Glimpses of Sri Lankan Buddhism

Sri Lanka is the only country where the Original Teachings of the Buddha has been preserved in its pristine purity ever since its introduction there in the third century BC It is also the country where flourished to date the sacred Bodhi Tree, a direct descendent of the original Bodhi Tree at Bodha Gaya in India. The Pall Tipitaka was also committed to writing for the first time in Sri Lanka and the honour of having the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha also goes to Sri Lanka. The glimpses of such a glorious heritage of Buddhism in Sri Lanka are presented here in twenty-six chapters written by various authors. For better appreciation, the material has been divided into eight parts. Of these, the first five parts five a comprehensive survey of — The history of Buddhism and its influence on Sri Lankan Culture; Pali Canon, and Commentaries; The Sinbala Sangha, Buddhist Shrines, Art and Architecture; and Buddhist Ceremonies and Festivals in Sri Lanka.

The next two parts five an overview of the India-Sri Lanka Cultural Interaction in the Past, and Sri Lanka’s Contribution to Buddhist Revival in modem India. The last part highlights Sri Lanka’s contribution the World Buddhism by way of the Buddhist Flag, and the World Fellowship of Buddhists, an International Organisation of all the Buddhists.