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 Sri
Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is a small island at the southern
tip of India where approximately 70% of the people call themselves
Buddhists. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in the 3rd century
BCE by Mahinda, the son of King Aśoka, and has
prevailed there ever since. This means that Sri Lanka has been
Buddhist longer than any other country. Mahāyāna and
Vajrayāna were popular at various times but Theravāda
always predominated and since the 12th century has been the only form
of Buddhism there. During the colonial period (16th century to
1947), Buddhists and Buddhism were often persecuted and always
disadvantaged. In 1956 Buddhism became in effect the state religion.
Sri Lankan monks have a long tradition of travelling widely and
spreading Buddhism as they do so. The first Buddhist monks to go to
Europe in modern times were two Sri Lankans who arrived in England in
1819. | |
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