sabarimala was a buddhist shrine , and “ayyapa” actually “buddha”

sabarimala was a buddhist shrine , and “ayyapa” actually “buddha”

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Until 10th century AD, almost 85% of the people in Kerala were Buddhists or Jains.
Following the attack that took place between 10th and 12th century AD,Hinduism established itself.
It was Paramara Parasurama (970 AD) who conquered Kerala and initiated the process
of conversion to Hinduism. This is the same Parasurama, who is mentioned in  Hindu scriptures, as the one who threw his axe and reclaimed the land, which he later
gave as gifts to Brahmins.
The reference to ‘reclamation’ is to indicate the process of reclaiming Hindu Dharma from the influence of Buddhism and Jainism, or the country from their hold. The battle axe was the most common weapon used in those days by the soldiers. Parasurama took
over the Buddhist places of worship and converted them into Hindu Temples. He
then gave charge of these temples to Brahmins to run them according to Hindu
rites of worship.
This was followed by the attack of Cholas (999 to 1102 AD). During this period, the
Buddha vihars were converted into Siva temples.
The Jaina vihars were changed into temples of Vishnu. The nunneries (where the Bikshunis lived) became Devi temples. What we see today as temples of Dharma Sastha were originally Buddha or
Jaina vihars. (Vihars were Buddhist or
Jaina monastic retreats.)
During the later period, under the leadership of king of Pandalam, a Buddhist
pilgrimage centre, which is now known as Sabarimala, was conquered. In this
conquest the king of Pandalam, must have taken the help of the Muslims residing in
the precincts of Erumeli. As a result, Vavar (Babar), a muslim commander, finds a
place in this story or legend. All these events took place around 1600 AD.
The place conqured by the King of Pandalam, belonged to the Maravars of
Tamilnadu. After the conquest, the king became a believer in Hinduism. As a
result, this shrine became a centre of Hindu worship. Both the Saivaites and Vaishnavaites tried to take control of this temple. Based on a compromise between
these two groups, the story or legend of Hariharaputra (son of Vishnu and Siva)
gained popularity. May be in order to ward any further onslaughts, a temples with 18
narrow steps was built, which made access to this shrine difficult.
Till recently, Brahmins did not visit this temple carrying the traditional bundle of
coconuts and rice (Irumudi-kettu). They called the temple as a Pulaya (lower caste
Hindu) temple. Even today, the clothes worn by the devotees represent those worn
by the lower castes/tribals.
The Mudra (symbolic gesture) attributed to Ayyappa is unique, where the index finger
of the hand is kept joined with the thumb, leaving the other three fingers free. This
symbolizes the steadfast aim of the devotee to achieve nirvana, by taking
refuge in the three jewels (Triratnas), Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the
fundamental commitments of a Buddhist. (Buddha- the awakened one. Dharma- the
truth and tenets expounded by him. Sangha- the community following these
principles.) Lord Buddha is popularly depicted as sitting in Padmasana (lotus pose) with the fingers of both hands held in Chinmudra.
There is no class discrimination in Sabarimala. Everybody is an Ayyappa (a representative of the deity) or a Malikapuram (mother godess). Even this
concept has its roots in Buddhism and its principle of equality. Though people
practiced different professions or crafts, there was no caste distinction in
Buddhism.
The chanting of Saranam (refuge in God)
is part of Buddhism. Buddham Saranam
Gachhami (I take refuge in the enlightened
One), Sangham Saranam Gachhami (I take
refuge in the community of Bikshus/
Bikshunis,), Dharmam Saranam Gachhami(I
take refuge in the practice of Truth and
righteousness). Today, these have been
changed to ‘Swami Saranam’ and
‘Dharmasastha Saranam’. That is the only
difference.
The affidavit was filed in response to a
notice issued by the court on a petition by
the Indian Young Lawyers Association and
five other women advocates challenging the
ban in vogue for several years.
It said: “Some scholars of ancient Kerala
history say that the Sabarimala Sastha
Prathista was once a Buddhist shrine. The
rituals chanted by worshippers are
synonymous with the ‘Saranathrayam’ of
Buddhist disciples (Budham Saranam
Gachami; Dharmam Saranam Gachami;
Sangham Saranam Gachami).”

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