The History of Theravada Buddhism in South-East Asia: With Special Reference to India and Ceylon

by Kanai Lal Hazra

Theravada Buddhism exists in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Burma, Siam (Thailand), Cambodia and in Laos. This form of Buddhism is the tie that binds Ceylon with all these countries of Couth-east Asia. The present book tries to show that Ceylon had strong cultural links with her neighbours in South-east Asia.

From the eleventh century onwards the Sihala Sangha and Sihala Buddhism constitute a strong and vitalising force in the religious history of South-east Asia, and the Buddhist countries in South-east Asia looked on Ceylon as the fountainhead of Theravada Buddhism. This book also deals with the introduction and development of Buddhism in India.

The chief aim of this book is to examine carefully and to evaluate historically the evidence in the primary sources relating to the religious ties that existed along the Theravada countries. This book will no doubt be helpful to those interested in the study of Buddhism and Buddhist culture in India as well as in South and South-east Asia. Printed 244 with 1 map.

Genres: Buddhism

226 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2002

Reviews

[xiao yun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book traces the history of royal patronage of Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Burma, Siam, Cambodia and Laos. Its a book that focus only on the religion aspects and therefore, the timeline is not chronologically, except when kings are ascending the thrones in subsequence to one another or are related to one another. During Buddha’s living time, royal patronage was important in the transmission of Buddhism and its survival, which became even more evidently so, after the disappearance of Buddhism in India. We can review and reflect on Buddha’s Cakkavatti Sīhanāda Sutta, discourse on the Buddhist version of the universal monarch, a mythical king of great morals and virtues. It is very appreciative that author has cross referenced from chronicles across countries and archeological findings such as inscriptions, which he had also addressed in passages, on inadequacy when he found it so. However, one will have to look elsewhere for countries’ individualistic artistic contributions to architectural or cultural influences in other books. This books provides insights into the continuation of Buddhist sangha, the nikayas, their help towards each other whenever sangha in each country needed higher ordination and scriptures. This is a book that is very helpful when one needs deeper information and very good for reference as well. It is good to read it a second time.