Sri Lanka is the oldest continually Buddhist
country in the world. The religion was introduced in Srilanka in 2nd
century BC by Mahinda-the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka-during the
reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. Later on Ashoka's daughter
Sanghamitta brought southern branch of the original Bodhi tree-under
which Buddha attained enlightenment. The branch was planted at
Anuradhapura and is today considered very sacred by Buddhists all
over the world.
In the 1st century AD during the reign of King Vatta Gamini the
Buddhist monks assembled in Aloka-Vihara and wrote down the
Tripitaka, the three baskets of the Teachings, known as the Pali
scriptures for the first time. Sri Lankan monks played a vital role
in spreading Buddhism to South-east Asia and other parts of the
world.
Following the advent of Portuguese in Sri Lanka in 16th century,
Buddhism began to decline. Portuguese conquered Srilanka and
savagely persecuted Buddhism, as did the Dutch who followed them.
When the British won control at the beginning of the 19th century
Buddhism was at its lowest ebb and Christianity was fast spreading
its roots. But against all expectations the monastic and lay
community brought about a major revival from about 1860 onwards, a
movement that went hand in hand with growing nationalism.
Buddhism has two major schools-Theravada and Hinyana. In Sri Lanka
Theravada school is followed. Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka itself
can be divided into three different sects.
Siyam Nikaya
In the 18th century, the official line of monastic ordination had
been broken since monks at that time no longer knew the Pali
tradition. The Kandyan king invited then the Theravada monks from
Thailand to ordain Sinhalese novices; it was set up later as a
reformed sect that enlivened study and proliferation of Theravada
Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Amarapura Nikaya
This sect was initiated by members of rising low-country castes
discontent with monopoly over the monastic community by the upper
castes in the 19th century. The sect was subsequently slit along the
caste lines.
Ramanna Nikaya
This sect was established in the late nineteenth century as a result
of disputes over some points of doctrine and the practice of
meditation.
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