HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN CEYLON
The Anuradhapura Period 3rd Century BC - 10th th Century AC
WALPOLA RAHULA, B.A., Ph.D
THU VIEN VAN HANH
PREFACE
The eminent position Sri Lanka occupies among the Buddhist countries in the world enhances the need of a comprehensive history of Buddhism in Ceylon. But the whole period from the beginning to the present day is too wide a field for one volume.
Even the early period of Buddhism in Ceylon has not yet been critically examined or sufficiently studied. Dr. E. W Adikaram's work on the “State of Buddhism in Ceylon as Revealed by the Pali Commentaries of the 5th Century A.D”. But his is the attitude, as revealed in his book, of a devotee lamenting over the “degeneration” and “corruption” of the Faith. The attitude and approach to the subject here are somewhat different.
Dr. Adikaram’s book covers the period up to the 5th century A.C. only, and he depends for his information on the Pali Commentaries. The present work covers a wide period and draws material from almost all available sources.
The Introduction review in brief the sources made use of in this work. Since most of them have often been examined in detail by earlier scholars. I have touched only on a few points relevant to the present purpose. But two longer articles on the Sahassavatthu and the Rasavahini were necessary because these two works have not been seriously studied and examined by early scholar – particularly the yet unpublished Sahassavatthu…
CONTENTS
PREFACE
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER
I. THE INDIAN BACKGROUND
II. PRE-BUDDHIST CEYLON I : SOCIAL CONDUTIONS
III. PRE- BUDDHIST CEYLON II : RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS
IV. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BUDDHISM
V. BUDDHISM AS STATE RELIGION
VI. EARS OF DEVELOPMENT …I
VII. YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT …II
VIII. THE MONASTERY I : ITS STRUCTURE
IX. THE MONASTERY II: ITS ADMINISTRATION
X. THE MONASTERY LIFE I : ITS DEVELOPMENTS
XI. HE MONASTIC LIFE II: ITS ACTIVITIES
XII. THE MONASTIC LIFE III : ITS ASCETIC IDEAL
XIII. ABRAHANTS IN CEYLON
XIV. THIS LAY LIFE I : SOCIAL
XV. THE LAY LIFE II: RELIGIOUS
XVI. CEREMONIES AND FESTIVAL
XVII. EDUCATION