In this pioneering work in Buddhist symbology dealing with'the 'significance of Buddhist symbols' in the World of symbols K. Gunapala Senadeera, erudite scholar, linguist, historian and Archaeologist traces brilliantly the proto-type, primordial symbols of diverse significance in the authoritative, informative and provocative manner. To substantiate his arguments he had made goods use of his critical inclination to quote authorities of world fame. The author seems to have no difficulty in the explanation of multiple meanings clinging to Symbolic concept. In this work; with such experience and researches he has strained every nerve, to bring together, separate areas of knowledge. In most of his interpretations in which he has removed to a great extent the cap of invisibility, and exposes the associative and connotive Values and explains metaphorical meanings attached to them. His many-sided activities have stood in good stead for him to survey the symbolic Import corresponding to symbology, myth, cult-forms, bali-tovil and magico-religious ceremonies in what is called " Popular Buddhism" (in Jainism as well, to a certain extent), In his reflective Research he has cleared clouds of mysterious problems most controversial and disputed facts in the informative, derivative and presumptive manner.
In this work, he has gathered a Large number of symbols of human experience, having the indelible mark of primitive, mythical and historical origin. Author's Aesthetic awareness, poetical ability and sense-evidence and independent turn of mind demonstrated in other Fields as well had made possible to bring to light some important facts, and innovations in this sanguine survey of symbology. In the field of Archaeology of both Countries too, i.e. India and Sri Lanka, the symbolic details have never been surveyed before with this depth and emphasis. In these, he has made use of symbolic forms as sensory intermediaries, or as some sort of Means of establishing diverse contact. It is to be noted that these are not accessible partly or wholly to direct observation or intuition, and the author, equipped with appreciable sense-appre-hension and insight, has placed before the scholars and research students the Results of his profitable pursuits. Here in this searching inquiry a scholar and Archaeological historian treats cautiously, the haunting mysteries of symbology with zest, Efficiency and perspicuity supported by corroborative evidence where necessary. This is indeed an invaluable contribution to Buddhist Culture, Art, Archaeology, Symbology and Ethnology. |
