Theravada Buddhism

tangibleThird Indian Expedition - Journey to Places Related to Buddha

(65) To the ancient capital of South India, Thanjavur - It's so huge! This is not even Sri Lanka's fault!

Now, the third expedition to India is about to begin.

My first destination was the ancient capital of South India, Thanjavur.

I was here in Thanjavur to finish up the remainder of my Sri Lankan Buddhist travelogue before visiting the places associated with the Buddha.

What kind of country was the Chola Dynasty, the great power that engulfed Sri Lanka in the 11th century? We visited the capital of the Chola Dynasty.
Kelaniya TempleTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(56) Experience the bustle of the full moon holiday (Poya Day) at the Kelaniya Temple near Colombo!

Here in Sri Lanka, the custom of visiting temples on this Poya Day, which falls on the full moon day of each month, has taken root.

It was a very gratifying experience for me to see the Kelaniya temple crowded with people on Poya Day. It was a very gratifying experience for me to see the Kelaniya temple bustling with people on Poya Day. It was an experience that made me truly feel that there is a different way to deal with Buddhism than in Japan.
WickramasingheTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(54) Sri Lanka's Dostoevsky! Do you know the world famous writer Wickramasinghe?

Sri Lanka's world-renowned author Martin Wickramasinghe. Here was a tremendous writer!

The psychological descriptions are reminiscent of Dostoevsky, the storytelling is like Chekhov's, and the social observations are thorough, Zola-like. This is amazing.

Wickramasinghe's novels will be your best guide to the picture of Sri Lanka. I highly recommend this author.
Travels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(53) Arrival in Colombo, a major city in Sri Lanka! Impressed by the beautiful seaside scenery! Introducing its cityscape!

Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka, with a combined population and urban area of over 2 million. The city, which is also the center of business in Sri Lanka, is developing remarkably, and high-rise buildings are being constructed one after another. I was surprised as soon as I arrived at the city that it is almost as developed and beautiful as Japan's metropolitan area.
kataragamaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(51) Buddhistization of the Hindu holy city of Kataragama and nighttime pujas - Amazing difference from India.

Although originally a Hindu deity, Lord Katharagama himself came to be worshipped as the guardian deity of Buddhism in Sri Lankan Buddhism. This is quite similar to the Japanese term "kamibutsu shugyo," which means the union of Shintoism and Buddhism.

Kataragama has been an object of worship for both Hindus and Buddhists, but this began to change in the mid-20th century.
Abhayagiri Avalokitesvara (bodhisattva)Travels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(49) Why did Mahayana Buddhism die in Sri Lanka - What happened to the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka, which was also a center of esoteric Buddhism?

In my previous article, I talked about the existence of a Mahayana Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka, and in this article I will give a brief overview of such a Mahayana Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka.

A very important point about what Buddhism is all about will be discussed in this article. I am sure readers will be surprised.
BudhluwagalaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(48) The Great Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism Lies Deep in the Heart of Sri Lanka! Visiting the traces of Mahayana Buddhism that had taken root in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka may be thought of as the sacred land of Theravada Buddhism, but in fact, Mahayana Buddhism also took root in this land. Especially in the 8th century, Sri Lanka was the center of esoteric Buddhism, which had a great influence on the world.

I decided to head for the interior of Sri Lanka to visit its traces.