The Ṭämpiá¹avihÄras of Sri Lanka focuses on one distinctive Buddhist architectural practice from pre-modern Sri Lanka â the construction of Buddha image-houses on elevated wooden platforms supported by stone pillars. As a centre of Buddhism, Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of erecting Buddha image-houses, the origin of which dates to the fifth century. Yet, the á¹Ã¤mpiá¹avihÄra tradition only existed from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries. The á¹Ã¤mpiá¹avihÄra is an exceptional type of image-house, not only for its specific timeframe and unique construction technology, but also for its complex architectural conception of the Buddhist worldview and soteriology. This book examines the significant aspects of á¹Ã¤mpiá¹avihÄra architecture and documents some of the distinctive examples of á¹Ã¤mpiá¹avihÄra with an analysis of their architectural design and symbolic content.
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