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Sinhala and Tamil are
official languages in Sri Lanka. Sinhala, a language of Indo-Aryan
origin is the language of the majority. English is widely spoken and
understood. Place names and sign-boards on buses and trains are
usually in all three languages. Sri Lanka is a land of religious
freedom and tolerance. Wherever you travel you will come across a
Buddhist Temple or Dagaba, a Hindu Kovil, a Christian Church or a
Mosque, each with its own distinctive architecture. When visiting holy
places please conform to the requirements as regards dress in order
not to show disrespect.
SRI LANKA CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD HERITAGE :
BUDDHISM : BUDDHA’S PATH TO FREEDOM
Buddhism is the main
religion of Sri Lanka where it was officially introduced in the third
century B.C. during the reign of King Devanam Piyatissa by Venerable
Mahinda who was son of Emperor Asoka of India. No sooner than it was
introduced here the new teaching caught up with the inhabitants of the
country so rapidly that within a few months’ time the entire country
became Buddhist. In Sri Lanka it has found its most congenial
permanent home.
Buddhism is the practical system of psychological and philosophical
ethics taught to humanity by the Indian prince Siddhartha Gauthama in
the 6th century B.C. He was born on the full - moon day of May in the
year 623 B.C. as the son of Suddhodana, a provincial ruler of the
kingdom of Kapilavastu in Central India. His teaching has today
become a world religion providing inspiration and guidance to nearly
one fourth of the world’s population.
He lived the house - hold life for twenty-nine years, the last
thirteen years of which constituted his married life with princes
Yasodhara. As a royal prince born with the silver spoon in the month
he led a luxurious life. However, he had been a very contemplative
person from his young days and this nature of his did not make him
happy amidst his royal luxury. To him such enjoyment did not make any
appeal because he saw that it was fleeting and temporary and as such,
in the ultimate analysis, life is painful. All so-called pleasures
are delusive. Amidst comfort and prosperity he realized the
university of sorrow inherent in human existence.
Despite all the efforts of man to achieve happiness in this world,
human suffering stares in the face of all living beings. Search after
worldly pleasures available to him and donning the simple garb of an
ascetic, alone and penniless, he wandered forth from home to
homelessness in search of Truth and Peace, which to him appeared as an
attainable objective.
Initially, he went to all the distinguished teachers at the time all
of whom failed to meet his demands. He was determined to find it for
himself. This was followed by six years of painful austerities which
too proved futile. However, by directing the searchlight inward,
followed by a severe mental and an emotional struggle, he ultimately
achieved his cherished goal on the full moon day of May 588 B.C. under
the Bodhi Tree at Buddhagaya in India.
(Associate Editor Buddhist
Publication Society) |
Information provided by
Sri Lanka Tourism Board.
