing method. Its technology is similar with the technology of commode toilets use in present. This lavatory recognize near Paṅchāvāsa belongs to Abhayagiri monastery.

Fig.7

This lavatory made for purpose of diverting lavatory as fig. 4 & 5. But there is stone edge to prevent feces, feces mixed water or water outside from lavatory plank. There is a large smooth part to collect feces also with smooth pādukā. Decorations are specific feature of this lavatory. There is creeper carving in the stone edge & space made to balance the water vessel decorated with creeper & petal designs. This decorative tradition might be popular during middle or last phrase of Anuradhapura era. Though it does not illustrate more technical development than fig.6, it shows primary stage of urinal decorative tradition.

Fig.8 This lavatory stone found from a monastery called as ‘I’ Belong to Anuradhapura western monastery has been recognized as a lavatory stone. Decorative tradition of lavatories in Padhānaghara seems to have been used to this. This lavatory is located in a room with only a short wall in front of it due to the few residential monks & Padhānaghara has covered by a wall. But there must be a cover for building made for defecating. So, this should be a well created urinal stone. Also, shape of the lavatory stone & squatting pan is different from other lavatories in Padhānaghara. Except for urinal canoe, there is a canoe to collect feces. There is drainage to flush water with the space to balance the water vessel. This feature can be identified in lavatory stones also. Decorative tradition is the specific thing compare with other urinal stones. There are two lion motifs stand on pillars in both sides if the feces gathered place. Four dragon motifs carved next to it. There is a lotus flower motif in the place of keeping the water vessel but without prāsāda. This must be the following of aesthetic rejection in Padhānaghara. There is good sanitation method compared with other urinals. According to the highest transition of decorative tradition, time period of this monastery show that this urinal should belong to 8 - 10 century AD.

Feces washing stone

Fig.9 This is feces washing stone found in Panchāvāsa in Abhayagriya

monastery complex. According to khuddakavatthu, there were separate spaces to wash feces near lavatory & urinal stones. That mention proves through this evidence. This is rectangular shaped with shallow but broad drainage (nearly 1.5cm) to divert water. There is a circle space to keep the water vessel. But this creation is very rare due the washing facility is available in urinal also.

Urinal stones

Fig.10

This urinal recognized from Padhānaghara monastic complex in Kaludiya pokuna, Mihintalaya. The lavatory is only with urinal commode without any pādukā. There is a small hole in the middle of it to divert urine into urns or the earth. This should be an earlier urinal stone. Because of this earlier structure can be seen in developed structures in later periods. But very earlier times there were only a pit to divert feces directly like fig.1. But the shape in the urine commode like a hoe surface substituted continuously to make urinal stones. This shape is suitable to prevent dispersing urine.

Fig.11

This urinal stone found from Vessagiriya & presently exhibits in archaeology museum in Anuradhapura. It is very specific than other urinals due to its specific shape. There is a prāsāda motif around the urine commode. Urine commode carved as the entrance of prāsāda. Upper part is like a lotus & lower part decorated with lotus beads. Later this prāsāda motif became more complex. It reveals that ancient people tried to continue way of diverting urine parallel with decorations & technology.

Fig. 12

This is urinal stone found from Toluvila monastic complex which exhibits in archaeology museum in Anuradhapura. Prāsāda motif is more beautiful than before one. Urine commode is quite developed. Because of there are small cannels as a decoration to divert urine in urine commode also.

Fig. 13

His urinal found from Vessagiriya which exhibits in archaeology museum in Anuradhapura is specific due to its prāsāda with several floors.

Fig. 14

This urinal stone found from Padhānaghara of Western monastic complex. There is a complex motif of prāsāda with two guards in both sides. Small & shallow urine commode converted as the entrance of it. Urine diverting hole is also small. So, this urinal should be used with well discipline. But it is with high sanitation techniques. This is good example for symbolizing the concept of rejecting aesthetic things by monks. Mostly this lavatory tradition might be popular during later periods of Anuradhapura era probably 8-10 century AD.

Fig. 15 - Frontal appearance & elevation of lavatory & urinal stone which was found from Pañcāvāsa in Jētavanāramaya. Fig. 16 - Elevations of urns which buried in earth to clean urine from urinal stones & clay pipes. On the right side of the picture, a system with triple urns found from Jētavana. Fig. 17 - In front & back of above short wall has been decorated with carvings. Both sides in toilet wall are with a figure of elf & palace is carved in back wall.

Fig. 18 - Urinal stone from Padhānaghara. (Urinal stone from Anuradhapura western monastic complex H.)