After passing through the entrance to the Abhayagiri Stupa and walking a short distance further, you can see Abhayagiri Bodhigharaya No. 02 on the left side of the road. The main surviving feature at this site is the Buddha statue carved from dolomite stone.
Often incorrectly identified as “Samadhi Statue No. 02,” this statue is believed to have been created between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. Since both of its hands are missing, the statue is popularly known in the area as the “Short Hand Statue.”
The statue is depicted in the Vitarka Mudra and stands approximately 6 feet 9 inches tall. Originally, precious gemstones were believed to have been embedded in its eyes. The statue was placed in front of a Bodhigharaya, and a smaller, damaged standing statue can be seen to its behind. Around the statue, the remains of ancient building foundations and stone pillars can also be observed, providing valuable evidence of the structures that once existed at this site.
