BUDDHISM IN CEYLON
ITS PAST AND ITS PRESENT
H.R.PERERA
PREFACE
The present treatise, Buddhism in Ceylon, its Past and Present, dealing with the history of Buddhism in this Island, from the time of its introduction in 250 B.C in the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa, up to present times (1966), is the outcome of an attempt to revise Dr. W.A de Silva`s monograph entitled ‘History of Buddhism in Ceylon `appearing in Buddhistic Studies` of Dr. B.C. Law (Calcutta, 1931). It should be mentioned, with due respect to the great scholar and national leader that several of the chapters of his monograph have been reproduced here while many have been revised and enlarged. A few new chapters too have been added where it was deemed necessary.
The author`s and the publishes` thanks are due to Messrs. Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta, the publishers of ‘Buddhistic Studies`, for their kind permission to make use of Dr.W.A.de Silva`s Article.
The relevant mater rom these numerous woks has been synthetised to give the reader a basic knowledge of the history of Buddhism in Ceylon from the earliest time up to the present. It is hoped that this book will serve this purpose, especially to these who wish to gain this knowledge by reading a single, short treatise.
H.R.PERERA
CONTENTS
1. State of Ceylon before the introduction of Buddhism
2. Early Traditions
3. Colonization by Prince Vijaya and his Followers
4. Political Development and Social Organisation after Vijaya
5. Religion in Ceylon before the Introduction of Buddhism
6. Emperor Asoka an Buddhism in India
7. The Mission to Ceylon
8. Arrival of Mahinda
9. Entry into the Capital
10. Sanghamitta Their and Women Disciples
11. Arrival of the Sacred Bo-Tree
12. The Firm Establishment of the Sasana
13. Progress of Buddhism in Lanka
14. The Passing away of Thera Mahinda and Their Sanghamitta
15. Invasion of Tamils and Restoration of Sasana by King Dutthagamani
16. Social and Cultural Development due to Buddhism
17. Vattagamin Abhaya
18. The first Schism
19. Writing of the Sacred Books
20. The Growth of Dissentient Schools
21. The Nature of the New Doctrines
22. The Sacred Tooth Relic
23. Buddhahosa Thera and the Compilation of the Pali Commentaries
24. The Pali Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa