History of the Buddhism

History of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka – part one

According to the legends, Buddha three times visits to Sri Lanka. 1^st time was nine months after Buddha’s enlightenment. Arrived place called Mahiyanganaya. On those times, Society of Sri Lanka is not formed one and inhabits indigenous peoples called Yaksha, Naga, and Deva. In a first visit Buddha could move them to Buddhism after the showing his psychic power. This was the first incident about Buddhism in the Sri Lanka.

After the five years later, Buddha came again to Sri Lanka, place called Nagadipaya one of the islands located in north province. Objective was this travel was pacifying the war between two Kings of Nagas called Chulodara and Mahodara. Argument over a jeweled throne conduced to this war. After the arriving of Buddha, he explained disadvantages of quarrelling. Troop accepts teaching of Buddha and war was ended. Two kings gave up throne and consecrated it for Buddha as a gratitude for evolves to solve this problem.   According to the legends, the pagoda was built by God Suman saman and enshrined throne inside the core of the pagoda. 3^rd Naga king, Maniakkitha invited to Buddha for visit again to island.

According to this invitation, Buddha came to Sri Lanka again. Maniakkitha king rule his power in Kalaniya area. So Buddha arrived to Kalaniya, as his third and final travel to Sri Lanka in his lifetime. This travel is more important to Sri lanka. Because Buddha left his foot print at the top of the mountain called Samanala kanda (famous as Sri Pada).

After the arriving of Buddha, there are no significant incidents until Prince Vijaya came to Sri Lanka. Vijaya was a prince of south India and he came to Sri Lanka due to disagreement between his and his father. He married with an indigenous princess named Kuveni in order to claim to royalty.  He got two child named Jeevahaththa and Disala. According to the legends aborigines of Sri Lanka descend from them. But after the several years later, King Vijaya removed his domestic princess and he married with a princess of South India. Arriving of the VIjaya and others didn’t important to Buddhism but it important to the Colonization of the Sri Lankan society.

 When the 250 BCE Sri Lanka has not any religions. Some peoples believes  Even through Buddha came three times Sri Lanka, Buddhism didn’t spread among peoples in Sri Lanka until 250 BCE. In these times Buddhism in the India also has been destroyed by vinous corrupt monks. So king Ashoka decided to conduct a Buddhist council in order to protect flawless Buddhism. As a result of this nine groups dispatched around the world in order to promote the Buddhism. Eventually, one group who was lead Mihindu Thero came to Sri Lanka with Theravada Buddhism.  They came to Mihinthalaya Mountain on the Posan full moon poya day (July).  According to the legends in that time king Tissa (king of the Sri Lanka) came to Mihinthalaya Mountain for hunting. Mihindu Thero and king meet together at the foot of the mountain. After that Mihindu thero discoursed the teaching of Buddhism. After king Tissa became a Buddhist. He gives huge contribute to spread the Buddhism around the whole country. Peoples also had find salvation the Buddhism. Some peoples became renounced and became monks, even some ministers of the king became as monks.  In that times ordain only males. Because ordain for women didn’t start yet. If ordain women, inevitable the service of Woman monks (Bhikkuni). Lot of women required to join to Buddha Sasana( to become a female monk). Queen Anula who was the Queen of Kind Tissa) leaded to this request.  In Order to establish the Bikkuni Sasanaya (female monks) Sangamiththa Theraniya came to the Sri Lanka with the branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and it planted in Anuradapura. These scared boo tree also can be seen in today in Anuradapura. 

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Sri Pada - Scared Mountain

Sri Pada is a mountain located in southern part of the hill county of Sri Lanka, 122 kilometers away from Colombo and height of 2243 meters above sea level.  Mountain comprises to two district, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya. There are no other mountains nearby. Area of this mountain nominated as wildlife reserves.  Environment of the mountain is cool and rainy.  Four main rivers starts in this mountain. Those are Mahaveli river (longest river), Kalu ganga river, Walave river, Kalani river. This place famous among Buddhist around the word and other religious groups also visit and worship this place.

   

This place has long history. Buddhists believe that, on the third visit of Buddha to Sri Lanka, Buddha left his footprint on the rock at the top of the mountain. So this place became a place of worship among Buddhists.  But after the hundred years ago other religious groups believes according to their own belief, so they thought that footprint left by their prophet.  Hindu peoples believe that footprint as the footprint of Sriva god, and Muslim peoples believe that it as footprint of Adams.   

Every Buddhists of Sri Lanka tries to worship the sacred Footprint of the Buddha at least one time in his/her life time. The climbing season (worshiping season) is December to May. Other months are not suitable, because many number wild animals walk in free in those times. So Climbing in out of season may be dangerous.   Climbing is really tired, but peoples do it in devout mind. Several customs can be seen among devotees. First one is They song special kind of poems called “ thunsarane” wrote about characterizes of Buddha. Those poems are comes with traditionally. If someone worships in the first times, he/she have to fulfill several requirements.  

There are three roads to climb the mountain. First one is across the Ratnapura. This road is a long root compared with other road. If, someone climb in this road he/she has to walk more than 12 miles.  It is possible to travel via vehicle up to Siripagama village and onwards travelling only by walk. Second root for climbing Sri Pada is kuruvita road. This road also long as ratnapura road. Climbing is start from Erathna Vilage. This road meets ratnapura road in a place called Haramitipana. Third root is via Haton town and it is the most famous and easier road to climb and worship the Shi Pada. Most of the area on the road is covered by steps.

Most peoples like to climb mountain in night even colder environment in order to watch the sun rise on the tomorrow morning. This occasion is very attractive and lot of peoples waits to watch it.  Peoples believe that god called “Sumana Saman” is tutelary to this mountain. So peoples who climb and worship this place anticipate the protection of this god.   

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Nuwara Eliya district

According to the Historical sources, Nuwara Eliya found by Jorn deve an Englishmen in 1819 CE. Nuwara Eliya nominated as a leisurely place in 1824 and several churches horse grounds and other important places built after 1840 year. Nuwara Eliya situated in upcountry in Sri Lanka in higher than 1000 meters. Quantity of land area is Nuwara Eliya area is 1741 square kms. Nuwara Eliya has cool climate, most probably less than 15 ‘C around the year. Highest mountain Piduruthalagala, located in Nuwara Eliya district. As well as other several highest mountains situated inside this area, such as Kirigalpoththa, Adom’s peak, Hakgala etc. 

Lokanthaya – World’s End

 

Lokanthya means the place which ends the world. Most attraction place among tourists who visit Nuwara Eliya.  Lokanthaya situated in the Hortarn places which is one the natural park  in Sri Lanka. For reach  this places visitors have to get down Ohiya railway station and  walk 2 km from Horton places.  Lokanthaya has a huge deep more than 900 meters. When misty occasions, it is obviously dangerous to visit this place.

 Haggala flower garden

Situated in 5 km away from Nuwara eliya in Badulla -  Nuwara eliya road. This is a one of the botanical garden in Sri Lanka. Garden was established in 1897 year as a tea state, after several years state converted as a flower garden. Haggala garden is famous for rose flowers, various rose species can be seen in this garden.

Water falls in Nuwara Eliya district.

Lot of waterfalls located in Nuwara Eliya district, Some of them,

• Bambarakanda waterfall
• Kurundu Ella Waterfall
• Lovers sleep waterfall
• Ramboda waterfall
• Lakshapana Waterfall
•  Handapan Ella Waterfall
• Cent. Cleir Waterfall
• Devon Waterfall
• Abardeen Waterfall
• Nanuoya waterfall
• Bekans Waterfall

Bambarakanda Waterfall

 

Bambarakanda is famous as the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and located in Dulthotagala village, near the Kalupahana town Colombo – Badulla Road. Waterfall located in 4900 feet higher from sea level. See more about Bambarakanda ..click this link

Kurundu Ella

 

Kurudu ella located in 30 km away from Nuwar Eliya. Height of this waterfall is 200 meters and waterfall stars from Mahathudugala Mountain and it falls across Haputale area in beautiful surrounding, but travelling is little difficult and it is difficult to reach to waterfalls  by vehicle.  Tourists have to walk by foot for 2 kms.

 Bekers Ella

 

Bekans waterfall is a small waterfall located in the high bio diversity area in Horton place. Waterfall isn’t height so much and it was found by English men named Samuel bekers. As a gratitude ho him waterfall named as bekers.  

Hotels and accommodations facilities in Nuwara Eliya area

Hotel / gest house name	Telephone No
Holiday resorts controlled by tourist board	0522222943
Rose garden	0525673808
The Heritage	0522223052
Hill Club	0522222653
Hotel Glendervar	0522222501
Hotel Sanhil	0522222878
Niwahana	0522235733
the rock	0522223196
Grand Hotel	0522222881
Sinera Hotel	0522222106
Ramboda Falles in	0522259582
Hotel Erdern hill	0522235524
Grovenar hotel	0522222307
Hotel Colinwood	0522223550
Seetha gest house	0522223821
Green Garden	0522234969
Serendeeb mountain	0522222070
park Bangalore	0522222823
Galway forest lodge	0522223553
Kothmale Holiday resort	0812350058
Unic view Holiday in	0522235603
railway tourist Bangalore	0522222547

 

 

 

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Vilpaththu National Park

Largerst national park in sri lanka located in Anuradapura district and published as reserve in 25^th February, 1958. Quantity of the whole area is 130000 hectares. Vilpaththuwa means lot of lakes, it means the forest have lot of lakes. More than 25 natural lakes are located in the forest. Some lakes always have water even period of drought. Forest contains various eco systems, some area in the forest is have Hugh trees and other site of the forests contains with shrubbery. Lot of elephants, elks, tigers, bares and dears. Currently anyone can visit and explore this place without any risk, because these areas now controlled by government.

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Yala Forest Reserve

Yala is the oldest national nature reserve in Sri Lanka and in quantity in land it in second place. Yala nominated as a nature reserve in 23^rd, march 1900 and nominated as a park in 1938 year. Currently yala divided in to five zones and all zones are consists with huge biodiversity. Many no of Wild Elephants are in living Yala. Therefore lot of tourists come and visits Yala for study the behavior of Elephants.  In addition to elephents, visitors can watch buffalos, foxes, monkeys, peacocks , bears and various kind of birds. Several endemic birds are living in Yala, such as

•    Lanka Giramalitta    - Loriculus beryllinus
•    Thithpiya Thirasikaya - Zoothera spiloptera
•    Hisakalu Kondaya - Pycnontus melanicterus
•   The Brown-Capped Babbler - Pellorneum fuscopillum

In Addition to endemic birds hundreds of tourist birds come to Yala from various countries of the world in April to October months.  Eight kind of endemic reptiles are living this forest

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