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AnuradhapuraBuddhist Columns & Dharma Talks

(34) Background of Sri Lanka's Civil War and Rapid Revival of Buddhist Sacred Sites: What is the Relationship between Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism and Sacred Sites?

In this article, I will discuss the general trend toward civil war, Sinhala Buddhist nationalism and the restoration of the Holy Land. I am sure that the last few articles have been full of surprises for you. I myself have been astonished by what I have learned about Sri Lanka. I am sure that you have found Sri Lanka to be a very interesting country.
DharmapalaBuddhist Columns & Dharma Talks

(33) Dharmapala and Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism: What is the major current of modern Buddhism in Sri Lanka?

In this article I will talk about a very important figure in Sri Lanka, Dharmapala. This Dharmapala is the one who advocated "Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism" that led to the Sri Lankan Civil War.

In Sri Lanka, Buddhism is integrated with nationalism and becomes the spark for ethnic conflict. We will also look at that Sinhala Buddhist nationalism.
colomboBuddhist Columns & Dharma Talks

(32) A Brief History of Sri Lanka's Colonial Period - The Historical Background of the Emergence of the Dharmapala

Dharmapala had a decisive impact on the Sri Lankan Civil War.

He did not suddenly appear out of thin air either. He came into existence because of the historical background of Sri Lanka at that time.

In this article, I will briefly discuss the colonial period in Sri Lanka, which is also important for the history of Dharmapala and Sri Lankan Buddhism.
Takahiro UedaDiary of a Monk

Welcome to our website. For those of you who are visiting our blog for the first time. First of all, please click here.

Nice to meet you. My name is Takahiro Ueda, the administrator of this blog. This blog started as my attempt to look at various things in my daily life and write words with the motto of asking myself questions, as you can see in the title of the blog.

This article will give you a general guide within our blog. If you are new to our blog or wondering what to read, please read this article first.
Adventures in Sri Lankan StudiesBuddhism in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia

Mamoru Shono, "Adventures in Sri Lankan Studies" - An introduction to Sri Lanka from an unexpected perspective! A book full of serendipity!

本書はこの記事のタイトルにありますように意外な切り口から語られるスリランカを知ることができます。目次にある「カシューナッツの流通学」「漱石のカレー学」「カラスの生態学」など、パッと見ただけでは「これのどこがスリランカ？」と思ってしまうかもしれませんがこれが見事にスリランカ世界を知る手掛かりとなるのですからお見事としか言いようがありません。ものすごく面白いです。
セイロン島誌Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia

Robert Knox's "The Ceylon Island Magazine" Synopsis and Comments - The amazing true story of the late 1600s, which was also the model for Robinson Crusoe!

本作の著者ロバート・ノックス（1641-1720）はイギリス東インド会社の貿易船の船員でした。彼の乗る船はインド洋航海中に嵐に遭い、セイロン島（スリランカ）に１６６０年に寄港しました。そこから彼らはおよそ２０年にわたってスリランカ中央部のキャンディ王国の捕虜として生活することになります。

キャンディ周辺は単に高地であるだけでなく、深いジャングルに覆われており移動は極めて困難でした。いわば陸の孤島です。そんな脱出困難な状態から命からがら２０年をかけて脱出したノックスの体験が綴られたのが本書『セイロン島誌』になります。
甘さと権力Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia

シドニー・W・ミンツ『甘さと権力 砂糖が語る近代史』～砂糖はいかにして世界を変えたのかを問う名著！

砂糖もはじめから今のように人々の間で消費されていたわけではありません。

ヨーロッパで流通しはじめた頃には香料や薬として使用され、王族などの圧倒的な権力を持つ極一部の人しか所有することができませんでした。

私達の身近に当たり前のように存在している砂糖を通して世界の成り立ちを考える非常に刺激的な作品です。砂糖が当たり前の存在になるにはとてつもない変遷があったのでした。私達の当たり前を問う素晴らしい作品です。「モノを通して世界史を語る先駆けとなった世界的名著」と紹介されていたのも大いに納得です。

Why not pick one up?
Human History of SpicesBuddhism in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia

A. Dolby, "The Human History of Spices" - also recommended for the history of spices in India and Sri Lanka!

この本は単にそれぞれのスパイスを見ていくだけでなく、世界の歴史の流れと関連付けて語られる点にその特徴があります。

まさに私が求めていた本そのものです。

それぞれのスパイスの原産地はどこか、いつ頃から栽培され始めたのかという基本情報はもちろん、そのスパイスと人間の関わり合いを知れるのはとても刺激的です。

歴史や文化に興味のある方はもちろん、スパイスが好きな方にも特におすすめしたい作品です。

スパイスが苦手な私ですら興味津々で読めたので、スパイス好きな方でしたらもっと楽しめる作品ではないかと思います。
Vermeer, the Painter of Light and the Scientific Revolution

Kazuhiko Yoshida, "Spinoza: Philosophy of Human Freedom" - A recommended introduction to Spinoza's life and historical background!

The author, Mr. Yoshida's narrative is very easy to understand and relate to. Reading it is like listening to an interesting class.

Spinoza may have a difficult image, but this book does not preach anything that complicated. What he was trying to say and what he was fighting against are explained in an easy-to-understand manner through the background of his life and times.

This is a great book that I would highly recommend. This book helped me a lot. I highly recommend you to pick up a copy.
Improve your observation skillsDiary of a Monk

Overview and Impressions of "Sharpening Your Observational Skills: Reading Famous Paintings" - If you change the way you look at things, you can change the world! A great book that I highly recommend students to read!

In this book, you will complete a number of practices through various paintings and works of art.

The practice through that famous Vermeer is extremely stimulating and interesting.

The details that can never be noticed by just looking at it casually. What is actually depicted in these paintings? This book will make you understand how we cannot see anything. Please read this book first to try it out. You will be shocked at how vague your view of the world is.

I was shocked at how big a difference there was between "seeing" and "watching.

This is an important skill for study, for work, and even for all of life. This is an amazing program that I hope many people will experience.