By Kusal Perera –
Kusal Perara
“Lord Buddha travelled a vast country, preaching his philosophy in villages, to the poor, to the kings and the nobility. Everywhere Lord Buddha visited and preached, he had a great following and some turned into disciples of his philosophy, Buddhism. It is said Lord Buddha visited ancient Lanka three times, but in Lanka, there were no following and no disciples. It was only after Arahath Mahinda dropped Buddhism here, the Lankans picked it up.”
“The ancient Chinese, after hearing there is a great philosophy in North India, travelled extremely hazardous routes, climbed and crossed the Everest mountain range and came to North India. There they learnt Pali and Sanskrit languages to learn and understand Buddhism. They then translated Buddhist teachings into their Chinese language and carried them all back to China. In ancient Lanka, most of our kings from prince Vijeya, brought their queens and concubines in shiploads from India. But not Buddhism. That had to be sent here by king Dharmasoka through his son Arahath Mahinda.”
These two quotes are from Saman Athaudahetty, journalist, radio artiste, writer, lyricist and travelogue narrator, when he made a crisp “thank you” to all who came (and could not come) on his invitation to his book launch “Along River Sarawak”, held at the BMICH on 04 September, 2013.
The second quote, though on the first take is also as interesting as the first quote, is not that logical and as the first. According to Mahavamsa that all Sinhala patriots wish to believe, after prince Vijeya, there were only 04 others, before King Devanampiyatissa, during whose rule, Arahath Mahinda visited Lanka to convert King Devanampiyatissa into Buddhism (this conversion is accepted as holy).
Two things of note, here. One, since Vijeya’s trespassing of this land till King Devanampiyatissa’s conversion after which he had his coronation blessed by the Indian king, there was no such practice or sharing of female nobility with India, recorded in Mahavamsa, although prince Vijeya is said to have brought a princess from India. That obviously was to break off from the local nobility and Kuveni as the story goes, and to establish his own clan as the lords of the land. Thus it was no “King Vijeya” but a runaway prince who married an Indian princess yet again, to establish his ethnicity as rulers of land usurped.
Two, till Pandukhabhaya, the ruler immediately before Devanampiyatissa, there had been no kingdom established by any, including Vijeya, perhaps reason why he is still recognised as “prince” Vijeya. The other two after him, Panduvasudeva and Abhaya have been mere ruling lords of a patch of land in North-West of ancient Lanka and are not called “kings” in Mahavamsa. After them, there is an interregnum of about 17 years, before Pandukhabhaya established the first kingdom in ancient Lanka.
Therefore it is not very correct to say, ancient kings brought their queens and concubines from India, but not Buddhism. By the time the ancient kings after Devanampiyatissa, started the habit (call it tradition if you wish) of bringing their queens and concubines from India, people of this land had already been “converted” into Buddhism.
It seems most arguments, “for” and “against” on most issues, are not based on facts and are not logically argued too. But they certainly carry lot of punch and that is what is expected, I believe.
Feni / September 5, 2013
What a punch of a cocktail we are soaked-in, [Edited out]
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Pasel / September 5, 2013
You tell me which country follow Lord Buddha preaching his philosophy has peace and harmony ?
None because none of them didn’t follow the Lord Buddha’s preaching his philosophy
All have some hind of down fall in their countries
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Safa / September 5, 2013
There must have been kings, princes, queens and concubines galore. Minor kingdoms and fifedoms in every district? Whether the females were brought from India or Timbuctoo, what is the difference?
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Lankan / September 5, 2013
If you believe in Mahavamsa you also should believe that Sinhalese were the result of sex between a human and a lion!
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Patriot / September 7, 2013
Lankan,
Google ‘Romulus and Remus’ and read about the beginning of Rome and the Family tree of the Latin kings of Alba Longa.
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justice / September 5, 2013
How did Lord Buddha travel to sri lanka three times.
In those times there were no roads traversing the vast sub-continent.
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Sanjay Karuna / September 6, 2013
Why? Mervin says the Indians had a miraculous ‘Dandu Monara’, which flew through the Air like a Peacock!
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gamini / September 5, 2013
It is strange that if Buddha visited this country thrice, to Kelaniya, Mahiyanganaya and Nagadeepa, why Buddhism was not established in one of those visits, but had to wait almost three hundred years after his demise for King Dharmasoka to send his emissary and convert King Devanampiyatissa? The lecher Mahanama who wrote Mahawansa is no different to the present Mahinda who believe Sri Lanka is a Democracy.
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Mahela / September 6, 2013
Sri Lanka Democracy Rajapakse style……Similar to “Adambarakara Tattha” respectable Looter.
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I am no muslim / September 7, 2013
What the f*** you’re moaning Mahelaya?
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I am no muslim / September 7, 2013
What the heck this half baked [Edited out] Gaminiya who lives in a damp basement in Suffolk know about the history of Sri Lanka and Buddhism? Stupid bugger thinks when Iblis lured 999 year old Adam and his wife Eve who they say was formed with his rib into disobeying their creator God by tasting from the forbidden tree, Gaminiya’s great great great grand father Adam had come to Sri Lanka. The bugger should tell us about the rift between Obama and his pet poodle Cam.
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Palayang yako! / September 8, 2013
I am no muslim:
You need to change your name to “I am no human” because NO ONE can understand your balu kathawa, except maybe the dogs in whose kennel you live.
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Upul / September 5, 2013
It seems the more we look into our history, the more f’d up our history seems to be. There is NOTHING sinha about us, if we had to depend on foreign mercenaries to get rid of foreign colonials.
We all of have heard about the valiant defense of the Kandyan kingdom, have’nt we? Bull-shit! It just took the British enough years to figure out how to move men and material up the Kadugannawa Pass, and the Sinhayas were ready to betray their own.
Same goes for the recent suppliers of arms, food and secrets to the LTTE, all the while pretending to be doing their best for mother Lanka.
Notice something – Its the Singhalese doing this, not the Tamils, Muslims or Burghers. They are just to scapegoats to cover our sins!
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Don Quixote / September 6, 2013
Sorry to say you seem to be losing the plot Kusal ! Better control those insane rambling before you undo all that you have achieved in the past.
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Haramanis / September 6, 2013
Lord Buddha sailed up the Mahaveli River to Mahiyangana where he preached to the people of Mahiyangana. He is said to have arrived by air and landed at Mihintale on the rock. The Kalaniya visit is not to the present day Kalaniya but to Kalyani. The location is lost in time. What is known or suspected is that the island was much larger as depicted in the very early cartographic maps. What is also known quite well is that the island was always inhabited by human beings. The Mahaveli in those times was navigable by ship. Rock inscriptions that have survived to this day confirm the voyage up the river.
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Native Vedda / September 18, 2013
Haramanis
“He is said to have arrived by air and landed at Mihintale on the rock.”
Sorry, did you say he traveled by Mihin Air and landed at Matale? Interesting, anything is possible by Mahawamsies.
“What is known or suspected is that the island was much larger as depicted in the very early cartographic maps.”
Tamils believe that their ancestors inhabited Lemuria. Are you referring to Tamil Lemuria?
“What is also known quite well is that the island was always inhabited by human beings.”
Ah, the Sinhala/Buddhists believe this island was inhabited by demons before the arrival of Vijaya. What do you have to say to these people?
“Rock inscriptions that have survived to this day confirm the voyage up the river.”
Could you sight reference.
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JimSofty / September 6, 2013
[ Arahath Mahinda visited Lanka to convert King Devanampiyatissa into Buddhism (this conversion is accepted as holy).]
Kusal PErera Is talking things he does not know.
Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka because of the Invitation of the King Devanam Piyathissa.
Just write things you know.
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Saman / September 7, 2013
Alright mr knowitall, what historical evidance can one produce to prove Buddha visited Lk at all.Dont quote Mahavansa.
Mahavansa is the earliest ” Mahinda Chintanaya”. It’s not much use as a fact book but full of pious stories for the uncritical peasants. Come on ,now don’t call me an idiot.Please answer the question. thanks.
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Grim Chetty / September 18, 2013
So why did Piyatissa got startled when Mahinda called him to stay put “Roko”, questioning in return “who the heck are you Yellow Man”.
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Patriot / September 6, 2013
Do some reading Tripitaka Kusal, the Buddha had not traveled entire India, he had traveled only a small part of India.
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Palitha. Ranatunge / September 8, 2013
Please dont mix politics with this great philosophy of Lord Buddha.
Our Culture & History both had been a result of this religion.
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Sanjay Karuna / September 18, 2013
Yes Palitha, The great Dhamma of the Buddha is being converted into a Slave by shameless Politicians, in order to achieve their own nefarious aims.
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Wijith Gamage / September 8, 2013
This is true, very few people were in Sri Lanka accepted the real Buddhism which gives the clear path to reach the highest status of world, Nibbna by controlling actions via the three doors (Mind,Body,Word).
Mojority of people were not intelligent enough to understand this noble truth, that was the main reason why Buddhism was not established in ancient Sri Lanka even with Buddha’s three visits.
Later so called ‘Arahant Mahinda’ brought a ‘Hindu version of Buddhism’ which gave priority to Worships ( Trees, stones,Statues)
In Real Buddhism never gives a place for Worships (form of begging) instead It shows the practical path of reaching achievements(not only Nibbana).
thats why the practical aspect of Buddism(Dhamma) has gone down and ‘Worship Buddhism’ is flourishing now a days.
This is the main reason why Sri lanka has become a so called Buddist country with a highest number of crimes!!
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gamini / September 8, 2013
According to Buddhist Philosophy Life is a woe and is brought on by Human Craving. Therefore the Philosophy advises to shun craving to end Life’s misery, by attaining Nirvana. Now this state of Nirvana is like the belief of God, as no one can perceive and can firmly state that Nirvana is an end in itself or whether how one can confirm who has attained and who has not. One thing is for sure that if all Humans shun craving, certainly Man Kind will come to an end, because Life on this planet continues due solely to this Human craving, which is part of Human Nature. Therefore as long as this Human Diversity is there, Life of Humans will continue on the Planet where sections will believe in their respective Faiths, just to appease the Human Mind. This is the Naked Truth of all Religion, that includes the Philosophy Buddhism.
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Wijith Gamage / September 9, 2013
There is a big difference between a philosophy and a blind faith or belief.
Philosophy always explains the facts from beginning to end or top to bottom with coherence, clarity and certainty, with no gaps, whereas faith or belief is otherwise. ‘God created world’ is a belief, none can question or investigate it.
Philosophy has been productive most of the time; philosophical evaluations of great scientist (Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton) changed the whole world. Blind faith or belief unlikely to do such change.
Likewise Buddhist philosophy shows the way of ending misery of life with great comprehension, clarity and certainty. It is questionable, answerable and valid at any time. (Four noble truth, eight fold path including mindful training). Followers experience mental calm & tranquillity right of the begging.
One thing we must understand that Buddhist philosophy is not for all humans to shun craving but for those who wants to end the misery of life. End of misery (beginning of pleasure) is not always Nirvana.
Therefore there want be any issue of ‘come to the end of mankind’!
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Sanjay Karuna / September 18, 2013
Gamini:- ‘This Human Craving which is part of Human Nature’ is what will bring about the end of all Life on earth, not just Humans if it is allowed to continue. Our Greedy Human exploitation of the Planet’s resources, can be compared to a greedy Man gluttonously eating his Way to Obesity, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and finally Death!
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Fathima Fukushima / September 18, 2013
These are some examples of how violent Buddhism is. God wants them to be heinous.
Quran (2:191-193) – “And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief] is worse than killing… but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)”
Quran (2:244) – “Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.”
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.”
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