Buddhism in SriLanka

Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century B.C. when Emperor Asoka of India who helped greatly to spread Lord Buddha’s teachings within the region, sent his son, Mahinda to the island and introduced Buddhism to the reigning Sinhalese king Devanampiya Tissa (250BC – 207 BC). The king eventually became a powerful patron of Buddhism and established temples and the monastery of Mahavihara, which became the historic center of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. King Devanampiya Tissa followed the Indian emperor’s strategy of merging the political state with Buddhism. As a result, Buddhism became an integral part of Sinhalese culture and civilization. Buddhism also had a great effect on the literary development of the island. It was in Sri Lanka that the oral teachings of the Buddha - the Tripitaka--were committed to writing for the first time. The language of these Buddhist scriptures, Pali, influenced the development of the Sinhala langugage. Since the third century B.C. to date, Buddhism continues to play an integral part in the lives of a majority of Sri Lankans in the country. In addition, the island’s Buddhist monks play a significant role in spreading Buddha’s teachings worldwide.