Name of the Agency: Ceylon Roots

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Name of the Agency: Ceylon Roots Sri Lanka's Participation in Thai Trade Fair 2019 (Launching of Buddhist Micro Site) Name of the Agency: Ceylon Roots 1.0 Itinerary / Packages for Buddhists Trail (General itinerary for the web site) A Buddhist Pilgramage to Sri Lanka 13 Days / 12 Nights Buddhism in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is the oldest continually Buddhist country, Theravada Buddhism being the major religion in the island since its official introduction in the 2nd century BC by Venerable Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Ashoka of India during the reign of King Devanampiya- Tissa. Later, the nun Sanghamitta, the daughter of Asoka, was said to have brought the southern branch of the original Bodhi tree, where it was planted at Anuradhapura. From that day up to the present, the Buddhists in Sri Lanka have paid and are paying the utmost reverence to this branch of the Bodhi Tree under the shade of which the Master achieved Enlightenment. Monks from Sri Lanka have had an important role in spreading both Theravada and Mahayana throughout South-east Asia. It was in Sri Lanka, in the 1st century AD during the reign of King Vatta Gamini that the Buddhist monks assembled in Aloka-Vihara and wrote down the Tripitaka, the three basket of the Teachings, known as the Pali scriptures for the first time. It was Sri Lankan nuns who introduced the Sangha of nuns into China in 433AD Tour Itinerary DAY 01 ARRIVAL TRANSFER / NEGOMBO Meet on arrival at the Bandaranayke International Airport and transfer to Colombo - Check in hotel 3* – Remainder of the day at leisure – Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel. DAY 02 NEGOMBO Breakfast at hotel – This morning will include a Meditation session at the hotel, – Remainder of the day at leisure – Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. 2 NIGHTS IN NEGOMBO - Paradise Beach Hotel, Negombo (3*) DAY 03 NEGOMBO / ANURADHAPURA / MIHINTALE / DAMBULLA Breakfast at hotel – Leave for Anuradhapura and proceed on a sightseeing tour of the ancient city with a visit to the Sri Maha Bodhiya & Ruwanweliseya. Anuradhapura was a lost city in the jungle, where once ancient Singhalese dynasties ruled for over a thousand years. Massive stupas- en par with the pyramids of Giza- rise above the landscape. A walk amidst the forested ruins of buildings and pillars will reveal amazing stone carvings, ruined walls richly etched with elephant and animistic friezes, ornate ponds and pools allied to the palaces and monasteries. The tour will take you to the impressive Stupas of Jetawana and Ruvanweli and the oldest recorded tree in the world, the sacred Bo-Tree that arose from a sapling of the same fig under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Thereafter proceed to visit Mihintale - where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. On this rock are many shrines and dwellings originally used by monks. A grand stairway of 1,840 steps made of 15 feet wide granite slabs leads to the summit from where one could get a splendid view of the surrounding countryside We will then proceed to Dambulla – Check in at 04* Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. DAY 04 DAMBULLA / POLONNARUWA / DAMBULLA Early morning will include a Yoga/Meditation session by the lake – Breakfast at hotel – Proceed on a sightseeing tour of the historical city of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya, where you will see 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary’ and ‘Recumbent’ postures, carved out of rock. We will also see the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake, built by King Parakramabahu the Great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. We will then return to the hotel – An evening Yoga/Meditation session will be available at the hotel – Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. STAY 2 NIGHTS AT DAMBULLA – Paradise Resort and Spa, Dambulla (4*) Optional Activity Discussion with a traditional Martial art master and a demonstration of “Angampora” the forgotten art of Sri Lanka (USD 350.00 in total) Following the visit of Ritigala, you will be transferred to the Martial art head master’s home in Ritigala to discover the forgotten art of Sri Lanka, “Angampora”. The once glorious tradition of martial arts in Sri Lanka, with fierce fighters whose strength and actions were subtly controlled by the influence of Buddhism, fought next to the kings in battles as they thought it was their duty. It is of many layers that go beyond the fighting techniques that meet the eye that many consider to be a philosophy, having Buddhism as the cornerstone of the tradition. DAY 05 DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY Breakfast at hotel – Proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple. Here we will explore one of the oldest cave temples of Sri Lanka, which is located above an isolated and steep rocky outcrop. As you make the ascent an amazing panorama unfolds towards the horizon - lakes, jungles and mountains as well as the unmistakable silhouette of the Sigiriya rock fortress. Each cave reveals treasures of ancient Buddhist mural art. Numerous statues of Buddha’s and Buddhist saviours “Bodhisattvas” cohabit among Hindu deities, reflecting traditions as devotees offer ‘Puja’ or offerings of flowers. Once completed, we will leave for Kandy. En route we will visit the mysterious archeological enigma of Nalanda Gedige - a fascinating site due in large part to its interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The shrine’s ground plan leans towards the traditional Buddhist designs, but the ‘Mandapam’ or Waiting Hall shows a distinctly Hindu style as do the door jambs, and then the crocodile balustrade, moonstone and dwarf figures are once again influenced by Buddhism along with the Tantric Buddhist carvings which exhibit an erotic form of art, made famous by the carvings at Khajuraho in India. Even though the shrine has no known history, archaeologists would have been provided with a possible clue as to its original construction period by the façade sections, which are richly decorated in keeping with the 7th Century Pallava style which was popular in Mahabalipuram, South India. Thereafter we will proceed to Matale and visit the Aluviharaya Temple - Aluvihara; Luminous Cave Temple is synonymous with the teaching of the Buddha. Aluvihara rightly assumes its significance in the annals of the history of world Buddhism. It is in this very location that the Tipitaka was documented on palm-leaves. Assembled the priests, who here compared their texts, and then committed to writing, and form the Banapotha or Buddhist Bible. This took place about 92 B.C. “Therefore, to the enlightened Buddhist” says Major Forbes in his work Eleven years in Ceylon written in 1840 “This secluded and comparatively unpretending cavern, must be of infinitely greater interest than the Temple of the Tooth or Thuparama. Once completed, we will proceed to Kandy – Check in hotel– Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. DAY 06 KANDY Following an early Breakfast at hotel, we will leave for Kundasale to visit Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery. Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is a place for everyone, regardless of background or experience, to learn and practice the ancient teachings of the Buddha. At the monastery you will Experience: Help with offering meals to the monks Speaking with monks Join with the evening chanting Receiving a blessing thread Meditate The offering at the Buddhist Shrines Once completed, return to the hotel – Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. DAY 07 KANDY Early morning option to take part in a Yoga/Meditation session at the hotel (approximately 01 – 01 ½ Hours) – Breakfast at hotel – We will then proceed to explore the the countryside of Kandy, which boasts numerous temples and shrines that belong to Kandyan era of Sri Lanka. Among the most interesting temple are Gadaladeniya, Embekke Devale and Lankathilake Viharaya, located 10km west of Kandy. Once completed, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kandy city. Nestling in a valley surrounded by verdant hills Kandy was the last capital stronghold of the Singhalese Kings. Rich in history and traditions, the Temple of the Tooth attracts devotees and pilgrims worldwide. Kandy’s attractions are its traditional arts and crafts, the lush botanic garden at Peradeniya, the folk dances as well as its busy and colorful streets, shops and eateries. Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic - (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shelters a very holy relic for the Buddhists (a molar of the Buddha). Each year since 1774, in July or August depending on the lunar calendar the great festival of the Esala Perahera takes place, during which a procession from 60 to 100 elephants magnificently decorated, preceded by troops of dancers and masked musicians, parade the night through the streets of the city in the light of the torches. The temple, a fine example of Kandyan architecture, was originally started in the 16th century though most of the present building was built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries by the last kings of Kandy Once completed, we will return to the hotel – Dinner and overnight stay at hotel. STAY 3 NIGHTS - KANDY - Thilanka Hotel, Kandy(3*) DAY 08 KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA (TRAIN JOURNEY) Early morning option to take part in a Yoga/Meditation session at the hotel (approximately 01 – 01 ½ Hours) – Breakfast at hotel – Proceed to the Kandy Railway Station to board the train leaving for Nanu Oya. This dramatic ride will give you a chance to view some of the magnificent sites of Sri Lanka.
Recommended publications
  • Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism
    DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM SRI LANKAN DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM By MYRA SIVALOGANATHAN, B.A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts McMaster University © Copyright by Myra Sivaloganathan, June 2017 M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. McMaster University MASTER OF ARTS (2017) Hamilton, Ontario (Religious Studies) TITLE: Sri Lankan Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism AUTHOR: Myra Sivaloganathan, B.A. (McGill University) SUPERVISOR: Dr. Mark Rowe NUMBER OF PAGES: v, 91 ii M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. Abstract In this thesis, I argue that discourses of victimhood, victory, and xenophobia underpin both Sinhalese and Tamil nationalist and religious fundamentalist movements. Ethnic discourse has allowed citizens to affirm collective ideals in the face of disparate experiences, reclaim power and autonomy in contexts of fundamental instability, but has also deepened ethnic divides in the post-war era. In the first chapter, I argue that mutually exclusive narratives of victimhood lie at the root of ethnic solitudes, and provide barriers to mechanisms of transitional justice and memorialization. The second chapter includes an analysis of the politicization of mythic figures and events from the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahāvaṃsa in nationalist discourses of victory, supremacy, and legacy. Finally, in the third chapter, I explore the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) rhetoric and symbolism, and contend that a xenophobic discourse of terrorism has been imposed and transferred from Tamil to Muslim minorities. Ultimately, these discourses prevent Sri Lankans from embracing a multi-ethnic and multi- religious nationality, and hinder efforts at transitional justice.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Buddhism in the Changing Life of Rural Women in Sri Lanka Since Independence
    Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 1-1-2002 The role of Buddhism in the changing life of rural women in Sri Lanka since independence Lalani Weddikkara Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Weddikkara, L. (2002). The role of Buddhism in the changing life of rural women in Sri Lanka since independence. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/746 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/746 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form.
    [Show full text]
  • Washington Buddhist Vihara Winter2008
    Quarterly Newsletter of the Washington Buddhist Vihara Winter2008 -Dedication- This issue of The Washington Buddhist is dedicated to commemorate Arahant Sanghamitta, whose day we celebrated on Sunday March 23, 2008. When Emperor Asoka (3rd Century B.C.) was crown prince, he married a beautiful princess and had two children: Prince Mahinda and Princess Sanghamitta. Both of these royal children joined the Sangha. Emperor Asoka sent his own son, Ven. Mahinda, as a missionary to Sri Lanka, where his mission was very successful. Among his new converts was Princess Anula (Sotapanna) who requested ordination. Ven. Mahinda sent for his sister, Ven.Sanghamitta. King Asoka cordially sent Ven. Sanghamitta with ten other learned bhikkhunis to give ordination to the Sri Lankan princess and her retinue. Ven.Sanghamitta is considered the first bhikkhuni to carry the ordination lineage to Sri Lanka, where the lineage was well established. In 433 A.D. the Sri Lankan lineage went to establish the bhikkhuni lineage in China; this lineage has been kept alive up to present. History tells us that Ven. Sanghamitta carried a branch taken from the south side of the Bodhi tree, the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment, to Sri Lanka. This tree has the longest recorded history of any tree in the world. The Bodhi tree can still be seen in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka today, and is one of the most valued and respected Buddhist treasures. 2 N E W S The L E T T E R Vol. 40. Issue 1. Spring 2008 Table of Contents The Washington Buddhist Dedication 2 The Washington Buddhist is Table of Contents 3 published bi-annually at the Vihara Schedule 4 Washington Buddhist Vihara, 5017 Notes and News 5 16th St., NW, Washington, DC Silence in Buddhism 20011,Vihara U.S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism in Myanmar a Short History by Roger Bischoff © 1996 Contents  Preface  1
    Buddhism in Myanmar A Short History by Roger Bischoff © 1996 Contents Preface 1. Earliest Contacts with Buddhism 2. Buddhism in the Mon and Pyu Kingdoms 3. Theravada Buddhism Comes to Pagan 4. Pagan: Flowering and Decline 5. Shan Rule 6. The Myanmar Build an Empire 7. The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries Notes Bibliography Preface Myanmar, or Burma as the nation has been known throughout history, is one of the major countries following Theravada Buddhism. In recent years Myanmar has attained special eminence as the host for the Sixth Buddhist Council, held in Yangon (Rangoon) between 1954 and 1956, and as the source from which two of the major systems of Vipassana meditation have emanated out into the greater world: the tradition springing from the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw of Thathana Yeiktha and that springing from Sayagyi U Ba Khin of the International Meditation Centre. This booklet is intended to offer a short history of Buddhism in Myanmar from its origins through the country's loss of independence to Great Britain in the late nineteenth century. I have not dealt with more recent history as this has already been well documented. To write an account of the development of a religion in any country is a delicate and demanding undertaking and one will never be quite satisfied with the result. This booklet does not pretend to be an academic work shedding new light on the subject. It is designed, rather, to provide the interested non-academic reader with a brief overview of the subject. The booklet has been written for the Buddhist Publication Society to complete its series of Wheel titles on the history of the Sasana in the main Theravada Buddhist countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Mining for Gold
    !"#"#$%&'(%)'*+% !"#$%&'(")%*%+,"-,."/012+$-(%+,"%,(+"('3"/**3,(%-2"4-(5$3"-,."65$1+*3"+7"('3"#'%88'5,%" 9-,&'-"%,"('3"!,:%3,(";30(*"-,."<%=3*"+7"('3"4+>23"?,3*"-,."#$+5&'("(+"<%73"" ('$+5&'"<%=%,&"('3"65$3"-,."63$73:(3."@+2A"<%73"%,"('3"B+.3$,"C+$2." ,-%.--/%0/12//*'3/%42"3325#"% % % % 6#1('+571"'#% % C'3,"D3.%(-(%,&"+,"('%*"1-13$">37+$3">3&%,,%,&"%(E"F"*3("DA"%,(3,(%+,*"7+$"('3"7527%22D3,("+7" WKHSXUSRVHRIWKH%XGGKD·V6DVDQD³+5$"7$33.+D"7$+D"*5773$%,&"-,."('3"G327-$3"+7"-22" 2%=%,&">3%,&*H"";'3!"#$#%%&E"+$"%D-&3E"('-(":-D3"(+"D%,."G-*"+7"'&(&³('3"'3-$(G++.E"+$" 3**3,:3H""" " F"$3D3D>3$3."DA"+G,"%,*1%$-(%+,"(+"5,.3$(-83">'%88'5,%"2%73":-D3"G'3,"$3-.%,&"('%*" SKUDVHLQWKH3DOL7H[W6RFLHW\·V"($-,*2-(%+,"+7"('3")*#++*,"#!-#.*&"/&I"´$EKLNNKXQLLV 8998#1"/*:µ%;"";'3"#5..'D·VWHDFKLQJDQDORJLHVRIKHDUWZRRGJ"-,."$37%,%,&"&+2.K"-$3"2-D1*" ('-("%225*($-(3"('3"D3-,%,&"-,."&+-2"-*"G322"-*"('3"D3-,*"+7"('3"1$-:(%:3H""L+,*52(%,&"G%('"-," 32.3$"B-'-('3$-"D3,(+$"+7"D%,3"%,"('3"#'%88'5"9-,&'-"+,"G'-("G+52.">3"5*3752"(+"1$3*3,(" (+"('3"M%$*("N2+>-2"L+,&$3**"+,"#5..'%*("C+PHQKHUHSHDWHGWKUHHWLPHV´PLQLQJIRU &+2.µO";'5*E"('3"(%(23"-,."('3D3"+7"('%*"1-13$"-113-$3.H" " ,QODWHUUHIOHFWLRQ,UHDOL]HGWKDW´6DUDµ"P-8-";3**-$-"+$"Q3=-*-$-R"G-*"-2*+"('3",-D3"+7"('3" 9$%"<-,8-,">'%88'5,%"=3,3$->23"G'+*3"*3$=%:3"(+"('3"9-,&'-"%,"'3$"7%7('":3,(5$A"L/"($%1"(+" L'%,-"G%('"'3$"133$*E"$3:+$.3.">+('"%,"L'%,-"-,."9$%"<-,8-E"'-*">33,"*+D3'+G"3,3$&3(%:-22A" 83A"%,">$%,&%,&"('3"G'+23"%**53"+7"('3"=%->%2%(A"+7"('3"+$%&%,-2">'%88'5,%"2%,3-&3"(+"2%73H"";'%*" 1-13$"('5*"-2*+"*3$=3*"-*"-"($%>5(3"(+"!AA-"9-$-E"(+"9-,&'-D%((-E"-,."(+"-22"('3"&$3-(">3%,&*"
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Dalada Maligawa – 3D-Scanning and Documentation of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at Kandy, Sri Lanka
    ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume IV-2/W2, 2017 26th International CIPA Symposium 2017, 28 August–01 September 2017, Ottawa, Canada Sri Dalada Maligawa – 3D-Scanning and Documentation of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at Kandy, Sri Lanka M. Rahrig a *, A. Luib a a KDWT, Centre for Heritage Conservation Studies and Technologies, Bamberg University, Germany (max.rahrig, anna.luib)@uni-bamberg.de Commission II KEY WORDS: Digitizing World Heritage Sites, 3D-Documentation, Heritage at Risk, Digital Archive, Transfer of Knowledge ABSTRACT: Sri Dalada Maligawa – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – is one of the most important pilgrim sites in Buddhist culture. It is the main part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sacred City of Kandy. Since the end of the 17th century the temple has been keeping the sacred tooth of the Buddha. Until now an accurate documentation of the temple with all its rich decorations is missing. The Temple is built in an area vulnerable to environmental factors like earthquakes or monsoon rains and was the target of terrorist attacks. To help preserving this important cultural heritage a research project was carried out. Main part of the project was a 3D- documentation of the entire temple by using Terrestrial-Laser-Scanning (TLS) and the creating of CAD-Plans. In addition to the documentation of the architecture several details were taken in high resolution by Structured-Light-Scanning (SLS). All data will be part of the digital archive of the temple and were used as a base for a general site monitoring, especially to observe cracks.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka Welcome at Airport by Helanka
    Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka 05 Nights / 06 Days ` Welcome at Airport by Helanka Vacations Representative and transfer to Negombo. Negombo, situated by the shores of a lagoon which was once a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch. The economy of Negombo is mainly based on its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brassware. Arrive and check into the Hotel in Negombo. Afternoon brief tour of Negombo. Start your city tour of Negombo by visiting the Dutch port, the canal, a Hindu Kovil, St. Mary’s church, the Angurukaramulla temple and the Negombo open and fish market. Overnight stay in Negombo. Breakfast at the Hotel. Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka and was named a world heritage site by UNESCO. Anuradhapura is now a picturesque city, filled with mystery and rich in Sinhalese culture. Arrive and check in to a Hotel in Anuradhapura. Evening visit the Mihintale Temple. Mihintale, a mountain peak near Anuradhapura, the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The stairway fleets upward through 1840 steps made of granite, leading to picturesque sceneries that can be viewed from the summit. Before commencing your climb, find the Vejja Sala; ruins of a hospital dating back to the 3rd century AD. Further, Kantaka Cetiya is situated on a portion of the rock not much higher from the base, it is one of the 1st religious monuments to be built in Sri Lanka resting at a height of 425 feet.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka's
    GLOBAL NETWORKS, LOCAL ASPIRATIONS: GENDER, LINEAGE, AND LOCALIZATION IN SRI LANKA’S BHIKKHUNĪ ORDINATION DISPUTE by TYLER A. LEHRER B.A., California State University, Sacramento, 2013 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Religious Studies 2016 This thesis entitled: Global Networks, Local Aspirations: Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka’s Bhikkhunī Ordination Dispute written by Tyler A. Lehrer has been approved for the Department of Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Holly Gayley, Committee Chair Assistant Professor, Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Deborah Whitehead Associate Professor, Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Carla Jones Associate Professor, Anthropology Date _____________________ The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in religious studies. IRB protocol #: 15-0563 iii Lehrer, Tyler A. (M.A., Religious Studies) Global Networks, Local Aspirations: Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka’s Bhikkhunī Ordination Dispute Thesis directed by Assistant Professor Dr. Holly Gayley This thesis investigates many of the figures and events that have made full ordinations of Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunīs) both possible and contested
    [Show full text]
  • The Theri Arahant Sanghamitta with a Sapling of the Bodhi-Tree Under Whose Benign Shade the Buddha Attained Supreme Enlightenment
    TTThhheeerrriii SSSaaannn ggghhhaaammmiiittttttaaa AAAnnn ddd TTThhheee BBBooodd d hhhiii---tttrrreeeeee BBBhhhiiikkkkkkhhhuuunnniii SSSaaannnggghhhaaammmiii t t ttttaaa TTThhheeerrriii &&& BBBooodddhhhiii---tttrrreeeeee CCCooommmpppiiillleeeddd fffooorrr ttthhheee SSSeeerrreeennneee JJJooo yyysss aaannnddd EEEmmmoootttiiiooonnn ooofff ttthhheee PPPiiiooouuusss AAA GGGiiifffttt ooofff DDDhhhaaammmmmmaaa PPPrrreeefffaaaccceee The Buddha — the "Awakened One" — called the religion he founded Dhamma-vinaya — "the doctrine and discipline". To provide a social structure supportive of the practice of Dhamma- vinaya (or Dhamma for short [Sanskrit: Dharma]), and to preserve these teachings for posterity, the Buddha established the order of bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns)— the Sangha — which continues to this day to pass his teachings on to subsequent generations of laypeople and monastic, alike. Even today, after a long 1,000 years of lapse in Bhikkhuni sasana, lay people are totally confused to understand that the care taker of the Buddha sasana includes both Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni – as a united Sangha order. However, in Theravada sect. the Bhikkhuni Sangha had been defunct for over 1,000 years and many in this generation do not know that our Lord Buddha had left his Dhamma-vinaya heritage to his worthy heir – Sangha, meaning both Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni. Quite a few learned Monks in Myanmar did agitated to revive Bhikkhuni Sasana to fulfill the Buddha’s proclamation and tradition that the term Sangha truly meant – Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni and
    [Show full text]
  • Beyond the Tipitaka
    1 Beyond the Tipiṭaka A Field Guide to Post-canonical Pāḷi Literature © 2002 access-to-insight Note on the 2016 ABT edition I have somewhat updated this document, which in substance was prepared by John Bullit for Access to Insight in 2003. Diacritics have been added by Ashin Sopāka. Corrections and rearrangements have been made by myself, without notice. One major difference is the inclusion of Ven Buddhadatta’s works amongst the commentaries, which is how they have always been treated by the tradition, and not in the Abhidhamma Manuals and Miscellaneous sections. I have not expanded it greatly, but have made a couple of additions, when materials didn’t seem to be known to the original author.1 Anandajoti Bhikkhu November, 2016 1 For comprehensive coverage of these materials see Ven. Nyanatusita’s, A Reference Table of Pali Literature (Wheel BP607S). 2 Table of Contents Introduction The origins of the post-canonical texts Why these texts matter The authority of the texts A Field Guide Commentaries and Sub-commentaries Para-canonical Texts Chronicles and Historical Accounts The Life of the Buddha Abhidhamma Manuals Miscellaneous Sources Beyond the Tipiṭaka – 3 Preface A quick glance through the pages of the Pāli Text Society’s publications catalog should be enough to convince anyone that there is much more to classical Pāḷi literature than the Tipiṭaka alone. Intermingled with the familiar Nikāyas, Vinaya texts, and Abhidhamma are scores of titles with long, scarcely-pronounceable Pāḷi names. Although many western students of Buddhism may be unacquainted with these works (indeed, most have never been translated into English), these books have for centuries played a crucial role in the development of Buddhist thought and practice across Asia and, ultimately, the West.
    [Show full text]
  • Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka
    Policy Studies 40 Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka Neil DeVotta East-West Center Washington East-West Center The East-West Center is an internationally recognized education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen understanding and relations between the United States and the countries of the Asia Pacific. Through its programs of cooperative study, training, seminars, and research, the Center works to promote a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Asia Pacific community in which the United States is a leading and valued partner. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, private foundations, individuals, cor- porations, and a number of Asia Pacific governments. East-West Center Washington Established on September 1, 2001, the primary function of the East- West Center Washington is to further the East-West Center mission and the institutional objective of building a peaceful and prosperous Asia Pacific community through substantive programming activities focused on the themes of conflict reduction, political change in the direction of open, accountable, and participatory politics, and American under- standing of and engagement in Asia Pacific affairs. Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka Policy Studies 40 ___________ Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka ___________________________ Neil DeVotta Copyright © 2007 by the East-West Center Washington Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka By Neil DeVotta ISBN: 978-1-932728-65-1 (online version) ISSN: 1547-1330 (online version) Online at: www.eastwestcenterwashington.org/publications East-West Center Washington 1819 L Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni Sangha from 3Rd Century B.C.E. to the Present
    The Unbroken Lineage of the Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni Sangha from 3rd Century B.C.E. to the Present Dr. Hema Goonatilake Buddhism introduced into Sri Lanka At the Third Buddhist Council held in India in the 3rd third century B.C.E, nine missions were dispatch to several countries to spread Buddhism. One mission, headed by Thera Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka of India, reached Sri Lanka while Theras Sona and Uttara were sent to Suvannadipa (gold island), generally believed to be lower Burma in Southeast Asia. Thera Mahinda, son of Indian Emperor Asoka introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (250- 210 B.C.E). The Bhikkhunini Sangha was introduced by Theri Sanghamitta, just six months after the introduction of the Bhikkhu Sangha (Mahavamsa XII). Women were the First to gain Spiritual Attainments It is significant that on listening to the Dhamma preached by Thera Mahinda after his arrival in Sri Lanka, the very first to attain sotapatti, the first stage of the Path were Princess Anula, wife of the sub king Mahanaga and the five hundred ladies of the court who formed her retinue. “When they had heard that most excellent doctrine, princess Anula and her five hundred attendants, in whose mind faith has arisen, attained the reward of sotapatti; this was the first case of the attainment (of a stage of sanctification) which occurred in Lanka” (Dipavamsa, Oldenberg, Chap 12). Sanghamitta introduced Bhikkhuni Order A few days later, on attaining to the second stage sakadagami, Princess Anula and her companions expressed a desire to receive ordination.
    [Show full text]