Sri Lanka

The Sacred Island of Buddhism

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Few countries in the world are as closely tied to the Buddhist tradition as Sri Lanka. Known as the Teardrop of India for its shape and location, this island nation has been a vital center for Theravāda Buddhism for over two millennia. In Sri Lanka, Buddhism is not just a personal faith. It’s a foundation of national identity, culture, art, and education.

The Arrival of Buddhism

According to ancient chronicles like the Mahāvaṃsa, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by the monk Mahinda, son of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, who had embraced Buddhism after his own spiritual awakening. Mahinda’s arrival in Sri Lanka marked a turning point in the island’s history. King Devanampiyatissa, who ruled at the time, accepted the teachings and quickly helped establish the first Buddhist monastery at Mahāvihāra in Anurādhapura.

Since then, Buddhism has been at the heart of Sri Lankan civilization. Temples, stupas (dagobas), and monasteries soon dotted the landscape, and the Pali Canon was preserved and studied by generations of monks.

Theravāda Buddhism: A Lasting Legacy

Sri Lanka is one of the earliest and strongest strongholds of Theravāda Buddhism, the tradition that claims to follow most closely the original teachings of the Buddha. The island became a guardian of the Pali scriptures and the Vinaya (monastic code), especially during times when Buddhism was in decline in its Indian homeland.

Over centuries, Sri Lanka’s monasteries not only preserved Buddhist texts but also sent missionaries and teachers to other parts of Southeast Asia. Countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia all owe part of their Buddhist heritage to Sri Lankan monks who traveled abroad to rekindle or strengthen the Dharma.

Sacred Sites and Monastic Traditions

Sri Lanka’s landscape is filled with sacred Buddhist sites. Some of the most revered include:

• Sri Mahā Bodhi Tree in Anurādhapura: A sapling from the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, planted in the 3rd century BCE and still alive today.

• Ruwanwelisaya Stupa: One of the largest and most sacred stupas, built by King Dutugemunu.

• Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (Sri Dalada Maligawa): Said to house a relic of the Buddha’s tooth, it is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist world.