Hello Friends
Compliments of the season to you all.
Several readers have been posting comments on this blog about various themes like the antiquity of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the Mahavamsa, Lord Buddhas visits to Sri Lanka. This in turn has generated a heated and healthy discussion in this forum
None of these comments were in any way directly related to the topics of the articles under which they were posted. It was a parallel debate of sorts without any reference to the subject matter of the article. I allowed readers to engage in this parallel discourse because I did not want to curb their enthusiasm.
Upon reflection I did find that these discussions touched and to some effect dissected several crucial issues impacting on the present state of politics in Sri Lanka. History or wrong interpretations of history along with strongly believed mythology has played and continues to play a very significant role in contemporary politics.
I thought therefore that an article on this sensitive subject by a reader/writer could stimulate an interesting and informed discussion in this forum.
With this intention in mind I present here an article by JL Devananda on what he terms as Political Buddhism in Sri Lanka. I have little doubt that the article would evoke a passionate debate.
I would very much like those who were posting comments under other articles about unrelated issues to refrain from doing so and instead focus on the topics pertaining to this article.
I hope the discussion would shed more light than heat. I also would like the exchange of views to maintain decorum and decency.
So here is the article Friends – D.B.S. Jeyaraj
THE MAHAVAMSA MINDSET:RE-VISITING POLITICAL BUDDHISM IN SRI LANKA
By J.L. Devananda
The Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka, better known as Sinhala-Buddhism (or Mahavamsa-Buddhism) is different from the Theravada Buddhism practiced in other countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and so on. The Buddhists in these countries follow only the Buddhist scriptures Tripitaka (Viniya, Sutta, Abhidhamma), whereas in Sri Lanka the ‘Mahavamsa,’ which was written by one of the Mahavihara monks (Ven. Mahanama) more than 1000 years after the passing away of Lord Buddha is also considered as a part of the Buddhist scriptures, although it deals mostly with mythical or supernatural Buddhist history, some episodes of which are copied from the ‘Mahabaratha’ and ‘Ramayana.’ Since the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) and the mythical Buddhist history (Mahavamsa) were both written in the Pali language, a Buddhist layperson who does not understand Pali cannot understand the difference between the two and, therefore, he/she believes everything that the Buddhist monks preach, to be the true words of Buddha.
Due to ignorance, even the present day Sinhala-Buddhists still believe that they are blood relatives of Buddha because, according to the Mahavamsa, their forefather Pandu-Vasudeva belongs to the Sakya clan, and is a relative of the Buddha where as the historians believe that the term ‘Pandu’ in Pali means Pandyans.
According to Buddhism, a person ordained as a Bikkhu should practice Ahimsa (non-violence), Karuna (compassion), Metta (affection), and Maithriya (loving-kindness) towards fellow humans, (irrespective of race or religion), not only by words but also in his thoughts and action. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka, due to the influence of the Mahavamsa, a Buddhist Bikkhu is at liberty to engage in racist politics and promote Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism and hatred, as we see today.
Protecting Buddhism
There was NO Buddhism in Sri Lanka until Emperor Asoka’s missionary monks led by Mahinda converted the Hindu (Siva worshipping) Naga King Tissa into a Buddhist in the 2nd century BC. Similarly, there was NO Sinhala race/tribe in Sri Lanka until the Mahavihara monks created it in the 5th century AD. When Hindu/Brahmanical influence posed a serious challenge to Buddhism and when Buddhism started to lose popular support and the patronage from the rulers, the Buddhist institutions in India came under attack. The Mahavihara monks of Anuradapura including Ven. Mahanama, the author of the Pali chronicle Mahavamsa and a close relative of the Buddhist Naga king Dhatusena witnessed the decline and disorientation of Buddhism in India. The events that took place in India against Buddhism must have prompted the Mahavihara monks in Sri Lanka to come up with a plan/strategy to protect Buddhism. Due to their strong devotion to Buddhism and desire to consolidate and protect this religion in Sri Lanka they have decided to write the Pali chronicles Deepavamsa/Mahavamsa making Sri Lanka a Dammadeepa/Sinhaladvipa (chosen land of Buddha where Buddhism will prevail for 5000 years) and creating the Sinhala race by integrating all the Buddhists from different tribes/ethnic groups into one race and making them the sustainers of Buddhism (Gautama Buddha’s chosen people) to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka for 5000 years until the next Maithriya Buddha arrive.
With the patronage of the Buddhist Kings, it is the Mahavihara monks who assimilated all the Buddhists from many different tribes together and called them Sihala (followers of Mythical Vijaya). There may have been instances where the convicted criminals from India (Bengal/Gujarat) who were exiled would have sleeked asylum in the island and would have been allowed to settle and got assimilated with the local population, but there is NO historical evidence what so ever to prove Vijaya’s arrival with 700 men or to say there were Sinhalese during the Early Historic period. The term ‘Sihala’ itself first appeared ONLY in the 5th Century AD Pali chronicles Deepavamsa/Mahavamsa and that also ONLY twice in the beginning chapters.
To date, no archaeological evidence has been found to prove ‘Hela’ or ‘Sihala’ or ‘Sinhala’ existed before that or anything about Vijaya’s arrival. Only the Mahavamsa Tika that was composed very much later to interpret the Mahavamsa, mentions that it was adopted from the mysterycal ‘Vamsa texts’ known as ‘Sihala Atthakatha’ (collection of Sinhala verbal stories). Very strangely, most of the mythical/supernatural stories from the so called ‘Sihala Atthakatha Vamsa texts’ are very similar to those found in the Indian Epics and Puranas such as the Mahabaratha/Ramayana. Ultimately, the Mahavamsa has transformed the Buddha into a special patron of Sinhala-Buddhism, an ethnic religion created in Sri Lanka.
Sinhala and Damela
There are enough of ancient archaeological evidence in Sri Lanka such as Brahmi stone inscriptions, cave writings, Pali chronicles, etc where the terms ‘Dameda’, ‘Damela’, ‘Damila’, ‘Demel’ are mentioned as a group of people living in the island. Even in the Jataka stories such as Akitti Jataka, there is a reference to Tamil country (Damila-rattha), where as there is NO evidence what so ever about the terms ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, ‘Sinhala’ before and even a few centuries after the Pali chronicles were written. Even the Mahavamsa says, the missionary monk Mahinda Maha Thero preached Buddhism to the people of the island in Deepa basa (language of the island) but it does not say that the deepa basa was ‘Elu’ or ‘Helu’ or ‘Sihala’.
Some Sinhala scholars have a weak argument for the above. They argue that the ethnic name of the dominant group does not occur in these records for the very good reason that there is no need to distinguish any person by referring to him/her as such when the people as a whole are entitled to that name (Sihala). The million dollar question is why it is not the case now because today they are actually the dominant ethnic group? (How they became a majority is another subject but I will briefly mention below). Today, leave aside the major things like medicine, etc, even the smallest stuff like roof tiles are labelled after ‘Sinhala’.
The above argument could have been accepted if the terms ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, ‘Sinhala’ was found at least somewhere outside Sri Lanka such as in any of the ancient literary works and/or the stone inscriptions/rock edicts of neighbouring India (either South or North) that was always associated with the island’s history, but unfortunately nothing has been found until now.
The kingdoms of Anuradapura and Polonnaruwa were NEVER known as Sinhala kingdoms and the Naga and Tamil kings who ruled these kingdoms never called themselves ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, or ‘Sinhala’. There is no evidence to prove that the Nagas were Sinhalese or they became Sinhalese. Subsequent to the Cola domination of Sri Lanka in the 10th century A.D, people who identified themselves as Buddhists and Sinhalese shifted their seats of rule from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradapura and Polanaruwa towards South and Central Sri Lanka while the people who identified themselves as Hindus (Saiva) and Tamils moved their ruling structures from these same regions to the North and East of the island. It was only after the 13th century AD that the kingdoms of Kotte and Kandy were known as ‘Sinhale’ even though some parts of the Tamil areas in North and East also came under the Kandyan rule but Kandy was mostly ruled by the Kalingas of South-East India and the Nayakkars of South India with whom the Tamils did not have any problems. Also, the term ‘Sinhale’, appeared only in the 13th Century AD Chulavamsa and NOT in Deepavamsa/Mahavamsa.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese and in the 18th century, the Dutch who occupied the island brought in tens of thousands of people from South India (presently Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andara) and settled them in the Southern parts of the island as menial labourers (for growing/peeling cinnamon, fishing/pearl diving, coconut planting/plucking, toddy tapping, and for many other jobs). Within a few centuries, the Sinhala population increased exponentially when these people assimilated with the local Sinhala population by adopting the Sinhala language and the Buddhist religion. Today their decedents (6th generation) are not only claiming the ancient Sri Lankan civilization as their own ‘Sinhala’ heritage but have also become the patriots and champions of Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism.
It was the British who re-discovered the Mahavamsa in the early 20th century and their so called European ‘Pali Scholars’ misinterpreted it, thereby creating another myth known as Arya-Sinhala. Since the Sinhala (Elu) language (mixture of Sanskrit, Pali and Tamil/Malayalam) was more of Indo-Aryan in nature, the British declared that the Sinhalese were Aryans from North India and the Tamils were Dravidians from South India. Influenced by the colonial historiography, the Sinhalese declared that they were indigenous to the island, and that the Tamils were invaders from South India.
Mahavamsa Mythology
It is said in MAHAVAMSA CHAPTER VII – THE CONSECRATING OF VIJAYA,
**But the king Sihabahu, since he had slain the lion (was called) Sihala and, by reason of the ties between him and them, all those (followers of VIJAYA) were also (called) Sihala.**
If Sihabahu whose father had slain the lion was called Sihala and his eldest son Vijaya and his followers were also called Sihala, then what about Vijaya’s twin brother Sumitta and his followers in Sinhapura, India? Why they were not called Sihala? That itself proves that Vijaya and the Sinhala race was a creation of Ven. Mahanama and the Mahavihara monks.
Another good example of the myths, fantasies, superstitions and fables from the Mahavamsa is the Elara/Dutugemunu episode. Just around ten lines/verses in the Pali chronicle Deepavamsa about the Elara/Dutugemunu was blown up into 11 chapters in the Mahavamsa just to glorify Buddhism and the Buddhist kings against the Hindus which gave birth to “superior race”, “Bhoomiputhra (sons of the soil)”, “Sinhaladivpa” “unitary state” and “Dhammadivpa” theories. The Mahavamsa author being a Buddhist monk and justifying the killing of around sixty thousand Tamils/Hindus (aka invaders) by Dutugemunu is one reason why others (non-Buddhists) think that Sinhala-Buddhism is somewhat of a violent barbaric form of Buddhism where killing Tamils is justified. The killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka by the Sinhala-Buddhists even today is due to this uncivilized and barbaric ehhno-religion known as Sinhala-Buddhism (or Mahavamsa-Buddhism).
There is a clear record of all the main events of Buddha, the places he visited, with whom he was, where and what he preached and to whom he preached, in the Buddhist scriptures Tripitika, but nowhere it is mentioned that the Buddha visited or even spoke about the island of Lanka. In order to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka from those powerful South Indian Hindu kingdoms, Ven. Mahanama wrote the Mahavamsa, by added his own imaginations and myths. He has introduced many events concerning Buddha which never took place, things that Buddha has never said or done, events which are not mentioned in any of the Buddhist scriptures (both Theravada and Mahayana).
For example, according to the Mahavamsa, Buddha made three magical trips to Sri Lanka, each time colonizing another area of the island, in preparation for the formal introduction of Buddhism two centuries after his death. One of these trips was to settle a dispute between the Yakkhas and Nagas at Naga Divipa (Ninathivu) where the Buddha tamed the Yakkhas, the non-human inhabitants of the island.
There is no evidence whatsoever to support this claim (Buddha’s 3 visits), other than the three chaithiyas (Buddhist structures) built in the recent past by the Sinhalese Buddhists at 3 different locations to say, ‘This is where Buddha came.’ Even the footprint of Buddha at Sri Pada (Adam’s peak) is nothing but an obvious myth.
According to the Mahavamsa, just before passing away, Buddha has called the Sakka (King of Gods) and told him,
‘My doctrine, O Sakka, will eventually be established in the Island of Lanka, and on this day, Vijay the eldest son of Singha Bahu king of Sinhapura in the Lata country lands there with 700 followers and will assume sovereignty there. Do thou, therefore guard well the prince and his train and the Island of Lanka. On receiving the blessed one’s command, Sakka summoned God Vishnu and said, ‘Do thou. O lotus-hued one, protect with zeal prince Vijay and his followers and the doctrine that is to endure in Lanka for a full five thousand years’.
It should be noted that in Buddhist scriptures, Buddha has never mentioned about any Hindu/Brahmanical Gods, he only talks about Devas and Bramahas from different worlds who have no connection with any Hindu/Brahmanical Gods.
Jathika Chintanaya (Mahavamsa mindset) and its consequences
Ven. Mahanama has created an imaginary link between the three elements, Country-Race-Religion and made it into one unit similar to the Holy Trinity, whereby Sri Lanka (Dhamma Deepa), Buddha’s chosen people (Sinhalese), and Buddhism (Buddha Sasana) should be protected for 5000 years. This is known as the Jathika chintanaya or the Mahavamsa mindset and its outcome is the ‘Sinhala-Budda Deepa’ and ‘unitary state’. Therefore, for the next 2500 years, a Sinhala Buddhist will never allow a federal state or any autonomy for others (non-Sinhala-Buddhists) in Sri Lanka.
What we witness today is a kind of political Buddhism trying to promote the interests of the Sinhala-Buddhist people, rather than religion (Buddhism) as a path for personal salvation, and it is the main impediment to peace in the Island of Sri Lanka because it is based on the doctrine of primacy and superiority of the Sinhala race and the Buddhist religion.
From a very young age, the innocent Sinhala Buddhist children who attend the Daham Paasela (Sunday school) in the Buddhist temples are brainwashed by engraving the Mahavamsa Buddhism and Sinhala Buddhist racism into their sub-conscious minds. They are taught to believe that the non-Sinhala Buddhists (Tamils) are invaders who do not belong to Sri Lanka. All the Tamils should be chased away to Tamil Nadu just the way their ancient Kings Dutugemunu did. The country (Sri Lanka), Sinhala race and Buddhism should be protected from the Tamils. Now, from recently, they have also included the Christians in those needing to be thrown out. Due to the above conditioning, the Sinhala-Buddhist majority believes that the entire Sri Lanka belongs to them and the minorities are aliens.
One good example is the former Army Chief Lt.-Gen. Sarath Fonseka who once said that he strongly believes that Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhalese, the minorities can live in the country with them (Sinhalese) but they must not try to demand undue things. This is the common understanding/belief not only among the Sinhalese masses (both educated and uneducated) and the Buddhist clergy but also among the Sinhalese political leaders right from the top as we see from the Sinhala Only Act in 1956, the Sinhala-Only (sri) vehicle license-plates policy in 1958 (have we learned anything from its aftermath that has ruined the country for many decades?) and the recent proposal to scrap the Tamil version of the national anthem and have a Sinhala-Only National Anthem, but unlike the former army chief, these politicians are extra careful when uttering in public due to diplomacy.
Coming out of ignorance
In Sri Lanka, the history is already twisted many centuries ago and sealed. What we have is not history but his-story (Ven. Mahanama’s story). Today the myth has become the truth and if anybody tries to undo the twist (after enormous amount of new discoveries) he/she will be considered an unpatriotic traitor or even a ‘terrorist supporter’. Some of the new archaeological discoveries (artefacts) which are not in favour of the Mahavamsa mythology are either hidden (not allowed to reveal the facts) or they are made to disappear by none other than the governing authorities in order to keep the majority community happy.
For example, the archaeologist Prof. Senerath Paranawithana being a non-Buddhist had to come up with magical evidence from his research to prove the accuracy of the stories in the Mahavamsa (misinterpret as true history). Once when he deviated (by saying the truth that Buddha never visited the island) he was forced to deny.
During that turbulent period (when Buddhism was under threat), the Mahavamsa author Ven. Mahanama and the Mahavihara monks had a genuine reason for the above mythology but unfortunately today due to ignorance and lack of rational thinking, the Sinhala Buddhists still believe the Mahavamsa as the gospel truth.
As long as the Sinhalese remain ignorant, as long as they cling on to the 2500 years old mysteries of the past as their guide, as long as they remain engrossed to the Mahavamsa mindset, whatever solution the that the government tries/pretends to bring in, the Sinhala-Buddhists are not going to accept. Scholars and analysts have identified that the ‘Sinhala (Mahavamsa) Buddhist mindset,’ (about the Sinhala Buddhist claim to the whole island of Lanka), as the reason why most of the Sinhalese cannot be rational and liberal.
The so called Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) should have understood by now that the first lesson and most probably the only important lesson that the Sinhala majority has to learn in order to come out from their ignorance is to differentiate/distinguish between Sinhala and Sri Lanka. Only when the Sinhalese clearly understand that Sinhala-ness and Sri Lankan-ness are not the same but two different things, we will be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel (peace will prevail) and the Sri Lankan Tamils will be able to give up their demands and unite as one Sri Lankan nation.
Very good idea to have posted this article on your blog Mr.Jeyaraj
As a Buddhist I know this will go against the erroneous beliefs held by most Sinhala Buddhists as a result of systematic indoctrination
At the same time I also realise that Tamil extremists will be delighted with this article
Nevertheless I think you have done well to post it here. Like you I hope it will stimulate healthy discussion on this site
Dear Mr.Jeyaraj
I was disappointed to find you had not written this week and look forward to the continuation of your article on the national anthem
As for this article I think you were correct in identifying its merits and posting it on your blog
But I doubt very much whether some of our “Sinhala Buddhist” readers long nurtured on fisction and myth would appreciate thefiner points and home truths
I recall the furore caused by the book”Buddhism Betrayed”.Its author the respected Anthropology dean at Harvard Prof. SJ Thambaiyah was vilified like a pickpocket for it
Fascinating article with lots of facts
Thank you dear DBS for posting it here
I am sure this will evoke a lot of controversy but like you I hope the debate will shed more light than heat.
Meanwhile I would advise you not to reveal any details about the author in his own interests particularly if he is in Sri Lanka
Very good article.
An excellent educating topic based on research and pure facts. If it is included in the text books and taught in all schools, it would be instrumental for creating a civilized society in srilanka, which in turn would pave way for peace and prosperity . This type of inspiring article should be appreciated by all. My sincere thanks to the author.
Even though we heard most of the facts written in this article before, it is always interesting to see a Sinhala scholar to write an article in this subject based on facts and analytical thinking.
I think that the following quote from this article tell it all:
“During that turbulent period (when Buddhism was under threat), the Mahavamsa author Ven. Mahanama and the Mahavihara monks had a genuine reason for the above mythology but unfortunately today due to ignorance and lack of rational thinking, the Sinhala Buddhists still believe the Mahavamsa as the gospel truth.”
This is a very good article about the general Sinhala attitude about Tamils in Sri Lanka and how it was established. This also represent the general thinking of Tamils regarding Sinhalese.
Being a ‘Sinhalese’ I do not agree with this general value from Mahavamsa. What I understand is that everything is impermanent as one of the core Buddhist teachings. So why try to hold on to an eternal Sinhala race? There are many people from Sinhala side who thinks that. We sincererly think that Sinhala and Tamil communities should live together without discrimination.
Also, being an academic I think that we need further research about these issues, that communities (not necessarily the academics or politicians) could understand how they were cheated by politicians who were (and still are) looking for short term gains – both Sinhala and Tamil sides.
This is a healthy discussion if we can establish honest and genuine dialogue, which should be free to hatred. I am involved in this discussion with colleagues and friends from Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and many other divisions of the Sri Lankan society. But we needs further evidance to make this a mainstream discussion.
I am very happy to see this article and wish the author all the best.
Very informative indeed and quite different perspective of “History” as we have known. I cannot confirm or deny any hypothesis the writer puts forward as I personally do not have the knowledge. I hope some scholars will respond for or against them with accuracy and verifyable extracts from published literature as opposed to people just writing away about what they think is correct. All in all one of the most interesting articles i have read the whole year. Thank you.
However, I Would like to know more about the writer though. Is he a historian, researcher, journalist, academic? Where does he currently reside & work? As this would help us put this article into correct perspective the same way we have just put Mahawamsa into perspective.
Also in my openion, a very rational and informative (almost academic) article is tarnished by some almost petty statements.
1. Today their decedents (6th generation) are not only claiming the ancient Sri Lankan civilization as their own ‘Sinhala’ heritage but have also become the patriots and champions of Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism.
- I feel after six generations, almost ANY community can call the culture they live in to be theirs. Nothing wrong in hailing it. If this should not be the case, then even a country like America cannot survive.
2. the Sinhala-Only (sri) vehicle license-plates policy in 1958
- Useless petty remark. Now using English letters which is alien to both races, has that brought-out any positive results?
Need more evidence / substantiation.
1. archaeologist Prof. Senerath Paranawithana being a non-Buddhist had to come up with magical evidence from his research to prove the accuracy of the stories in the Mahavamsa
- This is a major allegation. Infact a direct challenge to Prof. paranawithana’s work. Would like to know more about this and any substantiation of this claim. maybe other readers also can shed some light?
2. Some of the new archaeological discoveries (artefacts) which are not in favour of the Mahavamsa mythology are either hidden (not allowed to reveal the facts) or they are made to disappear by none other than the governing authorities in order to keep the majority community happy
- Can we have more info on this please? Any instances/ evidence that can be substantiated? Without this, it is mere heresay isnt it? If true, these are things with HUGE impact on current SL context.
As an extension of this article would like to also read about political Hinduism, political Christianity & Political Islam in Sri Lanka. from past to the present.
Since the writer agrees there was a need for Mahawamsa fabrications at that time, perhaps now it is time for a new set of fabrications???
Our friends Diyasena and Company will take up arms against this Mr. J. L. Devananda who interpretes Lankan history as it occured – provided D & Co are not in the ICU already. When Prof. S. Paranavitharana’s findings came out I understand he was under various threats and intimidation. Mr. Devananda might as well take all that necessary precaution to save his body and soul on his own – becasue the Police will not be with him when the hordes are set loose on him There may be accusations I am behind this. DBSJ might as well get ready for the missives coming his way. He needs to be congratulated for intellectual honesty and courage.
I look forward to readers’ comments in this very forthright and enlightening article.
ISS
/From a very young age, the innocent Sinhala Buddhist children who attend the Daham Paasela (Sunday school) in the Buddhist temples are brainwashed by engraving the Mahavamsa Buddhism and Sinhala Buddhist racism into their sub-conscious minds. They are taught to believe that the non-Sinhala Buddhists (Tamils) are invaders who do not belong to Sri Lanka. All the Tamils should be chased away to Tamil Nadu just the way their ancient Kings Dutugemunu did/
the above is 101% true , there is no way this trend will stop as the latest news shows the states intrest to update the same Mahavamsa with the “victory” in Mullivaykaal,
following are words in Mahavamsa which motivates anti Tamil Mahavamsa mindset . Unless current Mahavamsa is rewritten/abolished , anti Tamil mindset will not go away. if the Sinhala leadership and Viharas continue to preach it is up to Tamil intelects to decide .
the way foward to SAVE TAMIL Race .
SOME
HATRED COMMENTS AGAINST TAMILS
IN MAHAVAMSA
Chapter 1
• The king Dutthaga mani dwelling there while he made war upon the Damilas, built a mantle cetiya over it eighty cubits high. Thus was the Mahiyangana-thupa completed. Para 9 chap 1
CHAPTER 22
• and then she longed to drink (the water) that had served to cleanse the sword with which the head of the first warrior among king Elära’s warriors had been struck off, (and she longed to drink it) standing on this very head, and moreover (she longed) to adorn herself with garlands of unfaded lotus-blossoms brought from the lotusmarshes of Anuradhapura.
• The queen told this to the king, and the king asked the soothsayers. When the soothsayers heard it they said: `The queen’s son, when he has vanquished the Damilas and built up a united kingdom, will make the doctrine to shine forth brightly.’
• But when it was said to them: `Never will we fight with the Damilas; with such thoughts eat ye this portion here,’ Tissa dashed the food away with his hand, but Gämani who had (in like manner) flung away the morsel of rice, went to his bed, and drawing in his hands and feet he lay upon his bed. The queen came, and caressing Gamani spoke thus: `Why dost thou not lie easily upon thy bed with limbs stretched out, my son?’ `Over there beyond the Ganga are the Damilas, here on this side is the Gotha-ocean, how can I lie with outstretched limbs?’ he answered. When the king heard his thoughts he remained silent.
Chapter 23
• Damilas who desecrated at that time thupas and other (sacred memorials), this strong man used to tear asunder, treading one leg down with his foot while he grasped the other with his hand, and then (he would) cast them out (over the walls).
• When they observed the diminution of the Damilas they told the king; but the command `Take him with his prey they could not carry out. Nandhimitta thought: `And if I do thus, it is but the destruction of men and brings not the glory to the doctrine. In Rohana there are still princes who have faith in the three gems. There will I serve the king, and when I have overcome all the Damilas and have conferred the overlordship on the princes, I shall make the doctrine of the Buddha to shine forth brightly.’ Then he went and told this to prince Gamani. When this latter had taken counsel with his mother he received him with honour, and with high honours the warrior Nandhimitta continued to dwell with him.
• King Kakavannatissa caused a guard to hold the Damilas in check to be kept continually at all the fords of the Mahäganga, Now the king had, by another wife, a son named Dighabhaya; and he gave the guard near the Kacchaka ford into his charge. And to form the guard this (prince) commanded each noble family within a distance of two yojanas round (to send) one son thither.
Chapter 24
• Afterwards prince Gamani, reviewing his host, sent to announce to his father the king: `I will make war upon the Damilas.’
Chapter 25
• Arrived at Mahiyangana he overpowered the Damila Chatta. When he had slain the Damilas in that very place he came then to Ambatitthaka, which had a trench leading from the river, and (conquered) the Damila Titthamba; fighting the crafty and powerful foe for four months he (finally) overcame him by cunning,’ since he placed his mother in his view. When the mighty man marching thence down (the river) had conquered seven mighty Damila princes in one day and had established peace, he gave over the booty to his troops. Therefore is (the place)called Khemäräma.
• All the Damilas on the bank of the river who had escaped death threw themselves for protection into the city named Vijitanagara. In a favourable open country he pitched a camp, and this became known by the name Khandhavarapitthi.
• When the king had (thus) put them both to the test he marched to Vijitanagara. Near the south gate befell a fearful battle between the warriors. But near the east gate did Velusumana, sitting on his horse, slay Damilas in great numbers.
• Theraputta his great club,’ and thus, rushing each by himself into the streets, they shattered the Damilas there.
• the army of the Damilas was scattered; nay, Elara turned to flee and they slew many Damilas. The water in the tank there was dyed red with the blood of the slain, therefore it was known by
• When the king, after winning the victory, had slain all the Damilas he went up on the terrace of the palace,
Chapter 28
• conquering of the Damilas this people was oppressed by me. It is not possible to levy a tax; yet if without a tax I build the Great Thüpa how shall I be able to have bricks duly made?’
chapter 33
• Then Tissa the brahman and the seven Damilas also sent the king a written message concerning the (handing over of the) parasol. The sagacious king sent a written message to Tissa the brahman: `The kingdom is now thine, conquer thou the Damilas.’ He answered: `So be it,’ and fought a battle with the Damilas, but they conquered him.
• Thereupon the Damilas made war upon the king; in a battle near Kolambalaka the king was vanquished. (Near the gate of the Tittharama he mounted into his car and fled.
Dear DBS,
Very dissapointed with your giving prominence to the views of an individual such as this Authour ,whose views are partisan and frankly wrong.
Just because some twists facts to make them sound as if they are proving an arguement- should mean little to a person of your calibre.
This is the kind of article one see’s in tamilnet- really not something I expected on this blog.
You have every right to put what you want on your blog.
However many people (including me) look towards you not to insult this process by giving air to such a person.
All this does is that more extreme Sinhalese look at your blog and say- see, we can’t trust any tamils?
I am sure you will disagree with me on this but you have given ammo to the ones who want extreme positions.
Fact is Tamils lost under the LTTE. Tamils have to learn to eat humble pie and negotiate something which would allow them to live in Sri Lanka peacefully.
Currently that means having to back down and not provoke the extremists on the Sinhalese side.
I thank you for allowing my comment to be aired.
Raj
Further more ,
Lion flag is the flag carried by Duttugamini when he went to war against Tamils. Lion flag is sympol of anti Tamil war in Mahavamsa Mindset.
Rajapakse’s Father gave his children name of warriers in Mahavamsa
Gotabhaya is one of the main comander of Duttugamini when he went to war against Tamils,
they were brought up in the same mind set …
Mahinda the philosopher , Gota the military leader ….
DBS my appologies for “abuse of your facility” if any ,
I am sorry , I stop here my blood is boiling hot when I think about all this and my lost family members and my lost life……..
Realy interesting. In india “maha bharatham” ruins the country and in lanka “mahavamsa”.
First history should be cleaned from un beleivable stories.
Another point to note here is Sri Lanka tourism promotes Ramayana tourism in india just for monitory gains and this too may bring another problem in future.
I made a mistake. It should be Ramayana ruins India.
I really don’t have any argument or agreement over these as those historical stuff are hard to be proved and it does even for this author as he imagines certain things for his favour.
History is what you believe and I agree with the author that present sinhala-buddhist teaching has never done any help to let people in Sri Lanka live peacefully. Their misinterpretations of Tamils in the country is not right as the present is more important than unseen past.
At the same time I must tell that the author has no strong arguments to prove what he tries convincing us, so this stories on history remains blurred as they used to be.
I guess both Sinhalese and Tamils should give up their racist mindsets if we’re to see a peaceful Sri Lanka.
Very good article, brilliant analyse and facts. I don’t how the “mahavamsa” minded people going to digest this.
I don’t know where to begin or whether this article deserves any comments. I think the author is misunderstaning mith from reality. I have attended Sri Lankan schools from kindergarten to H.S. and attended at least three years of Sunday school at a near by temple. I have never heard anybody preach or teach we have to remove or eliminate non buddhist sinhaliese at any point in my life. Even at an informal setting I haven’t come a cross killing or eliminating people so eventually Sri Lanka will be a sinhala buddhist nation. Sri Lankans are too lazy to think that far that hard. And most of all buddhist monks are too layz to think that. Thai is a very big project. Politicians may have thought about it but most of them are too deceptive to say it out loud. (Poor Sarath F. he is not a politician).
I don’t know detailed history to tell that there are no mentions of ‘hela’, sihela,… on any of the historical writings. It is difficult know history because there is much deception and propaganda from the history writer. This is true for every country or every civilization. So I don’t expect anything less from Sri Lankan historiens. My big suprise is ‘Why did you expect them to give you a true history of what happened?’ If we take a parallel book the bible, Do you believe that ‘the God’ of Israel selected his selected people and gave them special favors or as Americans believe that land of America is given to Europians who came there by god, or the British had a special mandate from god to civilize the heathens. The same way some Sri Lankans believe that they have a special place in the world so they can feel special. I think it’s a good thing. That doesn’t give them the right to kill others. I haven’t taken a poll, but I think many Sri Lankans know there are many miths included in ‘Mahavamsa’ and other historical writings. After all isn’t there a story that we came from a lion. So don’t get too excited about the straw men ‘you’ created because you will be thrown in with the JHU or other extreamists.
Dear DBS, First of all we want to know who is this D,L, Devananda. O.K anybody can criticise history or give any interpretation. Is this person a historian or an archealogist? I never heard this name before.
a part of the Buddhist scriptures, although it deals mostly with mythical or supernatural Buddhist history, some episodes of which are copied from the ‘Mahabaratha’ and ‘Ramayana.’ Since the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) and the mythical Buddhist history (Mahavamsa) were both written in the Pali language, a Buddhist layperson who
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If this is not ignorance, what is it then? This writer goes on to bash Sinhalese-Buddhists as ignorant. Perhaps he should take a bit of Buddhist teaching and study about himself before pointing fingers at others.
Indian excavations in Sanchi and other locations and numerous stone inscriptions, found in Sri Lanka collaborate what is said in Mahavansa though its is too much to expect everything the text say to be verified by other means and also for the text to be devoid of mythical and supernatural tales given the time it was written.
However, it provides enough details that can be verified by other means which gives reasonable confidence about what it does say about NON-mythical things that cannot be verified. Hence its value. This is how Mahavamsa differs from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other epics.
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Due to ignorance, even the present day Sinhala-Buddhists still believe that they are blood relatives of Buddha because, according to the Mahavamsa, their forefather Pandu-Vasudeva belongs to the Sakya clan, and is a relative of the Buddha where as the historians believe that the term ‘Pandu’ in Pali means Pandyans.
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Suppose Buddhist believe so. Its nobody’s business isn’t it?
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According to Buddhism, a person ordained as a Bikkhu should practice Ahimsa (non-violence), Karuna (compassion), Metta (affection), and Maithriya (loving-kindness) towards fellow humans, (irrespective of race or religion), not only by words but also in his thoughts and action. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka, due to the influence of the Mahavamsa, a Buddhist Bikkhu is at liberty to engage in racist politics and promote Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism and hatred, as we see today.
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G.G. Ponnambalam, the leader of the Nationalist Tamils in the 1930s claimed that most of the Sinhala kings, including Vijaya, Kasyapa, and Parakramabahu, were Tamils. I’m sure the writer has no problem with this statement. However, the moment a Bikku contradicts this statement he gets very agitated and starts bashing entire Sinhalese-Buddhist civilization. So what is it that makes when a Bikku contradicts Tamil nationalists, Bikku’s racists and Tamil nationalists who float these idea’s that irritate Bikku’s not racists?
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J.L. Devananda, I wish to congratulate you on this excellent piece of work, may we hope that it would help warrant to remove the illusion, that has pervaded mainly in the late 19th century to date. The myth had prevented a clear thinking in many “humans” in Srilanka, may be this veil of illusion be lifted by your excellent work someday or even sooner. The Mahavamsa was definitely written due to panic and fear in Mahanama; He perceived that the Buddhism would be wiped out from this Island. The revival of Hinduism started with the Saiva Nayanmar from the 3rd century, and the Pandean king and his kingdom abandoned the Buddhism and moved back into Hinduism with the help of the Nayanmar Thiru- Ganasampanthar and Thirunavukkarsar in the 5th century, [Nayanmars complied to the request from Pandean queen and the Chief Minister who had remained as Hindus throughout]. The North and East inhabitants of this Island also abandoned Buddhism.The Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism was kindled by the British Governor, by getting the German version of the Mahavamsa into English, As he could not match Sir Ponn.Ramanathan and Sir Ponn. Arunachalam’s political calibre, so he had to devise the Divide &Rule policy, He had a puppet Don John Hewawitharana the one and only ‘Anagareka Dharmapala’ to manipulate the communal strife. The Unity the two brothers tried hard on the same line as Indian National Congresses, had and struggled to keep the Ceylon National congress intact, but it could not last more than three years. Political Buddhism crept in, the wreakers were FR &DS-Senanayake’s along with the Peiris and de.Mel many others who were released from the prison after the Riots in 1915 by Sir P.Ramanathan. Abrogation of agreements started as far back as 1919. Political haggling went on throughout from 1921 Donoughmore to Soulbury commissions, where many promises were broken. 1957 was the next by SWRD, Dudley in 1965. This sad story of mistrust due to Mahavamsa mindset continues. I barely remember reading or someone saying to me that an Astrologer told Srimavo in 1972 when she was very keen to change the Island’s name from Ceylon to Srilanka. She was told that it would be a curse and the country would ruined itself. Like the Story where Ravenna was told at the birth of his daughter abandon her or face destruction of your kingdom and end of your life. He ordered that the infant be set a float in the sea, and hoped that was the end, however he could not write off his fate. The cruel fate of his had made him to bring back his own daughter unknowingly-Sitha, [Rama's wife] for his own destruction and his kingdom. Even with your wits about you cannot challenge your destined fate.
“There was NO Buddhism in Sri Lanka until Emperor Asoka’s missionary monks led by Mahinda converted the Hindu (Siva worshipping) Naga King Tissa into a Buddhist in the 2nd century BC.”
That is a pretty sweeping claim without any evidence to support it. Firstly it is highly likely that Buddhism existed in Sri Lanka prior to the arrival of Emperor Asoka’s missionary son but he managed to convert the king (hence it was a seminal event as the kingdom became officially Buddhist as a result). Secondly, there is no evidence whatsoever that Tissa was a “Naga King” or that he was “Siva-worshipping Hindu.”
Thirdly, the fact that we know about Mahinda and Tissa and the royal conversion is because of the Mahavamsa, which JL Devananda tries so hard to bash, but ends up using to buttress his arguments
“…whereas in Sri Lanka the ‘Mahavamsa,’ which was written by one of the Mahavihara monks (Ven. Mahanama) more than 1000 years after the passing away of Lord Buddha is also considered as a part of the Buddhist scriptures, ”
Since when? Yet another sweeping claim with no evidence to back it up. Exactly since when has the Mahavamsa ever been considered “a part of the Buddhist scriptures” in Sri Lanka? Honest question.
The Mahavamsa was literally lost to Sri Lanka until it was translated by George Turnour, a Brit, in 1837 and published for the masses. It was then subsequently translated into the Sinhalese language.
In Sri Lanka, it is never included in the Tipitaka (the body of Buddhist teachings), and never has been. The Mahavamsa does not contain any Buddhist teachings like the suttas do, but is a historical tale of the island as recorded by Mahanama, who happened to be a Buddhist monk at Anuradhapura.
Any respectable historian will tell you that mobile peoples have been a critical theme throughout history. Rigid territorial-bound identities that are espoused today is a relatively recent development. It doesn’t matter who was where first. No part of the world was immune to human migration. Overall I think this article is a bit harsh on the Sinhalese, but raises interesting issues in regards to ethno-religious identities.
Thinking Cap is spot on. There seems to be irrational hysteria among the Tamil Diaspora media about the Mahavampsa’s influence on the Sinhalese Buddhist mindset. This frustration with the Mahavampsa is probably more for internal Tamil Diaspora consumption than for intelligent debate with Sinhalese.
As someone who was brought up as a Sinhalese Buddhist in Sri Lanka, I found that the Mahavampsa is regarded by other Sinhalese Buddhists I’ve met as a piece of semi-factual ancient Sri Lankan writing rather than a religious Buddhist text. Indeed while some Sinhalese Buddhists may literally regard Adam’s peak as having Buddha’s footprint in a flight of fancy, I don’t think this belief is taken too seriously at all – and is just used as an excuse to have a hike up Adam’s peak.
If some of those in the Tamil Diaspora want to score points off the Sinhalese Buddhists it may be more pertinent to explore how Buddhism in Sri Lanka has degenerated to no more than yet another organised religion, with many practitioners having little interest or understanding of the Buddha’s supposed teachings but rather are engrossed with religious ceremony and Hindu gods (a potential common ground among many Sinhalese and Tamils!).
This is article is mix of truths and fabrications just like Mahavansa. To say Mahavansa is treated as a Buddhist script is an insult to Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Fact all the Buddhist countries has built some ethno aspect to promote some sort of owner ship. That is the fact. If you ask a Thai or Burmese they will some sort of a story Buddhas visit. In what is really mention is the presence of Buddas physical body rather a projection of his image. Attaching this kind of supernatural powers to Buddha Charita varies from culture to culture so much so when in come to Tibetan buddhism he almost become a living god they believe existence of him in different world there by people can pray just like other religions. Since always spread though the idea relics to represent buddha. These relics are sometimes physical and somtimes imaginative. Therefore it is possible ordinary buddhists to buddhist interpretation to pre buddhist holi places like Sri Pada Naga Deepa and Katharagama.
How would Prof. Paranawithana know for sure that Buddha didn’t visit the the island? How can he say Buddha didn’t? An archeologist can only discover a limited number of things, whatever survived, also depends on how deep the excavations go. While he can absolutely comment on the things he discovered, saying definitively that what he didn’t discover is untrue is simply ludicrous. This alone is enough for me to doubt this article. This really does sound like an article written with an ulterior motive. Buddha had immense super-natural (not magical) powers. Even to this day, it is possible for people to develop some of those powers albeit to a much lesser extent, as they are not Buddha and have not prepared for multiples of eons. I have met people who possess such powers. It is also widely known that there are forest dwelling meditators in the Himalaya region who can move from rock to rock in this way. Anyway, the Buddha’s super-natural powers were and are unparalleled.
Buddha arrived super-naturally in Sri Lanka which means he didn’t bring Ven Ananda, whose eyewitness accounts are and memory of sermons are what the Tipitaka is comprised of. He was renowned for his memory and being able to recall entire sermons. So there is no reason for Buddha’s trips to to appear in the Tipitaka and therefore in other countries as Ven Ananda obviously coudn’t recall these trips as he wasn’t there. It is also highly likely that the Buddha had a lot more interactions with people and gave a lot more sermons than we have in the Tipitaka today. It is quite unlikely that ALL of his interactions made it into the Tipitaka.
The most important point of all that debunks this article is that the Tipitaka was first written down in Sri Lanka in the Sinhala script. By then it was lost in every other country and Sri Lanka was close to losing it as well. Up until then it was transmitted orally, by hundreds of monastics chanting it together everyday to ensure accurate transmission from generation to generation. New monks joined in, and by the time the older ones died, the new ones had chanted with them for decades and so on. Coming back to the argument in this article that a different Theravada Buddhism is practiced in other countries like Thailand, than that in Sri Lanka, and that their Tipitaka is different, well, guess where every other Theravada country got their Tipitaka from? That’s right, from Sri Lanka. If Sri Lanka didn’t write it down at that time, we would have no Tipitaka in the world today. The king decided it should be written down because the number of monks who knew the entire contents were dwindling. In other countries no one thought of doing the same, so the Tipitaka was lost. It was then sent to all the other Theravada countries from Sri Lanka re-introducing Tipitaka to them. So every Tipitaka in existence in the world today is via Sri Lanka. No other country has a Tipitaka that they received directly from India that is not via Sri Lanka. So it makes no sense to say that they practice a different Buddhism or have a different Tipitaka than we do in Sri Lanka. They all practice Buddhism that they got from Sri Lanka after they lost theirs. This is a universally accepted fact in all Theravada countries that it was written down and preserved in Sri Lanka, and does NOT come from the Mahavamsa. Furthermore, if the scribes who wrote it down or the King wanted to, they could have added anything they wanted to it as well, obviously. Like Buddha’s three trips to Sri Lanka. They saw no reason to change it because the Tipitaka consists of Ven. Ananada’s recollections.
This writer knows not what he writes about. Or perhaps he does, but only wants to write what he wants to prove his very untrue, biased points. This is one article that’s been written with a huge agenda. Sounds like more propaganda.
The Tipitaka as preserved today is the Sinhala Buddhists gift to the rest of the Theravada world. (I personally don’t like the current “Sinhala Buddhist” grouped together culture identity in Sri Lanka for many reasons, however here it is accurate to use it in the ancient context.) They were already fulfilling Buddha’s prediction that Sri Lanka would be the island that preserves Buddhism. Indeed without that one single action, there would be no Buddhism as we know it in the world today.
DBSJ,
First of all I wish you and the friends in the blog marry cristmiss and happy new year.
This time your tropic is best . Nevertheless the article seem to be partial but not impartial manner. Any way any one has to write what they want but before making any coment I want to know about the auther who furnished the article. Therefore be good to reveal about J.L.Dayananda and his capacity on furnished the tropic.
In this time I would like to informe you that there is a room to sinhala readers to read your previous letters through LANKADEEPA. I think this letter too follow the same rule. I have no hesitation that Dayananda’s letter too get more attention in sinhala readers who don’t have ability to access internet or english. I herewith quote your introduction part below,
samarasekara
“I thought therefore that an article on this sensitive subject by a reader/writer could stimulate an interesting and informed discussion in this forum.With this intention in mind I present here an article by JL Devananda on what he terms as Political Buddhism in Sri Lanka. I have little doubt that the article would evoke a passionate debate.”
Upon re-reading my comments above, I realized one sentence could be misconstrued. I haven’t read the Mahavamsa so I don’t know if the events surrounding the first writing down of the Tipitaka in Sri Lanka appears in it or not. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. What I do know is that other Theravada countries’ histories independently corroborate that the Tipitaka was first written down in Sri Lanka and that they then received it from Sri Lanka. And thus it is a universally accepted fact in all the Theravada countries. So when I said, my information is NOT from the Mahavamsa, I meant just that, I was not attesting to it appearing or not appearing in the Mahavamsa. So if does appear in the Mahavmasa, that does not make the facts untrue, but further corroborates them.
The kingdoms of Anuradapura and Polonnaruwa were NEVER known as Sinhala kingdoms and the Naga and Tamil kings who ruled these kingdoms never called themselves ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, or ‘Sinhala’. There is no evidence to prove that the Nagas were Sinhalese or they became Sinhalese.
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If Nagas didn’t become Sinhalese, what became of them? Did they become Tamils? Then, who became Sinhalese? Tamils? What is it that define a tribe as been Sinhalese?
Surely, the countless stone inscriptions left by Naga kings who ruled A & P has been written in some language? If that language has no connection with Sinhala, how did Sinhala language evolve?
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Subsequent to the Cola domination of Sri Lanka in the 10th century A.D, people who identified themselves as Buddhists and Sinhalese shifted their seats of rule from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradapura and Polanaruwa towards South and Central Sri Lanka while the people who identified themselves as Hindus (Saiva) and Tamils moved their ruling structures from these same regions to the North and East of the island.
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The migration the author is referring to occurred after Kaliga Maga invasion at the end of Polonnaruwa period. Kalinga Maga is not Chola he is from Kalinga. Most importantly, this happened in 12AD. Surely, someone writing a position paper like this ought have researched more on the topic? How can people accept a thesis of this nature containing such glaring inaccuracies?
In the first paragraph the writer says, kings in A & P were not Sinhalese but Naga. Now if the kings were Naga then the people or at least the majority must also have been Naga. Then above he is referring to people who shifted south as Sinhalese. Wasn’t it the same people who built up A & P or Naga people that shifted South?
I wish readers would engage in a constructive and informed discussion as Mr.Jayaraj hoped for and not parrot the usual cliches
For starters I would welcome comments from readers who have actually read the Mahavamsa
Even among Buddhists there is much disapproval when monks take part in politics, current events etc. The writer seems hell bent on removing monks from these things as well. I disagree because I believe citizenship rights supersede religion, for any person. I am also in favor of the country’s laws superseding any and all religions and being modern. If monks want to take part in politics, run for office etc, that is their right as any other citizen’s. Just because they become monks, they shouldn’t and they don’t lose their rights as a citizen. I often tell this to Buddhists as well. If their actions are seen somewhat contrary to Buddhism, so what? Indeed the writer, whose agenda is obvious would love to remove monks from such actions. If that were to happen something worse happens to the country. Then we are acknowledging that a religion (in this case Buddhism) supersedes the laws of the country and therefore imposing bans based on Buddhism on certain persons (in this case monks) of the citizenry. It is their right, as it is any other citizen’s. Even Buddhists should stop criticizing these monks, and also they should wonder why others like the writer of this article would so obviously love to shut these monks up.
I am also sick of hearing from around the world that Sri Lanka should behave this way or that way because it is a Buddhist country. They would love to see us not defend ourselves saying we are practicing Buddhism. Really? There was only one such country with a true Buddhist government and no army in the world. That was Tibet. Every one can see what’s happened to them now. It is unrealistic that any country’s government can survive even a decade if they said they were a Buddhist monastic type government and tried conduct affairs in a monastic kind of way. This is not only unrealistic but stupid. I have no problem with the country defending itself militarily even if it were a 100% Buddhist country. As it is, it is a multi-religious country and therefore these arguments are even stupider, if that’s possible.
I think the author has an one sided “expose” of Sinhala myths. So in fairness will question some of the myths of the Tamils/Dravida thinking
a) There was plenty of labor brought in from Malabar/Kerala by the Portugese and Dutch to work the tobacco plantations in Jaffna.
b) There is no evidence to equate the Damila in the Mahavamsa with the populations in the North.
c) Why did the Jaffna kings tack on the title CinkaiAriyan (Aryasinghe) to the end of their names.
d) How come the Jaffna kings called themselves AryaChakravatis.
e) How come Singai Pararasasegaram (Pararacacekaran VI) had a son named Singhabahu.
The more you read history the more you realize there really was never any strict separate cultural identities and the cultural identity was in a state of flux for individuals.(forget about ethnicity, its a fallacy as DNA proves).
There were people who lived in Sri Lanka, others immigrated and others moved around and intermarried. Depending on the area they live or moved to eventually integration occurred to the to local cultural identity.
First of all I’d like to stress that Mahavansha is not a Buddhist scripture. Second I would like to ask if there was no Sinhala race before mahavansha where were they living before mahavansha? If you claim they are from India, people of which state speaks Sinhala. Answer these questions.
This is the real story. Sinhalese were in Sri Lanka from the beginning and tamils came to Sri Lanka recently and that’s why tamils are minority in Sri Lanka and Sinhalese are majority. Tamil home land is Tamilnadu not Sri Lanka. This is the fact which you can not swallow.
Tamils came from tamilnadu and settled down in Sri Lanka. We don’t care as far as we can live together. But this country is a one country and won’t be divided. Intergration is the only solution. Sinhalese worship the same Gods as Tamils. Celebrates almost the same festivals. Only difference is the language. Why can’t we unite for greater good of future generations. Why can’t tamils earn trust of sinhalese and have a federal government in one country. Only solution is integration. integrate in to sinhalese and you’ll feel that whole Sri Lanka is yours not only north and east.
The article starts with saying ” … Mahinda converted the Hindu (Siva worshipping) Naga King Tissa …” and bases nearly everything onwards on that. But where is the proof for this basic premise ? The whole of the article’s basis becomes flawed from this point onwards.
This article really does not deserve a comment. But since I wasted my time reading it, I will write a few lines. history as the writer put it is his-story and this is Mr.Devenanda’s story. There is nothing of any value other then his own interpretations and most of the time hanging on to the Mahavamsa to illustrate his point.
He shamelessly exhibits his lack of knowledge in Buddhism and Buddhist history. In Sri lanka also like in Cambodia, Thailand and Burma, Buddhidm is practiced according to tripitika and Mahavamsa has no part in it. Even though Cambodia,Thailand and Burma are Buddhist countries they also have had their share of wars among them and they are mostly on land disputes, none for the sake of Buddhism.
Finally he tries to hide behind Prof. Paranawithana, If Prof. Paranawithana can not find any proof of lord Buddha’s visits to Lanka , how can the writer call that the truth. Mere lack of evidence does not prove that it never happened.
If the Mahavamsa is the obstacle to homeland, this is surely not the way to overcome it.
To Dr.Kumarakuru Vasanthi, If you agree with the writers assertions, then your anger based on Mahavamsa chapters and vereses you quote become baseless No?
secondly as a cure for your blood boiling decease a little Buddhism might be of help( you don’t have to convert for that).
I agree with #11 Raj and sad that DBSJ chose to post this. Even though a healthy discussion is the need of the hour Tamil net material does not help.
I post below the views of ‘ German Swami’ of Sellasannathi on Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He was an ordained Buddhist monk, before becoming an acolyte of Yogaswami of Columbuthurai:
“German Swami Gauribala: Walking the Razor’s Edge of Liberation
Colombo: Sunday Observer Magazine, Sunday June 21, 1992
by Sam Wickramasinghe
“So, a white skin in just a loincloth, with a few dark-skinned locals in the river during the off – season stood out prominently enough to catch my immediate attention. Discreet inquiries told me that he was known there as German Swami, and trailing him afterwards to his lair, which was then called Markandu Madam, near the Valli Amma temple-now no more, demolished years back by misguided politicians in a frenzied drive to make holy places ‘sacred’ – I was able to make his acquaintance.
This fist meeting lasted five hours. Seated cross-legged on bare floor, facing him, enveloped in the haze of a Jaffna cigar, (“my chemical weapon to keep unwanted visitors and vermin away” as he used to quip). Strangely no personal date was exchanged on this occasion although the conversation included many diverse topics like the arcane significance of Kataragama, its history, said to be dating from the Lemurian civilisation, other religions etc., unrehearsed questions posed and answers received with emotive eloquence.
No Solace
Born as Peter Schoenfeldt to an affluent upper middle-class family with influential connections in the German government, faint and incoherent stirrings arose in his breast when he chanced to read Somerset Maugham’s Razor’s Edge in his twenties. Soon afterwards, Hetman Hesse’s Siddhartha and Journey to the East clinched the matter, pulling him to India with his brother, Malte. After roaming there for sometime, meeting many holy men, swamis, fakirs and gurus, he found no satisfying solace to the confusion and conflict within, and the next inevitable stop was Ceylon mentioned in one of Hesse’s books. Here he felt the influence of Theravada Buddhism under the tutelage of the German monk, Ven. Ñanatiloka at the island Hermitage, Polagasduwa in Dodanduwa.
With the second war breaking out in the forties, all the German nationals were interned here, and soon sent across to India where young Schoenfeldt ended up in a camp at Dehra Dun with Heinrich Harrer of “Seven Years in Tibet” fame, Aufschneidter and others. Here the irrepressible Peter made a feeble attempt to escape to Tibet, only to be arrested and brought back. With the war ending, the two brothers found themselves in Ceylon once more, both to be ordained as Buddhist monks by Nyanatiloka, who was back at Dodanduwa.
Before long both felt that this form of Buddhism was not this calling. Swami often told me that Southern Buddhism was somewhat like Protestantism in Christianity born out of argument, debate and dissent as the Sanskrit root, ‘vāda’ implied. To many it was all polemics and dialectics satisfying an intellect bet on academics and scholarship rather than the ‘heart’. Eventually both gave up robes – Malte to join the diplomatic corps of their embassy in Colombo and to make Sri Lanka his home even after retirement until his demise in September ’89.
Peter continued his quest to quench the fires burning inside him by turning towards Hinduism. This took him to India many more times, meeting Sri Aurobindo at Pondicherry, Ramana Maharshi at Tiruvannamalai and other similar personages.
During this formative and fermentative period of his life he did intense tapasa (austerities) and meditation on his return to Lanka, living in Ravana’s cave in Ella, and in the vanam (forest) at Queensberry Estate, Kotmale, where the famous saint from South India, Navanada Siddha once lived.
With many years of this life of austerity and asceticism behind him, Peter was still a disappointed seeker – and one day he stood at the Jaffna railway station, waiting for the train, deciding to go back to Europe leaving the East for good. At this crucial moment destiny had other plans for him. A stranger in a verti, seeing a foreigner in the ochre-robe of a sannyasin accosted him. Hearing his tale of frustration and impatience to leave, this Tamil stranger quietly asked him whether he has met Yogaswami of Collumbuthurai, to which Peter replied that all swamis are rogues and humbugs, and he didn’t want anymore of them!
Yogaswami
German Swami’s guru Yogaswami
The stranger smiled benignly and said, ‘Yes, you are right. But Yogaswami is the greatest humbug of them all –and you must see him before you depart. You have to!” This intriguing and absurd statement rattled German Swami as this was the first time that he heard a holy man being called a humbug and someone who should be seen at all costs!
The Colombo-bound train pulled into the platform and left with the stranger and Peter was still standing there in deep thought.
Straightaway he headed for Collumbuthurai … there in a little hut he saw a burly, bearded man who yelled at him the instant he was seen.
“Who are you?” Yogaswami roared, “There’s nothing for here!”
A personal comment:
I chose ‘Buddhism as the eighth subject for my ordinary levels while studying at a Roman-Catholic school in Colombo. The text book on Buddhism was authored by Ven.Narada Thero and as the subject was not offered in school, I had to learn it on my own. There was no ‘Mahawamsa attitude’ portrayed in this text. Further, I grew up in Sinhala areas and had Buddhist friends who attended ‘Dhamma pasalas’. None of them ever showed ‘Anti- Tamil’ attitudes. In later years, several of us – Hindus, Buddhists and Catholics- from the catholic school we studied, revised for our examination in a Buddhist temple in Wellawatte!
One can debate ‘Therawada’ Buddhism, but to associate it with the ‘Mahawamsa’ because the latter was written by Mahanama , a Buddhist monk, is wrong.
There are monks and monks! There are the political monks ( a smaller proportion and more vocal) and there are the spiritual monks ( the larger number and the silent ones). The Mahavamsa was made a political tool by the likes of Anagarika Dharmapala (the same person advocated at one time that Ceylon should become one of the provinces of India!) and his political heirs to achieve their short sighted insular objectives.
-Dr.Rajasingham Narendran-
Dear sir .
I am writing here because I really hart by your article . I went to a dhamma school conducted by the famous Vajiraramaya in late 60 about five years . we were never thought about the alleged content in Mr Devanada’s article . Mahawansa was not even a subject in Dhamma school .
My son is also attending a Damma School in Colombo I could not find any thing allaged in Devanadas article in his text books either.
I can remember we were thought (may be in school ?) about dutugamunu Elara war . I was told that Dutugamunu had Tamil soldiers in his army while King Elara had Sinhala soldiers . after the death of King Elara , Dutugamunu made even a stupa in remembrance of Elara . I don’t know who told those to me . but ,as a child those things went deep into my mind. As a result I became a person who respects all religions and ethnicities .
As for the killing of Tamils in the said article during the war between dutugamunu and Elara , what about the killing of tens of thousands of Sinhalese by the Brtish in wellasa during 1818 rebellion ? . these things were considered normal during those days I suppose .
Mr Jl Devananda’s assertion that Sinhalese are ignorant and telling the LLRC to change their Mahavamsa mind set is more comical. than his spin on the history of Srilanka.
He openly admits that the desendants from a few hundred North Indians are far superior than the Tamils whom, he claims were the originals.,
He also admits that the Tamil have been losers for 2600 years at he hands of the ignorant Sinhalese.
I am not sure how the intelligent people specially in the Tamil community feel about these assertions.
Also I am not sure about the demands he is on about
Iif he means Eelaam or even self governments in the NE for the Tamil Diasporeans and their stooges back home . he will never see any light at the end of the Tunnel for sure.
Thanks for stimulating discussion on this hot topic.
According to Sinhala Buddhist practices in Sri Lanka,the
Sinhala Buddhists will not even kill an unborn life-i.e. they will not break an egg. They will not kill any animals like cows, goats etc. The killing for them is done by others, like the Muslim butchers; and the Buddhists are happy to eat the flesh. Even the Venerable Bhikkus are no exception. When Gandhi* visited Ceylon in the 30′s,he met the Mahanayakes at that time, and had a discussion. He posed the question as to ‘why they ate meat’,when Buddha has preached “do not kill”. The Mahanayakes replied that they eat what is offered to them as Dhana.
But killing Tamils is different and no sin- the Tamils can be burnt,shot, butchered- and that is no sin according to the Sinhala Buddhism doctrine.
Subra
(* I remember reading a newspaper cutting kept by my father about this)
There are many holes in this article
“Similarly, there was NO Sinhala race/tribe in Sri Lanka until the Mahavihara monks created it in the 5th century AD”
But there was a Sinhala language before that. There are inscriptions in Sinhala long before this. There was some people who spoke in a language which is related to present day Sinhala. These people were the architects of the great cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. They may have a south indian origin, but my guess is that a significant part of them came from north east india. Thus the Sinhalse are defined as people who spoke Sinhala and they existed before the 5th Century.
The bashing of the Mahvamsa is done by the Tamils to justify their quest for Eelam. Most Sinhalese are not concerned about all this. The Mahvamsa was used by indian historians to date the indian history (for example the period of Asoka). Sure it has some mythology as any historical record would (for example the bible). But people ignore that stuff and use the important parts.
It seems the author is saying most of the Sinhalese are actually Tamils. But then the Tamils say there a different race or nation and thus they want a separate country. You cannot have it both ways.
I am a Sinhala Buddhist. But I don’t care the history of all this. What I don’t want it to break up my country based on some false racist concept.
When some one pretend to sleep you cant wake them up !!
Why debate on 1000 of year before when few hundred year events are twisted and made to believe
Who is the last king of Kandy 1815 Sri wickramarajasinghe, what was his real name ? from where he is from ?
is Siddarta Hindu become Buddha ?
Thanks DBSJ for publishing this very interesting, controversial article with ample scope for a scholastic debate/discussion. From his art of writing (bit crude) it looks like the author is not a journalist. As someone said, it would have been more academic if the author had avoided some of the petty stuff/statements, and generalizing all the Dhamma schools just because a few have done such mistakes, but still it is a good article for the academics/scholars to ponder on this subject. When it comes to ordinary people, this is not going to change their already conditioned mindset and it is easy for the political/spiritual leaders to govern/preach the gullible masses. I am sure our Sinhala Buddhist extremists are not going to digest this, there will be more heat from them rather than light.
I have read very similar controversial articles written by people such as Prof. Nalin De Silva and Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera from the Jathika Chinthanaya group and many authors from Dr. Munidasa Cumaratungas Hela Havula group. Prof. Nalin De Silva goes on to say there were no Tamils in Sri Lanka until the Dutch brought them for tobacco plantation.
Most of what JL Devananda has written are known facts reveled by the modern day Sri Lankan historians and archaeologists like Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala, Dr. Sriyan Deraniyagala, Prof. Leslie Gunawardena, Dr. Sudarshan Seneviratne and many others but the most interesting part is his rational arguments, examples and some minute details. Only people who are well versed with the history and Mahavamsa can shed some light on what he has written.
The credentials of the author/messenger (a historian, researcher, journalist, or academic) are not important, what is important is the message what he gives. His main message is, if most of us (majority) can understand the fact that Sinhala and Sri Lanka are two different things then the Tamils will unite with the Sinhalese as one Sri Lankan nation. He is not talking against Buddhism but asking us to distinguish between true Buddhism which is spiritual and Sinhala-Buddhism which is political in nature. He is not insulting the Sinhala-Buddhists as ignorant but only advising to come out of it and also appealing to the Sinhala leaders to educate the people to differentiate between Myths and facts. Let us not misunderstand his message, he is talking only about a united Sri Lanka and not a separate state or Eelam for Tamils. Even though he did not mention about LTTE, from his writing it is clear that he also considers them as Terrorists.
Overall, it is a good article for rational minded people to think, once again thanks DBSJ for publishing it.
Lankan (#34)
“This is the real story. Sinhalese were in Sri Lanka from the beginning and Tamils came to Sri Lanka recently and that’s why Tamils are minority in Sri Lanka and Sinhalese are majority. Tamil home land is Tamilnadu not Sri Lanka. This is the fact which you can not swallow.”
Where did you learn this nonsense? Sinhalese were in Sri Lanka from the beginning! When was this beginning? Was the ‘Balangoda man’ a Sinhalese? When did you think the Tamils came to lanka from India? When did the Karawa, Duruwa, Salagama and similar castes come to Lanka from India? How do these castes identify themselves now? When did the Sinhala identity assert itself? Please read the publications of Professors. Leslie Gunawardene, Gananath Obeysekera, Michael Roberts and others of similar scholarship, to understand what we are and where we came from!
The ‘Red Indians” are a minority in the USA now and the ‘Whites’ are majority. Does this mean that the ‘Whites’ were in the USA before the ‘Red Indians’? What sort of logic are you peddling?
Please state clearly if you believe that the Tamils in Sri Lanka have to become Sinhalese to survive there. Do not bandy words like integration and assimilation to cloud your intent. Do integration and assimilation mean that Tamils have to lose their identity to prove they are loyal Sri Lankans? This is like asking men and women to run around naked to prove what their sex is!
Please grow up and open your mind. When you do that you will become rational and hence a true Buddhist.
-Dr.Rajasingham Narendran-
#34 Lankan, I some what agree with him. We all call our mother as Amma, sister as Akka, even father as Appa or Appuchi. there are 100s of common words in our languages then why we fight for a mare word or for that matter a language?
I see lots of similarities then difference with both the races hence let us start from here, call our Amma nation as Sri Lanka, unite under one flag (I mean Lankan flag not lion or tiger flag) and build a better and safer land for our next generation to live (and let live) in peace
I’m a Sinhala Buddhist and I never read Mahawansa. I heard that the details about Sinhala kings and what they did explain in Mahawansa. In our Dhamma schools never taught us to hate anbody or any race.
In every country religion and politics interwined together wether you like it or not.It is same in UK,USA and Srilanka. The” Mahawansa Mind Set” theory created by Sinhala Christians to criticise Buddhism. Now it is used by Pro-LTTE organisations and various christians sects. I think the writer Devananda also a member of one of these sect.
I do not know who this author is. But this article reminds me of the fact that some people in the past also did change the history of Sri lanka to justify the ‘Elam- homeland’ concept. I feel this is just another such thing.
Due to ignorance, even the present day Sinhala-Buddhists still believe that they are blood relatives of Buddha
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I stopped reading at this point. What a blatant lie
This looks more like an article from Tamilnet, not from the respected DBS blog. Poor show DBS
I am a Buddhist but I studied in a private catholic school and did Christianity for my GCE O/L. I learned Buddhism from my grandparents. They taught me that Sri Lanka is a blessed country because according to Buddhism, Buddha has visited three times. I also learned from them that it was Buddha who said that the Sinhala prince Vijaya from Sinhapura will go to Lanka and his followers (Sinhalese) will preserve Buddhism for 5000 years. I also learned that it was God Vishnu who will protect the country and the Sinhala people and God Vishnu will become the next Buddha and he will be born in Sri Lanka.
I still believe that this is part of Buddhism and the Buddhists all over the world had the same opinion, but as per this article it is not a part of Buddhist scriptures but a part of Mahavamsa. I am fully confused, can someone tell be if the above is a part of Buddhism or not?
If it is not in the Tripitika but only in the Mahavamsa as this article says (I am sure it is a lie) then can we believe it as the truth? This author says the archeologists have not found any proof, then how did Venerable Mahanama Thero knew it?
It is highly confusing, it is better to ignore these andara demala articles.
DBSJ, This article is rather difficult to digest. Did you read the whole of it?
My surname suggests that I descended from Portugese. Perhaps even a ‘Cross Bred’ – Mongrel???.
However I was born into it and there is nothing Ican do about it.
Having summed up my being here your Author seems to think that the Sinhalese just dropped from the sky and became the largest ethnic group. mmm
Rabbits…….
Folks lets just go forward.. There is a lot of Sinhalese and less of tamils. Whatever happened for it to be like that happened.
The need of the Hour — help you fellow man.
Two of my names are David and Buell.The Jeyaraj too is a Sanskritised name……………….DBSJ
a very racist article !!
they are responsible for d continued conflict and reality of d nation
yes Tamil expansion is saintly innocence
Rama to ellala raja adi raja to Madras seapoys the historical genocide of islanders runs to many millions
go sort out ur own myths, marrying niece, killing baby girls and appalling poverty in Tamil nadu
The author of this article has a Prabahakaran mindset. Does not deserve a comment .He sounds very much like one from the Diaspora who funded the LTTE to use the poor tamil children as cannon fodder whilst their children enjoyed the comforts of the west and went to the best of universities What the country both Sinhalese and Tamil need is reconcilliation and articles like this only creates the opposite.
Great discussions may arise from great articles but not from stupid writings. It would have happened if the author produced a scholarly article based on sound evidence. Instead he (?) decided to write a political type mudslinging article based on unsubstantiated claims and false allegations. He (?) further goes on to twist facts and interpret them according to his whims and fancies.
According to Mahavamsa, Kind Elara was a prince from India. In other words, he was an invader from another country. So why some people are so upset about local people going to war with him? Isn’t that the case with all the other nations? No one wants to be ruled by a foreign invader and unfortunately Elara happened to be a Dravidian in origin. Glorification of the victor is the norm in all the instances irrespective of what happened and it is human nature. If you take it as racism, there is a problem in the way you think. But to be fair to Mahavamsa author he mentions that Elara was a good king and Dutugemunu respectfully cremated his body after his death. But author of this document conveniently omit that statement and also does not mention the fact that some Tamils fought for Dutugemunu and some Sinhalese fought for Elara. This type of glorification can also be identified after complete wipe off of Portuguese in Mulleriyawa by prince Tikiri Bandara. But Portuguese never complained it as racism. It was a normal phenomenon that happens to an invader when gets defeated in a war.
And as a Sinhalese, we were never asked to mix Mahavamsa and Buddhism and we know the difference. We never consider us as relatives of Lord Buddha. What we were taught in school was Mahawamsa should not be considered as gospel but have to be verified by stone inscriptions, other documents and remains of physical structures. That should be the case with others because when I usually come across a quality scholarly article, I find that authors do not mention Mahavamsa as the sole source to underpin their arguments. They always draw attention to other sources to bring forth strong arguments and there are instances the Mahavamsa story seems to coincide with the evidence generated from other sources. I think Mahavamsa is not a full on myth (like Mahabharatha/Ramayana), but an inaccurate history document that is based on some factual contents. As an example I thought that sacrifice of Vihara Maha Devi (mother of king Dutugemunu) was a total fabrication until the Boxing Day Tsunami.
I have seen this article before and I think to make it look a new version the author has added the following paragraph. “………..and the recent proposal to scrap the Tamil version of the national anthem and have a Sinhala-Only National Anthem, but unlike the former army chief, these politicians are extra careful when uttering in public due to diplomacy.” There is a problem in Sri Lanka that has to be resolved thus health debated should be encouraged at any cost, but this kind of eccentric articles will only deepen the problem by encouraging hatred and counterproductive allegations.
[The Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka, better known as Sinhala-Buddhism (or Mahavamsa-Buddhism)]
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This chap is confusing me and maybe bhudhists may be able to enlighten me. I thought there is nothing called sinhala bhuddhism. I have heard of sinhala bhudhists and that is understandable because they are sinhalese who are bhuddhist. I have also heard of sinhala bhuddhist nationalism and that is the politics played by our leaders after independence which resulted in all this disunity,trying to make out that this country rightfully belonged to sinhala bhuddhists and others can live here as well behaved guests, but this is the first time i have heard of sinhala bhudhism as if it is the sinhalese who created a specific brand of bhudhism.
He is confusing me further by calling it mahawamsa bhudhism which also i have never heard of before.naturally i know of the mahawamsabut not of mahawamsa bhuddhism which implies again that the mahawamsa teaches about a particular brand of bhuddhism. My recollection of the mahawamsa is it is about our kings. It is not anything about practicing a religion, but may have mentioned about how bhudhism originated in india and srilanka, because it is connected to the history of our kings.
This guy devenanda must be related to douglas.
Educating the ignorants is a very difficult task.
Recently, I met a Diplomat from Sri Lanka at a dinner and the discussion turned to history.
Even he appeared to believe that the Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka thrice and that too flying.
If such people still believe these fairy tales how can we expect anything better from the ordinary?
But I know some educated Buddhist priests who do not believe the above, when I asked one of them, he said the laypersons strongly believed it for many centuries and if you try to change their mindset they will hang you.
We have no choice but let the people believe what they believe.
J.L. Devananda, and DBS,
Most of the English and IT literate people were able to read and research and come to this conclusion,as there are ample amount of writings in the web by unbiased scolers.How will the Sinhala politicians, and the Sinhala mass be educated ? Who can bell the cat? To start this article be translated in to Sinhala/Tamil be a staring point and the next step is who is prepared in Srilanka to publish it in printed media? Of caurse they will be visited by white van Hela urumya,Wimal w and Mervyn etc.
this article is full of inaccuracies about history.
for example all the writing found before the 10th-12th century in the island and the north and east and outside is sinhala prakit only. there is no archaeological evidence of any tamil kingdoms in the north and there is no tamil writing in the north and east found prior to this period either i.e. 12th century. in fact there is no evidence of larger scale tamil settlement before the 12th century in the north. the mentioning of ‘damila’ in the writing is because there would have been of course smaller scale settlements of ‘damilas’ and especially due to quite an amount of trade with southern india and ‘damila’ traders in particular.
even the invasions from south india, they invaded the kingdoms of anuradhapura and pollonaruwa since these was the capitals of lanka (lets say rajarata) at that time. during these periods there is evidence of hindu influence of the respective capitals. Please visit the museum in colombo and have a look at all the evidence of these.
in addition there is plenty of buddhist ruins in the north and the east as they were part of the lankan kingdoms at that time. somawathi, kantharodai, digavapi are just a few examples. again visit the colombo museum and have a look. who built all the irrigation tanks all over the north central, north and eastern areas? kanthalai wewa was built by king agbo for example. who built the giants tank? any guesses? there are approximately more than a thousand such irrigations tanks built by the lankan kings in the north central, north, east and other areas.
however after the 12th century there is settlement of tamil people in the north on a larger scale.
please dont try to distort history to justify mythical eelam. yes tamil people lived in the island from around 12th century onwards on a larger scale. prior to that these areas were part and parcel of the lankan kingdoms at that time i.e. anuradhapura and pollonaruwa. after this most of these areas became part and parcel of the kandyan kingdom.
why worry about these now? all of sri-lanka belong to all of its people equally. until people like the author accepts this we probably will have these pointless arguments back and forth.
about evidence all thr evidence i have pointed out was what was found in archeaological sites and not due to anything written in any texts such as mahawamsa. the sinhalese kingdoms did not confine themselves to any particualr areas of the island since there was no need for such confinement.
is the author then suggesting that the muslims who may have come during the 13th century onwards have no say in affairs of the state? what about the veddhas? where is their homeland? they above all else should have a homeland if anything. how about the burghers, dont they have a say? or the malays? the author should realise we are all sri-lankan and sri-lanka belongs to all of us equally and stop this nonsense.
this article is full of inaccuracies about history.
for example all the writing found before the 10th-12th century in the island and the north and east and outside is sinhala prakit only. there is no archaeological evidence of any tamil kingdoms in the north and there is no tamil writing in the north and east found prior to this period either i.e. 12th century. in fact there is no evidence of larger scale tamil settlement before the 12th century in the north. the mentioning of ‘damila’ in the writing is because there would have been of course smaller scale settlements of ‘damilas’ and especially due to quite an amount of trade with southern india and ‘damila’ traders in particular.
even the invasions from south india, they invaded the kingdoms of anuradhapura and pollonaruwa since these was the capitals of lanka (lets say rajarata) at that time. during these periods there is evidence of hindu influence of the respective capitals. Please visit the museum in colombo and have a look at all the evidence of these.
in addition there is plenty of buddhist ruins in the north and the east as they were part of the sinhalese kingdoms at that time. somawathi, kantharodai, digavapi are just a few examples. again visit the colombo museum and have a look. who built all the irrigation tanks all over the north central, north and eastern areas? kanthalai wewa was built by king agbo for example. who built the giants tank? any guesses? there are approximately more than a thousand such irrigations tanks built by the sinhalese kings in the north central, north, east and other areas.
however after the 12th century there is settlement of tamil people in the north on a larger scale.
please dont try to distort history to justify mythical eelam. yes tamil people lived in the island from around 12th century onwards on a larger scale. prior to that these areas were part and parcel of the lankan kingdoms at that time i.e. anuradhapura and pollonaruwa. after this most of these areas became part and parcel of the kandyan kingdom.
why worry about these now? all of sri-lanka belong to all of its people equally. until people like the author accepts this we probably will have these pointless arguments back and forth.
about evidence all thr evidence i have pointed out was what was found in archeaological sites and not due to anything written in any texts such as mahawamsa. the sinhalese kingdoms did not confine themselves to any particualr areas of the island since there was no need for such confinement.
is the author then suggesting that the muslims who may have come during the 13th century onwards have no say in affairs of the state? what about the veddhas? where is their homeland? they above all else should have a homeland if anything. how about the burghers, dont they have a say? or the malays? the author should realise we are all sri-lankan and sri-lanka belongs to all of us equally and stop this nonsense.
this article is full of inaccuracies about history. i am against this type of distortion of history.
for example all the writing found before the 10th-12th century in the island and the north and east and outside is sinhala prakit only. there is no archaeological evidence of any tamil kingdoms in the north and there is no tamil writing in the north and east found prior to this period either i.e. 12th century. in fact there is no evidence of larger scale tamil settlement before the 12th century in the north. the mentioning of ‘damila’ in the writing is because there would have been of course smaller scale settlements of ‘damilas’ and especially due to quite an amount of trade with southern india and ‘damila’ traders in particular.
even the invasions from south india, they invaded the kingdoms of anuradhapura and pollonaruwa since these was the capitals of lanka (lets say rajarata) at that time. during these periods there is evidence of hindu influence of the respective capitals. Please visit the museum in colombo and have a look at all the evidence of these.
in addition there is plenty of buddhist ruins in the north and the east as they were part of the lankan kingdoms at that time. somawathi, kantharodai, digavapi are just a few examples. again visit the colombo museum and have a look. who built all the irrigation tanks all over the north central, north and eastern areas? kanthalai wewa was built by king agbo for example. who built the giants tank? any guesses? there are approximately more than a thousand such irrigations tanks built by the sinhalese kings in the north central, north, east and other areas.
however after the 12th century there is settlement of tamil people in the north on a larger scale.
please dont try to distort history to justify mythical eelam. yes tamil people lived in the island from around 12th century onwards on a larger scale. prior to that these areas were part and parcel of the sinhalese kingdoms at that time i.e. anuradhapura and pollonaruwa. after this most of these areas became part and parcel of the kandyan kingdom.
why worry about these now? all of sri-lanka belong to all of its people equally. until people like the author accepts this we probably will have these pointless arguments back and forth.
about evidence all thr evidence i have pointed out was what was found in archeaological sites and not due to anything written in any texts such as mahawamsa. the sinhalese kingdoms did not confine themselves to any particualr areas of the island since there was no need for such confinement.
is the author then suggesting that the muslims who may have come during the 13th century onwards have no say in affairs of the state? what about the veddhas? where is their homeland? they above all else should have a homeland if anything. how about the burghers, dont they have a say? or the malays? the author should realise we are all sri-lankan and sri-lanka belongs to all of us equally and stop this nonsense.
The biggest myth is that all sinhalese read this mahavamsa and follow it all their life! I have not read it and dont know of anyone who has.
True, there are occasional racist teachers and monks who preach to children, but you get that sort in every race/society/religion.
Most of what this author has said is an opinion and very little facts. Some quotes do help to provide some backing, but mostly just opinions. Surprised that DBSJ published this article, which is different to what he normally publishes from other authors. A lot of the tamils would of course love the content and applaud.
I (a sinhalese buddhist) has learnt a lot about what was in the mahavansa from tamils who quote from it. Ironic!
Well articulated. DBS could be regarded as an authority on writing provocative articles that are fact based. His neutrality could be assessed by the destructive criticisms that he is subjected to by the extremist elements amongst tamils and sinhalese.
Any overseas born Tamil or Sinhalese wanting to understand the cradle of tamil extremism should read this article. As a Tamil I never could support the tamil extremism that believed in blood letting and killings, and at the same time all tamils are united by the cause for emancipation.
The fact that some extremist Sinhala readers stopped reading the article shows that the reality that is ingained in their sub-concious minds are too confronting when expressed in terms of what their concious mind could comprehend. Afterall ignorance to these readers is a blessing in disguise.
This article was NOT written by me………..DBSJ
Who are these Nagas? Someone asked this question. I found some details.
During the ancient period the Nagas and Damilas living in both South India and Sri Lanka (Nagapuram, Nagarkovil, Nargapattinum, Nagakulam, Nagadivpa, etc) were considered as the natives of South India/Sri Lanka region (the ancient inhabitants of the region). During the Early Historical Period, South India and Sri Lanka were not considered as two different countries. The Nagas and Damilas not only occupied both South India and Sri Lanka but they were also moving back and forth between Sri Lanka and South India and worshipping God Siva.
Prince Tissa was the second Son of King Muta Siva (367-307 BC) and brother of king Maha Siva (257-247 BC). Muta Siva (367-307 BC) was the Son of King Pandu kabaya, and Pandu kabaya (437-367 BC) was the son-in-law of Giri Kanda Siva and Grandson of King Pandu Vasudeva (504-474 BC).
Emperor Asoka (who assumed the title Deva-nampriya Priyadarsi which means Beloved-of-the-Gods) sent his Buddhist missionary monks lead by Arahant Mahinda (Mahinda means great Indian) to Lanka not only with Buddhism but also the Pali language (Magadi Prakith), Asokan Brahmi script and the Buddhist culture. It was Saivaite Naga Prince Tissa who was first converted to Buddhism. The Tissa Dynasty started with Saivaite Naga king Tissa (307-267 BC) who was given the title Devanampiya by the Indian emperor (Devanampriya) Asoka for accepting Buddhism.
The kings belonging to the Tissa and Lambakarana dynasties that ruled the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Anuradhapura were Nagas. Dutugemunu, the hero of the Sinhalese and the national hero of Sri Lanka, was a Naga king belonging to the Tissa dynasty. His mother Vihara Maha Devi was the daughter of the Naga king of Keleniya, and his father Kavan Tissa, was the great grandson of Maha Naga, who established a kingdom in Mahagama (modern Tissamaharama) in Rohana (ancient south Lanka). Maha Naga’s older brother, Devanampiya Tissa, a contemporary of Emperor Asoka, was the first king of the Tissa dynasty.
Some of the Tissa kings who proudly bore Naga clan names Khallata Naga (Dutugemunu’s nephew), Cora Naga, who was one of the many victims poisoned to death by the amorous Queen Anula, Mahadathika Maha Naga and Ila Naga. Ila Naga’s son Candamuka Siva married Damila Devi, a Tamil princes from South India. Yasa Lalaka Tissa was the last king of the first dynasty that ruled the Anurdhapura kingdom.
While I acknowledge that fact about mahavamsa and Buddha’s visits and the race I was disappointed that the writer had some inaccuracies. all the Sunday schools that I went to only taught buddhism and nobody never tried to tell us about Sinhala race and mahavamsa. to a true buddhist it does not matter what race you are we are all the same, budhism teach us about giving up worldliness so I can’t imagine a monk teaching little children to differentiating demala and sinhala, that would be a crime acording to buddhist teachings. I realize that there is a neo-militant type of budhism with rathana thero who is more a lay person in saffron robe insulting buddha by his hate speeches. don’t mix that with buddhist teachings. during the time I lived in SL 15 y ago this would have never hapened, monks doing such thing, I don’t know if things have changed recently but I doubt it. while you have a point about ignorant uneducated Sinhalese believing this type of myths I doubt wether anyone would actually believe it as it is, aslo I thought that chapters II and III are ACTUAL historical facts about who ruled and what happened during their time, so it is a mixture of myths and facts, but people know this, only problem being they use it to their political advantage, for their own gain. imagine the wholly bible it is said to be a collection of stories from historical middle-eastern word of mouth stories, identical once written in other M-E stories, and how many millions believe it to be nothing but the truth. only way to settle this is to check DNA profiles of kandiyans, people whose names ending with singhe whom are said to be sinhalese with tamil people and Wedda people and the rest of the population who are immigrants the amount of assimilation and difference, which will cost millions of $, therefore I doubt will ever happen.
Therawada Buddhism- A brief summary (Google Search)
Theravada Buddhism
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Introduction
Theravada Buddhism, along with Mahayana Buddhism, are the two principal branches of Buddhist belief. It is most widespread in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Like Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada (Pali for “School of the Elders”) claims to perpetuate the true teachings and practices of the Buddha.
The Theravada school traces its descent from the original sangha, or monastic community, that first followed the Buddha. Its canon of scripture consists of the Tipitaka (Three Baskets), the first great compendium of Buddhist writings, composed in the Pali language. Theravada tends toward doctrinal conservatism, exemplified in a cautious interpretation of its canon. Because of this, it has been given the pejorative name Hinayana (Sanskrit for “Lesser Vehicle”) by its rivals, who call their own tradition Mahayana (“Greater Vehicle”). The goal of the Theravadin, or devotee of Theravada, is to become an arhat, a sage who has achieved nirvana (enlightenment) and will never be reborn. Mahayana traditionally prefers the figure of the bodhisattva – who, out of compassion, helps others toward salvation – to the arhat, who is concerned chiefly with his own salvation.
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Origins and Development
Theravada was the only tradition among the so-called Eighteen Schools of early Buddhism to survive the first centuries after the Buddha’s death in the 5th century BC. Some authorities trace its origins to the events following the second great council of Buddhism at Vaishali, India, in 383 BC, in which novel interpretations of doctrine were condemned by conservatives – the Theras (Elders) – who thereby became the originators of Theravada orthodoxy. The reformers, in turn, accused the conservatives of being too self-absorbed and dogmatic. The ideological split was confirmed at the third council, convened by King Ashoka at Pâtaliputra (now Patna, India) in about 250 BC. After that, according to tradition, the orthodox school is said to have been spread to Sri Lanka by Ashoka’s son, the monk Mahinda. There it became a national creed, centered at the great monastery of Mahavihara and closely associated with the Sri Lankan monarchy. Ashoka’s missionaries also spread Theravada Buddhism to Myanmar and Thailand. For much of the 1st millennium AD, Theravada existed alongside Mahayana and esoteric Buddhism in all these areas.
While other early sects died out or were absorbed into Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada retained its identity. Similarly, when Buddhism died out in India after the 12th century AD, Theravada kept its hold in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. In about the 10th century, a Theravada reform movement began in Sri Lanka that consolidated the kingdom as a Theravada monarchy. The reform movement spread to Burma and Thailand, where it revitalized the Theravada tradition and ensured its supremacy over other Buddhist sects. Reformers also carried the creed into Cambodia and Laos, where the geographical limits of Theravada predominance were reached. Despite some Theravada followers in Vietnam and elsewhere, Mahayana Buddhism became the dominant tradition in the rest of the Buddhist world.
Despite the European colonialism that began in the early 19th century, Theravada continued in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, in some areas becoming identified with nascent nationalist movements. In Sri Lanka, during the 18th and 19th centuries, Theravada split into factions, mostly over questions regarding the caste of worshippers. Thailand began reform of its Theravada tradition in the 19th century as part of the general national reform initiated in response to European colonialism, and the country has remained a fertile source of Theravada reform movements. In the 1980s and 1990s, Theravada became an important factor in civil strife between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority of Sri Lanka, with some militant Buddhists promoting a vigorous Sinhalese nationalism. In Myanmar, Theravada has become one element of the rigidly conservative political and social policies of the country’s military rulers. Theravada in Laos and Cambodia suffered a setback during the Vietnam War (1959-1975) and the subsequent Communist domination but appeared to be reviving in the 1990s. Theravada has been reestablished in India in the modern era by the mass conversion to Theravada Buddhism of Harijans (the so-called Untouchables, who fall outside the traditional class divisions of Hindu society), who are attracted by Buddhism’s indifference to Hindu concepts of caste.
Organization
Theravada organization is in principle based on the original instructions of the Buddha as laid down in the Vinaya Pitaka, the compendium of 227 rules for monastic discipline that forms part of the Tipitaka. Since the sangha is the core institution of Buddhism, its structure is the basis of Theravada organization. Theravada monks were traditionally criticized by Mahayana believers for being too concerned with their own salvation and for indifference to the lay community. Theravada doctrine holds that only a monk can attain nirvana and that the laity can only aspire to be reborn as a monk after many reincarnations spent discharging the burden of karma (intentional action that determines one’s future destiny). However, in some countries, especially Myanmar and Thailand, young men are placed in monasteries temporarily as part of their education, thus fostering lay involvement in the sangha.
Most countries with large numbers of Theravada adherents exhibit strong historical ties between the Buddhist hierarchy and the government. In such countries, Ashoka’s beneficent propagation of Buddhism has been accepted as the exemplar of wise and legitimate government and as a precedent for state involvement in religious affairs. The state and the sangha are often seen as complementary and mutually supportive, ministering respectively to the secular and religious needs of the people. The temples themselves are loosely coordinated in most Southeast Asian countries, with little in the way of formal hierarchy between them. In early Sri Lankan Buddhism, a short-lived and limited practice of clerical marriage developed, and charge of particular temples was passed from father to son.
Theravada has a notable tradition of forest-dwelling hermits who exist outside the monastic organizations. In contrast to Mahayana Buddhism, since about AD 500, Theravada has had no orders of Buddhist nuns. There is limited participation in the sangha by women and lay people, who generally wear white robes and take up asceticism (self-denial) without entering a monastic order.
Doctrine
Theravada claims to abide by the original teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Theravada doctrine reveres the Buddha as a single supremely gifted, yet mortal, teacher, in contrast to the succession of transcendent beings postulated by Mahayana. Some Theravada scriptures list other Buddhas, but in general the emphasis is on the one historical Buddha, on the grounds that no universe can bear more than one Buddha without shattering.
The dharma, or teachings, of the historical Buddha are usually regarded as being contained in the Tipitaka. Unlike Mahayana, which has generated a vast number of additional sutras (scriptural texts), Theravada confines itself to this core dharma. The Theravada canon is recorded in Pali, a dialect popular during the Buddha’s lifetime. Other works highly esteemed in Theravada – particularly the dialogues in the Milindapanha (2nd century AD; translated as Questions of King Milinda, 1963), and the Visuddhimagga (5th century AD; Path of Purification, 1964) by the great Buddhist commentator Buddhaghosa – are regarded by most scholars as authoritative collections rather than as the fruit of further revelations of dharma (although the Milindapanha is considered canonical by the Myanmar).
The dharma of Theravada regards human existence as a complex of various transient aspects, also called dharmas. These dharmas are grouped in overlapping categories of 5 components (skandhas), 12 bases (ayatana), and 18 perceptual elements (dhatu). The 5 components are the physical body (rupa), feelings (vedana), cognitive perception (sanna), mental predispositions (sankhara), and consciousness (vijñana). The 12 bases are the 5 sensory organs with their 5 sensory fields, plus the mind and the object of mental perception. The 18 elements are the 5 sensory organs plus the mind, their 6 associated objects, and the 6 so-called consciousnesses of ear, eye, nose, mouth, body, and mind. These dharmas create a composite being not united by any enduring soul (atman) or identity: There is no self in the strict sense. The Theravadin endeavors to manipulate the dharmas so as to suspend the action of karma and thereby to achieve nirvana. Theravada is therefore less a philosophical doctrine than an almost scientific discipline, although it depends on a complex cosmology of cyclical, multiple worlds and an involved scheme of reincarnation.
This author seems to be biased towards the Tamils but I do not consider him as a separatist/Eelamist or a chauvinist/racist because he says the Tamils will someday unite as one Sri Lankan nation. He is neither talking about separatism nor anything against Sinhalese people or the Buddhist religion. He is only bashing the Mahavamsa but at the same time he is not blaming its author either.
There are many such authors even among the Sinhalese who are biased towards the Sinhalese. Instead of reacting emotionally or blaming/bashing the author, let us go to the subject, dissect it and try to counter his arguments and nullify them. If you read the last paragraph, he is only appealing to the moderate Sinhalese, so let us not brand him as a ‘terrorist supporter’.
It is true that some of the Sinhala extremists will not like his article but at the same time I do not think that even the Tamil extremists are going to support his views such as excusing the Mahavamsa author or uniting with Sinhalese as one Sri Lankan nation and so on.
J.L Devananda obviously has an axe to grind with the Sinhalese Buddhist community. I wonder whether he sees Tamil Hindus as practicing their religion and would care to write about how many suicide bombers they have given to the world?
Buddhist monks of the Mahavihara maintained chronicles of Sri Lankan history, starting from the 3rd century BCE. These annals were combined and compiled into a single document in the 5th century CE by the Buddhist monk Mahathera Mahanama. It was written based on prior ancient compilations known as Sinhala Atthakatha, which were commentries written in Sinhala.
Mahathera Mahanama relied on this text, as he mentions in Mahavamse tika, that is the preface to Mahavamse. [4] Another, earlier document known as the Dipavamsa, which survives today, is much simpler and contains less information than the Mahavamsa, and was probably compiled using the Sinhala Mahavamse Atthakatha as well.
A companion volume, the Culavamsa (“lesser chronicle”), compiled by Sinhala Buddhist monks, covers the period from the 4th century to the British takeover of Sri Lanka in 1815. The Culavamsa was compiled by a number of authors of different time periods.
The combined work, sometimes referred to collectively as the Mahavamsa, provides a continuous historical record of over two millennia, and is considered one of the world’s longest unbroken historical accounts. It is one of the few documents containing material relating to the Nāgas and Yakkhas, the dwellers of Lanka prior to the legendary arrival of Vijaya.
As it often refers to the royal dynasties of India, the Mahavamsa is also valuable for historians who wish to date and relate contemporary royal dynasties in the Indian subcontinent. It is very important in dating the consecration of the Maurya emperor Asoka, which is related to the synchronicity with the Seleucids and Alexander the Great.
Indian excavations in Sanchi and other locations, confirm the Mahavamsa account of the Empire of Asoka. The accounts given in the Mahavamsa are also amply supported by the numerous stone inscriptions, mostly in Sinhala, found in Sri Lanka.
Karthigesu Indrapala has also upheld the historical value of the Mahavamsa. It is in this sense that the Mahavamsa differs from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other epics that have no direct historiographic value. If not for the Mahavamsa, the story behind the large stupas in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, such as Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri, and other works of ancient engineering would never have been known.
Besides being an important historical source, the Mahavamsa is the most important epic poem in the Pali language. Its stories of battles and invasions, court intrigue, great constructions of stupas and water reservoirs, written in elegant verse suitable for memorization, caught the imagination of the Buddhist world of the time.
Unlike many texts written in antiquity, it also discusses various aspects of the lives of ordinary people, how they joined the King’s army or farmed. Thus the Mahavamsa was taken along the silk route to many Buddhist lands. Parts of it were translated, retold, and absorbed into other languages.
An extended version of the Mahavamsa, which gives many more details, has also been found in Cambodia. [Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. 2003]
The Mahavamsa gave rise to many other Pali chronicles, making Sri Lanka of that period probably the world’s leading center in Pali literature.
I attended Sunday schools and learnt Buddhism at the school and never learnt to hate any race of religion. We were always taught to love not only the humans but also all living things including animals and trees. So Let all of us stop all these nonsense arguments and start building a country so that all races can live peacefully in it.
I was hoping this would turn into a more of a scholarly debate rather than an article helping to widen the gap resulting with heated arguments from both “sides’ Looks like it may not happen.
Still finding it difficult to learn who the writer is. All I found out was that he has been writing similar articles for a lot of alternate/ forum websites. But nothing concrete or an attachment to a university or any established institution could be discovered.
In the meantime, would have liked to see some scholar of SL history or Buddhist history coming forward to confirm or deny what is said here.
Also, someone very rightly pointedout Mahawamsa was written as a history of this land and NOT as an alternative to Tripitaka. So it is just ANOTHER version of history. One cannot say it is 100% accurate OR 100% inaccurate.
Geo-politics of religions is also not a new thing. I am sure one can very easily research and write about how the “History” tought or preached to SL Tamils is serving them in exact same way Mahawamsa does to the so called Sinhalese Buddhist.
All in all, I am getting the feeling the writer is not exactly a scholar or an expert on the subject but has certain personal and malicious intents behind what and how he writes.
Oh also Dr Kumarakuru Vasanthi , you have gone a tad overboard…
Good article, In short, the main cause of the of the whole issue is the jealousy, the latest classic example is the ban imposed by the Srilankan government on new funded developments in the north east. Any other government in the world would encourage funded projects for the benefit of it’s people, and even if their governments don’t, their citizens will oppose it, but only in Srilanka it never happens, even if one or two opposes it, they will get hammered. This is the plain truth. Venom is successfully injected into minds by highly depressed sick individuals who claims to be the saviors of the race.
25. C64 | ,
Your are confused religion , religious preachings ,and tool of political mahavamsa , and how it was practiced and what was perceived.
Mr. Jayaraj: Commenting in you blog, I have often referred to Mahawamsa as a positive response to other comments or as a part and parcel or to supplement my comment on the subject matter.
Let’s see who is writing myth and who is writing true antiquities.
Leela
DBSJ, compliments of the season to you and the readers.
So there is no hope for sunny Srilanka. We are well entrenched the Mahavamsa mindset that nothing else matters.
This mindset not only guides the Sinhala Budhists but also the Sinhala Christians.
Our nations, brutalized and bloodied can’t go forward with this mindset.
Thank you for sharing the article.
Cheers.
I too believe with the author that the nagas should be tamils. Because the naga theevu, mani naga pallavam, etc are mentioned in the manimekalai.
also there is nagapattinam on the Indian side of the palk strait.
Who are nagas.
There are references to the nagas in Mahabharatha even.
Who are nagas. There are nagas in the nagaland in North Eastern India.
I don’t know the exact answer to these things.
One thing I know is that there is a tradition of worshipping snakes in Tamil Nadu. Nagarajan is a very much worshipped God, in India, Tamil Nadu.
There is Nager Kovil, etc etc in Tamil Nadu.
In most/many of the Amman temples you could find the Naga sannadhi’s.
There is still a tradition of pouring milk into the snake’s pit.
People till today are hesitant to kill a snake.
There is still Naga Panchami celebrated throughout India.
Those who worshipped the Naga could have been called the Nagas.
From this it is clear that there was Hinduism in the island before the advent of budhism.
also the archeological evidence points to the similar culture which existed in both the sides of the palk straits.
I do not see anything new from this article. Almost everything what he has written is already known to the Tamil people. We know that Sri Lanka was known as “Sinhale” only after the 13th century AD after the Kotte/Kandy kingdoms and not during the Anuradapura/Polonaruwa period. We know that the Nagas and Demalas who were worshipping the five ancient Siva temples (Eshwarams) and the katharagama temple were converted into Buddhists by Mahinda Thero. We know that those same Nagas and Demalas later became Sinhalese. We also know that after the Chola invasion, a large number of those same people became Tamils. We also know that after Kalinga Magha, the Jaffna kingdom was formed. His arguments seems to be are very logical/rational. I am sure most of the people who are commenting here have never read the Mahavamsa or the Three pitika.
When there are people like Mathematics Prof. Nalin De Silva who are rewriting the Tamil History through their instincts (without any evidence) as we see in the Island review every week, what is wrong in people like JL Devananda trying to analyze the Mahavamsa and write about it? If you visit the Lankaweb, you will find many such articles about Tamils. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.
DBSJ, we were eagerly waiting for your part 2 (national anthem), but this is also an eye opener for those who are in deep slumber. Even though the writer does not seem to be a professional, there is a lot of information in it with real examples and arguments, a good article for debates but unfortunately most of the comments here do not seem to be scholastic. People are only exhibiting their emotions.
The Hindu God Siva has a snake around his neck. The Hindu God Vishnu is sleeping on a bed of snake.
In the Ramayana times the snake Adhisesha over which the Lord Vishnu sleeps takes birth as Lakshman and comes to the Lanka.
in the Mahabharata the Adhiseshan is born as Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
From all this we come to know that the snake God is worshipped. Also the snakes were worshipped in India.
The Kundalini power is also called the serpent power.
Okay that is philosophical and I don’t want to enter that territory here.
Dilshan
Many a times you are Dil Pasand.
I read and heard that the Maldivian language is linguistically related to the Sinhala language. At the same time there is a considerable number of Buddhist ruins in the Maldives. I think that the writer should give an explanations to above.
So much new Knowledge!, since the publication of LTTE written history of the Sinhala Buddhist, Hindus and Christian seem to know so much about “Buddhism”! . Good job we have a second coming of Mahinda , our saviour.
49. Srilal:
They taught me that Sri Lanka is a blessed country because according to Buddhism, Buddha has visited three times. I also learned from them that it was Buddha who said that the Sinhala prince Vijaya from Sinhapura will go to Lanka and his followers (Sinhalese) will preserve Buddhism for 5000 years. I also learned that it was God Vishnu who will protect the country and the Sinhala people and God Vishnu will become the next Buddha and he will be born in Sri Lanka.
I still believe that this is part of Buddhism and the Buddhists all over the world had the same opinion, but as per this article it is not a part of Buddhist scriptures but a part of Mahavamsa. I am fully confused, can someone tell be if the above is a part of Buddhism or not?
————
Ever heard of Kalama Sutraya?
* Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing,
* nor upon tradition,
* nor upon rumor,
* nor upon what is in a scripture,
* nor upon surmise,
* nor upon an axiom,
* nor upon specious reasoning,
* nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over,
* nor upon another’s seeming ability,
* nor upon the consideration, “The monk is our teacher.”
* Kalamas, when you yourselves know: “These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,” enter on and abide in them.’
Thus, the Buddha provides ten specific sources which should not be used to accept a specific teaching as true, without further verification:
1. Oral history
2. Traditional
3. News sources
4. Scriptures or other official texts
5. Suppositional reasoning
6. Philosophical reasoning
7. Common sense
8. One’s own opinions
9. Authorities or experts
10. One’s own teacher
Instead, the Buddha says, only when one personally knows that a certain teaching is skillful, blameless, praiseworthy, and conducive to happiness, and that it is praised by the wise, should one then accept it as true and practice it.
Hence according to Buddhism the onus of deciding right from wrong is with you and no other. Of course, this requires intelligence and that’s why Buddhism is a doctrine and not a religion as it is commonly perceived.
People understand and appreciate Buddhism at different levels based on their intellectual capacity.
Dear sir,
I’ve been reading your blog for years and I am a big DBSJ fan.However, I can confidently say that publishing this post was your biggest error in recent times.By reading the comments,it is quite clear that this article has many factual errors.I don’t know who this Devananda is but he seems to be a prejudiced and bitter inividual and he has mixed his own political beliefs with the history of the nation.According to him,Sinhala people look like a community that dropped from the sky without any indigenous roots in the island.His assertions that Buddhist kids are exposed to anti-Tamil rhetoric in Dhamma School is not true at all.You may have published this with good intentions,but this sort of anti-sinhala “tamilnet” material would not do any service for reconciliation.
BTW,most sinhalese have never read the mahawansa and they don’t consider it as part of their religion.And there were Buddhists before Ven.Mahinda’s arrival.Queen Baddakachchayana,who was Buddha’s cousin migrated to the island way before Ven.Mahinda’s trip.I don’t know much about history but just like many sinhalese we don’t live in any mindset and we are more than welcoming to accept and respect minorities as equal citizens of the country.
But we are 80% of the country (eventhough we fell from the sky) and you are less than 20% (with all the indentured labourers added).You lost your big eelam war and some of you have fled the country or living in govt. run refugee camps.You are not in a position of advantage and this kind of attitude can provoke hardline sinhala elements.In such a case,who is going to suffer? The answer is Tamils will suffer.Then why are you still pursuing the same path knowing very well that you are going to suffer another mullivaikaal!
I hope your “comment” is not a “threat”? …………DBSJ
As this author says, (also according to Prof. Indrapala) it was the Europeans who first misinterpreted the Mahavamsa and believed that Sinhalese were Aryans and labelled the early Sanskrit language (sacred language of the Hindus) as early Sinhala. All those ancient cave writings and stone inscriptions written in the Brahmi script were in the Sanskrit language. Paranawithna who was a highly Sinhala biased researcher also accepted what the European so called ‘Scholars’ said.
Dr. Paranvitana was Sinhala biased or he was trying to please the authorities/majority in order to earn his daily bread, he misinterpreted the history in favour of the Sinhalese. All the present day historians know that his research was biased. Prof. K. Indrapala in his book “The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity” has written a chapter called Paranvitana Factor in which he mentions a lot of young Sinhala historians who discovered Paranvitana’s interpretations were Sinhala biased.
Sinhala language (also called Elu or Helu) originated only after the 7th Century AD and first appeared only in the 8th Century AD Sigiri mirror wall. Can anyone show any Elu/Helu/Sinhala literary work before the 7th Century AD? Even the author of the above article is challenging to prove using any archaeological evidence the presence of the word Hela/Sihala/Sinhala before the Deepawamsa/Mahavamsa was written.
Why not someone find some evidence instead of bashing the author?
All these days people like Nalin de Silva, Ellawela Thero, Susantha Goonetilleka,Gunadasa Amarasekera etc write and speak bullshit history insulting Tamil people and denying their rightful place in Lanka history
Writers like Gavin,Navin, Leela, Diyasena, Bunker rat etc come and post stupid comments with wrong history insulting Tamils on this blog
Now Mr.Jeyaraj has posted this article by a third party that is like an antitode to the racist anti-Tamil poison of the Sinhala supremacists
Instead of replying the points logically they are simply attacking the writer and Mr.Jeyaraj
I seriously doubt whether any of these Sinhala racists have read the Mahavamsa or understood what the writer means by Mahavamsa mindset?
Good for you MR.Jeyaraj to post this article boldly. Just as you withstand Tamil racists on this blog please withstand the Sinhala racists also
Having only a fleeting knowledge, and of course an interest of the same magnitude, in the subject I am in no position to segregate fact from fiction. And until the info age (pretty much till the youtube generation) history is what the mighty and/or the victors wrote (remember the Gulf wars). And when you put religion and mythology in the mix we get into the realm of fairy tales.
Assuming for arguments sake that the Sinhalese have their roots in North/East India and the Tamils have theirs in the South isn’t it so damn ironic that the OTHER descendants of those ancient cultures the present day Indians in the North/East and the South live in peace and harmony with each other while their cousins in Lanka are at each others’ throats.
Strange that on one side we have the lion flag while on the other there is the tiger one yet both animals are as foreign to Sri Lanka as Kangaroos.
[...] Jeyaraj highlights J.L. Devananda's take on political Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Devananda opines: “due to the [...]
DBJ,
Thanks for publishing,
How ever, the writer has not done enough research on some of his statements hence has no value at all.
I have studied in one of the Buddhist school until I enter to University and We have not been taught to hate Tamils at all hence I have Tamil relatives and friends some are even better. We have learned Pannambalam Ramadhana and Arunachalam as our national leaders and heroes.
How ever, after British left Tamil elite groups and Sinhala Elite groups fight for the power. But Victims are not them, innocent Tamils and innocents Sinhala who lived years in harmony. For instance though Tamils thinks in 1956 Sinhala became powerful because of Bandaranaike, but the truth is his grandfather is Indian Tamil, not Sinhala Buddhist. Even JRs grandfather is Indian . His full name start with TM JR.
How ever from both ends ( Tamil and Sinhala) politicians always bring this issues since they need power. (rem: all over the world, It is same in this instance)
So Please never bring conflict again between these people while you are living out side country while having good life.
Jesus said “ Blessed are the peacemakers” Buddha said “ hatred never can be won by hatred” Patanjali said “ Chitta Writi Nirodha”
For the writer “ If your intention is arouse hatred, you have your reward as Bible says” . Not only that, as the Buddha said you cannot hide from the results of your Kamma.
I always ask Tamil Elite Groups to Enjoy your life rather than destroying innocent Tamils (mostly Hindus) for political cause.
Note : To me writer has not written analytical article as some comments say in here, Since he has not enough facts to prove what he says is right but he will get a good Bang from the Tamil Eelite group who lost their hope.
DBJ : please ask the writer to give the Bibliography. Please ask him to read Patanjali yoga Suttra and Siva Suttra before writing something like this. Please…………………………………
Mr. Devananda started his write-up saying; Thailand, Cambodia and other Theravada countries practice Tripitaka whereas the Sinhala Buddhists practice ‘Mahawamsa’. This is utter nonsense. He should know that all Theravada Buddhists follow same dhamma which is in Tripitaka. There are 35 books in Sutra pitaka, 9 books in vinaya pitaka and 13 books in Abhidhamma pitaka. It must be emphasized that Buddha had said he is not a God or a messenger of God. Hence, none of the above books carry the word of God.
Thereafter, Devananda tries to render ‘Mahawamsa’ in a most confusing manner. On the one hand he says Sinhala Buddhists follow ‘Mahawamsa’ as a part of the Buddhist scriptures. Let me tell him in short that Tripitaka is Buddha dhamma where as Mahawamsa is the chronicles of Sri Lanka. If Devananda doesn’t know that, either he is an ignorant or a downright liar.
Now, let me add that not many lay people would have the time to read all the volumes of Tripitaka. So it is a tradition that whenever monks preach (bana) to followers (upasakas and upasikas) they refer to relevant sections of Tripitaka to compliment their preaching. So, Devananda saying, since Tripitaka is written in Pali and Buddhist lay person understand it they have to accept “everything that the Buddhist monks preach” is just diabolical.
Just like the Bible is available in English and many other language Tripitaka is also available in Sinhala as well as few other languages. Anyone can buy a set for Rs.40,000/- from Buddhist Cultural Centre, 125, Anderson Road, Nedimala, Dehiwala. e-mail. bcc456@sltnet.lk copy from any good bookshop.
I shall reply to all other Davananda’s insinuations later on as and when I get time.
Leela
Srilal:
Every country has unique religious history, and in Catholicism and Christianity, even Saints unique to their country. For example every South American country has unique historical figures, saints and events that does not appear in the Bible. This does not make them untrue This is normal when we are talking about thousands of years of history. Whether what you learned does or doesn’t appear in the Tipitaka doesn’t make it untrue.
Also remember that Tipitaka consists entirely of Ven. Ananda’s recollections. As Ven Ananda did not arrive with the Buddha to Sri Lanka, Buddha came super-naturally (Irdiyen) and Ven Ananda did not attain anything until after Buddha’s death, so Ven. Ananda was not present during these visits. The only way it could have made it into the Tipitaka is if Buddha told Ven. Ananda about them. Also, even if Ven Ananda was told, it is likely, probable and logical that all of Buddha’s sermons, visits and encounters did not make it into the Tipitaka. If it did, considering He lived and preached for 45 years after attaining Enlightenment, and that he only slept 4 hours a night, dedicating 20 hours to helping people, we should have a Tipitaka at least 10-times its present length. So the absence from the Tipitaka does not necessarily mean they did not happen. These events are Sri Lankan Buddhist history. If one doubts the Mahavamsa, then once can easily doubt the Tipitaka, the Bagavat Geeta, the Bible, the Quaran, and any other historical (non-religious) documents as well. At some point, we have to decide if we believe history or not, for we were not there for any of these events. No one was. Matters are also complicated for Buddhists by the difficulty of access, and the ability to read the entire Tipitaka. It is easy to read the entire Bible or the Quran, I’ve read both, but even though a Buddhist, I’ve not read the entire Tipitaka, I’m slowly making my way through it. Why don’t you also start? Buy the Majjhima Nikaya (The Middle Length Discourses) from Amazon, both the Sinhala and English versions are available.
Unlike reading the Bible or the Quran, reading the Tipitaka is an immense task, because of the huge volume of works. It is said that the entire works would occupy at least five linear square feet of shelf space, but more likely 8-10 feet in normal font size. Some sections are also very hard to come by and are only available in Pali, so at some point one would have to learn Pali to complete reading the Tipitaka. I’ve also started learn Pali to this end.
Who knows, right now we are accepting it as a fact when this writer says these events do not appear in the Tipitaka, because we haven’t read the entire Tipitaka, I’m sure this writer has not either, in fact I’ll be prepared wager that he or she has not. There are very few people who’ve read the entire Tipitaka, mostly scholar monks. Who knows, we might discover these events do appear in one of the lesser known (i.e. lesser translated volumes) after all. To me, even if it doesn’t appear in the Tipitaka, that doesn’t make me doubt that Buddha came to Sri Lanka three times. If I do doubt that history, which is clearly written in Sri Lankan history, then I’ll have to doubt the Tipitaka itself as well, which was also written in Sri Lanka. And Christians should start doubting the Bible, and Muslims the Quran and so on.. After all, it is all history.
It is interesting that both the Tipitaka and the Mahavamsa were written in Sri Lanka by the racist Sinhala-Buddhists as this writer calls us, but he or she is willing to accept the Tipitaka but not the Mahavamsa. After all it was the same racist people who wrote both, why accept one and not the other?
Rajasingham Narendran:
Red Indians is a derogatory and offensive term. The correct form is Native Americans. They find both the word “Red” and the word “Indian” offensive. Red was used because they were not white, and in a derogatory way, and “Indian” because they initially thought they landed in India–they were looking for India. Then they continued to call the Native Americans Indians because simply, they looked like Indians to them, and they couldn’t care less who they really were. For these reasons, Red Indians or American Indians or Indians are all derogatory terms to the Native American people. Sadly, people still continue to use them intentionally or out of ignorance.
The Buddha and His Teaching by Narada is best book one could find to learn about Therawada Buddhism. And Ven Narada is perhaps the best known Sinhlala Buddhist missionary in the recent times. You can read it in the internet. I challenge J.L. Devananda to show us one word about ‘Mahawamsa’ or ‘Tamil’ in it.
I’ll write more with facts on this erroneous article as time permits.
Leela
Dear DBSJ,
Wishing you a happy holiday season.
However, I am disappointed by this 3rd party article which you decided to publish on your website. Yes, you are only the messenger, but the BS in article is not going to be of any help to any Sri Lankan.
So what is the message you wanted to convey?
Proud Sri Lankans are aware that stateless Tamil Terrorist Diaspora (TTD) is urgently in need of a country of their own. The weakest link to break open the borders to the Tamil Elaam had been Sri Lanka, but due to the spectacular, total decimation of the Tamil terrorists (the proxy of TTD), new ideas, theories and methods are hard to come by to score the Elaam goal.
This is why Sri Lankans have to:
a) keep both eyes open
b) SriLankanize entire NE without fear
c) erase any remaining traces of historical, proverbial and ancestral
Tamil homeland
d) shift headquarters of army, navy and air force to key strategic areas
in NE
e) last but not least, let us invent new methods and systems to
dividethe TTD into small groups and reward them when they kill each
other.
Sri Lankans need to be vigilant 24/7. Let’s not forget the lessons we learned from a fat pig called Velu.
Regards.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Thank you for your wishes and wish you the same
My reasons for posting this article are outlined in my introduction
I am tired of readers discussing issues irrelevant to the article concerned in a pseudo-academic manner. I do hope all those “scholars” will use this forum to air their views and engage in constructive discussion on those issues here. Let them “discuss,defend and debate” to their heart’s content here
But thereafter I hope they will not post these types of comments to articles on other subjects
By the way I do hope you will understand what many Tamils feel when some people post hurtful comments about history and mythology and religion from a “Sinhala” slant on this site
I very much doubt that this article will create any healthy discussion in this forum. Anyway, I would like to add few more lines since I took time to read it.
In my opinion Mahawamsa is not the gospel truth. And so is this article. This article is written with vested interest and it’s not convincing at all.
I have attended the Sunday School in the village temple. As a fact I know, we were never taught to any pages from Mahawanmsa. We were never taught to hate Tamils.We were taught only about Buddha’s life and his teachings. We were never taught history there.
Writer has twisted the an information about Prof. Paranavithana. He has never said that ” Buddha never visited Sri Lanka”. All what he had said was that there were no archeological evidence to prove that Buddha visited the island.
Why malign the religion and the scriptures of the sinhalese. Where did LTTE learn about suicide bombing ? from the suicide squads in Mahabharata or from Kannagi who killed herself and the whole of Madurai for an incompetent and adultrous husband, Ridiculous!
Most religions have including Christianity and Islam have been spread by creative saints who ensured that the lives of their heroes are wrapped in myths.
The crucification of christ was used to spread anti semitism by painting the jewish elders in bad light while giving a clean chit to the roman governor and the satanic verses to promote iconoclasm and the repeated loot of somnath.
Dont know why only the Mahavamsa has to be targeted.
[...] Jeyaraj highlights J.L. Devananda's take on political Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Devananda opines: “due to the [...]
Thanks Devanada and DBS. It is timely article while the Sinhala propaganda machine is getting momentum and portraying Tamils as “coolies” from south India.
I have seen this in lot of blogs and international media arguing and comparing with recent migration of Tamils to western countries can also pose the same kind of right issues in their new arrived countries.
If we don’t enlighten the IC and our own people about our rights and belonging in the island of “Ealom”, we will simply loose our identity to this false and twisted third-class propaganda waged by the Sinhala “mahavamsa” minded people.
I can’t simply understand the comments and threats made by some elements “go to Tamil nadu”, “coolies” and ect.
I hope, this kind of tendency will change at least in this blog.
*****History or wrong interpretations of history along with strongly believed mythology has played and continues to play a very significant role in contemporary politics. I hope the discussion would shed more light than heat.*****
Even after DBSJ has mentioned the above, except for one or two good replies all others are very much below the expected standards. I am not in favour of this author but still I cannot see anybody coming up with any strong arguments to counter the points raised by the author.
In Sinhala we say “Kshanika Mochanaya” (premature ejaculation), I see most of the members commenting here even before reading the article properly.
I see 50 comments here, so let me take the last comment written by Dilshan F.
*****Having summed up my being here your Author seems to think that the Sinhalese just dropped from the sky and became the largest ethnic group.*****
If Dilshan had read the article properly, he would not have had “Kshanika Mochanaya”. The author has mentioned how the Sinhala race was formed in Sri Lanka and how the Sinhalese became a majority. What he said is right or wrong is a different matter but the author does not think that the Sinhalese were just dropped from the sky.
Oh dear, when I finished writing this the comments have gone up to 91.
Another hilarious part is, one confused member has asked a question if Buddha’s 3 visits is part of Buddhist scriptures (3 pitaka) or Mahavamsa and insted of giving him a straight forward answer that it is from the Mahavamsa, another member goes on writing about Kalama Sutraya confusing him even further.
OK, let me see what our famous lady Leela is saying.
*****Mr. Devananda started his write-up saying; Thailand, Cambodia and other Theravada countries practice Tripitaka whereas the Sinhala Buddhists practice ‘Mahawamsa’. This is utter nonsense. He should know that all Theravada Buddhists follow same dhamma which is in Tripitaka*****
Oh dear, just by reading her first sentence it is clear that even she seems to be having “Kshanika Mochanaya”.
Let me see what the author has said,
*****The Buddhists in these countries follow only the Buddhist scriptures Tripitaka (Viniya, Sutta, Abhidhamma), whereas in Sri Lanka the ‘Mahavamsa,’ which was written by one of the Mahavihara monks (Ven. Mahanama) more than 1000 years after the passing away of Lord Buddha is also considered as a part of the Buddhist scriptures,*****
From the above what I understand is the author is saying, in Sri Lanka the Buddhists follow both Tipitaka and Mahavamsa (not just Mahavamsa alone).
What I deduce from all these comments is that, some people have not read the article properly, some people have not understood it, and some people have totally misunderstood it.
The worst part is, instead of debating in a scholastic manner (the only purpose why it is published here) most of them are blaming either the author or DBSJ and trying to put him in an embarrassing situation for publishing it.
“
15. Chinthaka |
“I guess both Sinhalese and Tamils should give up their racist mindsets if we’re to see a peaceful Sri Lanka.” Your words does not seems to translate in to deeds. History is not what some one believes or made to believe it should be truly what happened!
17. Cheena,
You are trying to bluff with out coming out of your Mahavamsa mindset!!
18. Rana |
Are trying to call the white van to JLD.
30,Navin
“If Nagas didn’t become Sinhalese, what became of them? Did they become Tamils? Then, who became Sinhalese? Tamils? What is it that define a tribe as been Sinhalese?”
The people who dream of killing and extinct Tamils from the island of Srilanka is the true tribe of Sinhala!
34. Lankan |,
You are one example of brain washed Kid of Mahavamsa
Ambalangoda Man
“I am a Sinhala Buddhist. But I don’t care the history of all this. What I don’t want it to break up my country based on some false racist concept”
This racist concept is in your mind set that is what the author is requesting you to remove.
43. Tissa |
You are absolutely right , the reson why LTTE the terrorist were borne?
That is what the people have to think hard !!!!!!
To be honest the sort of history we learnt about Sri Lanka in late 70′s had enough hostile references to tamils and their origin in SL. Therefore I strongly believe that way of teachings did a good part for tamils facing discrimination then and LTTE and other group’s emergence (this is about 70 decade).
‘Hedi demala’, ‘para demala’ sort of uncivilised name callings were what planted in out heads those days (late 70′s and start of 80′s) and being 12 yrs old in 1983 riots I actually thought what they did in south was correct as it appeared to be the continuation of Dutugamunu-Elara what we have been preached.
At the same time, it cannot be underestimated how some upper caste tamils lived in colombo had seriously offended sinhalese majority around them with their indifferent discriminative behaviour to all races. It was fine for lower caste tamils as they were used to it, but not for sinhalese who were not ready to be second class citizens among their own majority atleast for a moment.
The way the history was taught in schools those days is absolutely wrong; the way some people act and get heated upon history unknown or not verified is also a joke; We should live on present; Most of the injustices happened to tamils in those days are no more; Sri Lankan society is not anymore primitive like in those days. The argument about history is good for scholars/researchers, not for ordinary people like us as it may drive only nuts with lack of confirmed info.
Comment 55 Nimal.
There is historical evidence that People traveled to different parts of Srilanka even before the Roman Empire.
India which is so close to Srilanka even today could have been accessed easily..
Whether Buddha came by Boat or Plane is immaterial.
All religions have mythological beliefs and, the people who follow these religions do not challange these beliefs regardless of how educated and how powerful they are in their societies.
Obviously living on a foreign land you should know that well if you have a non ignorant brain.
The Buddha would teach Dhamma to anybody regardless whether they were Sakya clan or anyone else, and anyone was capable of understanding Dhamma if their kamma or understanding was good, so the race aspect of Sinhala culture etc is irrelevant ! whether they are descendents of North Indian tribes or not.
Dear Sinhala,brothers,sisters,cousins,relatives if as you say majority of You were taught at Sunday schools not to hate other relious people,races/Tamils etc how did ,1958, 1961,1977,1983 happened or allowed to happen, how did racist Sinhala politicians were able to win democraticaly and form governments and pass discriminatory laws and raise send occupying 99%Sinhala army to north and east since 1960s? or Even before V.P and LTTE were borne.
Oh dear, I missed the most hilarious one,
Ananda thero is the closest disciple of Buddha, and if you read the scriptures, in every nikaya Buddha addresses to Ananda thero who was always with him.
One member is saying, Buddha has visited Lanka without the knowledge of Amanda thero and that is why it is not mentioned in the scriptures. Now, why would Buddha do that? Do you think Buddha will go to some place secretly without the knowledge of his closest disciple? Why? I cannot see any reason for Buddha to do that.
With all our advanced communication facilities we are still unable to find out what is exactly happening currently in the other part of the world.
How could you expect a monk who had only some knowledge of Buddha’s teachings to write on something which had happened thousands of years ago?
How could he say that this country, which was connected to southern India by a shallow sea, was not occupied by the southern people but by some people traveled far from north through the deep sea?
[...] Jeyaraj highlights J.L. Devananda's take on political Buddhism in Sri [...]
Mahavamsa Mythology
It is said in MAHAVAMSA CHAPTER VII – THE CONSECRATING OF VIJAYA,
**But the king Sihabahu, since he had slain the lion (was called) Sihala and, by reason of the ties between him and them, all those (followers of VIJAYA) were also (called) Sihala.**
If Sihabahu whose father had slain the lion was called Sihala and his eldest son Vijaya and his followers were also called Sihala, then what about Vijaya’s twin brother Sumitta and his followers in Sinhapura, India? Why they were not called Sihala? That itself proves that Vijaya and the Sinhala race was a creation of Ven. Mahanama and the Mahavihara monks.
————
Vijaya is a legendary character. Trying to prove that he existed or that he did not existed is a futile endeavor. I don’t expect that from any serious academic. It is however a different matter to present alternative perspectives. What the author is doing above is not that. He is just interested in ridiculing Mahavansa and more so insulting Sinhalese history.
———-
Just around ten lines/verses in the Pali chronicle Deepavamsa about the Elara/Dutugemunu was blown up into 11 chapters in the Mahavamsa just to glorify Buddhism and the Buddhist kings against the Hindus which gave birth to “superior race”, “Bhoomiputhra (sons of the soil)”, “Sinhaladivpa” “unitary state” and “Dhammadivpa” theories.
————
I don’t understand what’s the big deal behind Mahavansa glorifying Buddhism over Hinduism. For starters I don’t know to what extent it does so for I have not read Mahavansa and have no interest in doing so either. This however does not mean I have no respect for the book. Its a valuable text and has its merits and demerits. I learnt my history in school and we were taught what was extracted by scholars from different sources including Mahavansa. Knowledge about history like all other subjects evolves. However, when knowledge evolves it happens with properly reasoning and not by hearsay. For starters, I never learnt anything in school that makes me believe Sinhalese Buddhists were barbarians or glorified killing Tamils or Hindu’s.
I can understand why a monk so many centuries ago would glorifying Buddhism over Hinduism but I cannot understand why a purported academic of present day look down upon thousands of years of Sinhalese-Buddhist civilization! For starters the tile of this article is as it appears somewhere else is “Barbaric Sinhala-Buddhism to Civilized Buddhism“. Isn’t this an exaggeration of even worst kind? For a guy who finds fault with a monk for glorifying Buddhism some thousands of years ago, author should certainly refrain from committing the same mistake 1000 years later! Otherwise he is worst than the monk!
Independent of above, people should understand the Elara was an invader. He was a south Indian. Not even a Sri Lankan Tamil. He was defeated by Dutugamunu. Hell, if are not to glorifying that, what else are we to glorifying? Pongu Tamil?
——————–
The Mahavamsa author being a Buddhist monk and justifying the killing of around sixty thousand Tamils/Hindus (aka invaders) by Dutugemunu is one reason why others (non-Buddhists) think that Sinhala-Buddhism is somewhat of a violent barbaric form of Buddhism where killing Tamils is justified. The killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka by the Sinhala-Buddhists even today is due to this uncivilized and barbaric ehhno-religion known as Sinhala-Buddhism (or Mahavamsa-Buddhism).
———
Buddhism is a doctrine for intelligent to appreciate, understand, verify and practice. What Ven. Mahanama or someone else says about Buddhism is not gospel of truth. It is people with low level of intellect that takes something said by someone as Buddhism and practice it with belief that it is Buddhism. Its is also the same kind of people who takes something said by someone and presents it to others as Buddhism. Hence, we can understand very well, the intellectual capacity and knowledge of this writer.
Independent of that, associating Barbarism with Buddhism is just a load of tosh. Can we also associate, Barbarism with Hinduism because of what VP did to people living in border villages or scarifying animals in large numbers very recently by Kali worshipers? What this shows is this writer is incapable of differentiating between a religion as practiced by a population and actions of individuals. No scholar would make this sort mistakes.
—————-
There is a clear record of all the main events of Buddha, the places he visited, with whom he was, where and what he preached and to whom he preached, in the Buddhist scriptures Tripitika, but nowhere it is mentioned that the Buddha visited or even spoke about the island of Lanka. In order to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka from those powerful South Indian Hindu kingdoms, Ven. Mahanama wrote the Mahavamsa, by added his own imaginations and myths. He has introduced many events concerning Buddha which never took place, things that Buddha has never said or done, events which are not mentioned in any of the Buddhist scriptures (both Theravada and Mahayana).
———–
Just because Tripitaka doesn’t mention about Buddha’s visits to Sri Lanka is it concrete proof that he didn’t visit the island? Before talking about that do we even have any kind of proof about what Tripitaka does say about places visited by Buddha and what he said to have done in those visits? For the author however, this is proof enough for another go at Ven. Mahanama! This is not any kind of academic writing but just plain baloney. Good for the consumption of the likes of ISS and Mahesh (for different reasons) but serves no other purpose.
Furthermore, I couldn’t find anything about this writer’s background on the net. Which leads me to suspect that Devananda is a pseudonym. I have nothing against someone presenting controversial views assuming a pseudonym. But whatever he presents must make sense and be with good cause.
Colombo’s Archeology department intrudes into historic Hindu temple in Batticaloa
Colombo’s Archeology Department officials, who have been frequently intruding into several century old Hindu temple of Thaanthaamalai Sri Murukan in Batticaloa, 10 days ago warned the devotees and the members of the temple management while they were attending a pooja, not to enter the shrine in future for any reason. Thereafter they took management committee members to the Ampaa’rai police station. The temple, revered by Saivaites in the East as ‘Chinna Kathirkaamam’ and the land in the extent of 25 acres that comes under Paddippazhai DS division in Batticaloa district was declared in 13 March 1959 as Saiva Sacred Area according to the decree entered by the Court of Law, temple sources said.
See what the Sinhala who were taught not to hate any religion,race,or even plants are doing.
99. Chinthaka ,
so what is your proposal for future ? forget about every thing and let us assimilate all Tamils in to Buddhist Sinhala as Srilankan!
Does any of you know what Jackson Anthony tried doing with his “Mahaa sanchaaraya”….. This clip is one of many from his Maha sanchaaraya with historical information.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQG87KHctvA
100. Kalu Albert ,
Before the peralayam (the big tsunamy) not the one we all witnesed few years ago Indian land mass and Srilanka was one coninent called cumari kandam part of the land mass were submerged and srilanka lost its land connection with india
DBSJ
You are very sensitive to others needs. You brought out this article in the festive season with all the liquor and good cheer flowing because you felt that there is a need to have an outlet for pentup pressure. Thanks to you many have while running around from party to party and swigging and munching and admiring the opposite sex in their finest attire, but unable to have a quikie because of traditional prying eyes and inquisitive natute of our srilankans who even while eating drinking and merrymaking are watching the others trying to flirt through the corner of their eyes, are only getting more and more aroused during this season but unable to get relief, but due to your discerning qualities in putting out this article at the correct time are able to achieve at least “Kshanika Mochanaya”.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Shankar
“Ellorum Inbutrirukka Venduvathandri Verondrariyom Paraparame” (we know nothing other than desiring the happiness of all)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6_HXFHc8hk
Mahaa sanchaaraya – Kudiramalei point.. where Vijaya believed to had landed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raqkyXB4j0
Devananda’s says; there is no proof that Buddha has visited Sri Lanka. He forgets that there are many realities that don’t fit in to modern science. He is arguing in line with the thinking of the westerners. Anything that doesn’t fit in to their logic is deemed to be wrong only if it is in their perception.
How about this: Mathew 2:2, 7 and 10 says that Star of Bethlehem that lit for just one day led the wise men to the place of nativity (Jesus’ birth). Yet, modern astronomers are positive that there was no such star at the time. Even Halley’s Comet that we sight every 76 years returned more than ten years too early, so they say.
Moreover, the famous English Astronomer Patrick Moore reject there had been a star at the time. He says: “It is not likely that the star could have been a nova or supernova as nothing of the sort was mentioned by contemporary astronomers. In any case a star of that sort would remain visible for many nights.” There could not have been one night star spectacle on that day because Moore further says; “Unfortunately it has now been shown that no bright conjunctions were visible from the holy land at this time, and the idea is definitely untenable.”
Just because Moore and other astronomers say there was no star would Christians accept no birth of Jesus? No. Christians believe Jesus is historical. So, Paranawithana’s arguments are worse. I say, if Jesus was born so was Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka.
I’ll come up with more facts later on against his theories.
Leela
Just an article by this certain ding-dong;
This person is educated in the british raj authorised version of the history of the subcontinent and the science of genetics is unknown to him. He seems to know nothing about the Rama invasion and hanuman reducing lanka to ashes. He seems to have many invasions, acts of genocide and many other attempts on lanka by tamil monarchs. Prince Vijaya married first the lankan queen Kuveni then queens from madhurai, Tamil Nadu. But this Tamil inclusion appears was and is not enough. Modern genetical analysys points to the mixed ethnicity of Sinhalas to 25%, Tamis to 15%, Bengal in north India to 20% and Rajastanis to a mere 3%. Shows these racists love to discredit other Indians and Sri Lankans. Tamil madras regiment was also the first regiment used by the British in the colonizing proces. This started with Robert Clive and his Tamil sepoys killing Thippu Sultan and then the Hindu Maratha Federation. The above mentioned British and Tamil versions created were of mutual benefit to them in both SL and India. Archaeological evidence of Mohenjedaro and Harrappa point the demise of the urban culture to drought and economic conditions, pointing no evidence to mass invasion or war. The oldest Hindu Vedic scripts states ‘They came through the broad streats…’ and not ‘We came…’, the mindset of a native not an invading force. India has been invaded by aryan/european tribes, mongols, afgans, greeks, moughals, british and many others. This does not make Indians or north Indians Europeans or any other kind as you try to show. Genetical, archaeological, technological and historical evidence of the decendants of the people of the Indus valley are in the surrounding areas, not thousands of miles south in Tamil-Nadu as you may wish. Not only people, even architecture and technology is still in use in places close to the indus valley today, like the fishing boats in Pakistan and Punjab. The original tribes in India constitute 8% of the present Indian population. The vast majority of them in the remote central India(mdhya pradesh), however comprising only about 10% of the state population. North-eastern India comprises about a third of the population comprising upto 80% of the population in some states, and less than 1% in Tamil-Nadu. This clears ‘the Myth of the Innocent Tamil’.
The most violent anti-Buddist movement in the sub-continent was witnessed in Tami-Nadu, famed for its 400 decapitated Buddha statues and destruction of monastries, compairable to the Taliban in our era. Like the assimilation to modern western life, language and culture by us do not make us ethnic English, American or Japanese, the assimilation of native lankans to Buddhism, agro-engineering and culture of the then thriving urban centers of north India does not make us (solely) Indian.
Even Tamil writing, like Sanskrit have common Brahmi origins. Pallava civilization of that period was heavily influenced in a simillar manner to like that of Sri Lanka. So stop trying to discredit Sri Lankans and Indians. (imagine Bramha and do kuppa !).
With the Portugese general ricardo d’souza it was a wanni tamil army that came to rob the nation.
About language and culture; why is there then a higher proportion of christians among the tamils, especially the wanni tiger faction?
How come all of ancient Sri Lankan engineering, culture and artitecture including those of the north are not Tamil and Hindu, but mainly Buddist?
How come they are destroyed?
How come 400 decapitated Budha statues and monastries destroyed in Tamil Nadu?
Good you highllihted the religion issue, now you know racism is embedded in you and the reason for you to hate Buddists
Weera Kappatipolla and Weera Puran Appu fought for the entrie country. Lewke nilame fought the Dutch sucessfuly to liberate and the free distribution of salt for everybody including Tamils. Leaders of the Ceylon National Congress and the National Association and LSSPers spoke and did for the whole nation including Tamils. Tamil helpers to the British government then were also respected (perhaps unwisely) by Sinhalese, Muslims and others. It was with Sinhala votes that Ponnambalam came to office. Some chose him over Sinhala candidates like sir Marcus Fernando. Building of many institutions including the jaffna library and St. Johns Jaffna had many Sinhala benafactors. Many of these happened even before Ponnambalam was in his mothers womb. So dont forget, be racist or ungrateful..!..
Tamils in Tamil-Nadu, Tamils only in Tamil Eelaam, and the vast majority of Sri Lankan/Eelam Tamils in the republic of Sri Lanka, so what seems to be the problem?
In that case others should also have one.
The Sihala decends from the Vadda, we share the same liniage and ancestory, Yes we value and exagerate our northern liniage, but that is a big part of our culture and civilization. We idealized Patliputtra, Asokan era, built the worlds largest reservoirs up untill the last century, were the first to put Buddism into writing (originally in Sinhala then translated to Pali, why do you think that ??), now we are the last/only surviving Buddist kingdom in the subcontinent. Even some Tamils like to be ‘fair and lovely’. The irony is by even your fabrication your fascists have no Native blood!!!!!!!
Yes, throughout our history from time to time foreigners have made inroads to settle in areas where there was no previous settlement. This was especially true during the last 500 years when the Sri Lankans had no control of the island under the portugese, Dutch and British. It was not just divede and rule, but mercinaries, genocide and colonization having a serious impact on the population demography and territorial integrity!
The survival of our motherland, culture and people has always been threatened with communalism. This is our only homeland, on top of that people are able and willing to share even with communalists and must be appreciated!
Till recently we did not have the right to go any where in our only motherland, it was just the right of these inbred communalists! Now we have to explain our existance in our only homeland !!
All this because Tamil language is used in official documentation like passports, birth certificates and other pulic use, the present education provided in Tamil!
I dont have to remind you that a high proportion of Buddists worship the many Hindu gods. Practically how many Tamils worship the Buddha?
Tamils also have Sinhala blood, eastern Tamils even names and traditions. Chola genocide and tami expansion could not fully eradicate.
How come you fellows never blame the fascist tigers, their ethnic-cleansing, mono-ehnic ideology, child-soldiering terrorism?
This time they also tried with monoethnic ideolgy, aptly titled; nazi peelaam, ethnic cleansing, genocide of also Muslims, women abusing, child abducting, suicide bums and baby army…..,but failed!
Good overcomes evil.
Historical genocide of Sri Lankans runs to many millions over many thousands of years and that is the pride and herritage of the wanni fascists.
Ramas to ellalas, rajas to raja adi rajas to madras sepoys.
Tamil-expansion : Saintly innocence!
When will we be not blamed for being the majority in our only homeland?
When will we be free to walk all-over our island, is it just the right of minorities and soldiers?
The Temple of the Tooth bomb, is one such example of the historical hatred towards the Buddists and crimes against the worlds oldest Buddist kingdom! speaks volumes about the long line of anti-Buddist, mono-ethnic, fascist-Tamil ideology! (These sites may attract evil-eelam and Tamil-terrorist tourists!). Throughout our history our religion and people have been persecuted by anti-Buddist, mono-eccentric Tamils, our history written in blood. Ramas, ellalas, rajas, raja adi raja, hanumans, madras sepoys, vps…………………
Unlike ethnocentric Tamils many Buddists worship even Hindu gods. When will we ever be appreciated? When will we be not blamed for being the majority in our only homeland?
When will all Sri lankans be free to walk all-over our island or be free from having to explain our survival, our existance, our cultural/religious background our self determination?
Tamils in Tamil-Nadu, Tamils in Tamil-only eelam, tamils in the republic of Sri lanka.
So What seems to be the probblem?
If so others should also have one!
will be cont…………….
Just an article by this certain ding-dong;
This person is educated in the british raj authorised version of the history of the subcontinent and the science of genetics is unknown to him. He seems to know nothing about the Rama invasion and hanuman reducing lanka to ashes. He seems to have missed many invasions, acts of genocide and many other attempts on lanka by tamil monarchs. Prince Vijaya married first the lankan queen Kuveni then queens from madhurai, Tamil Nadu. But this Tamil inclusion appears was and is not enough. Modern genetical analysys points to the mixed ethnicity of Sinhalas to 25%, Tamis to 15%, Bengal in north India to 20% and Rajastanis to a mere 3%. Shows these racists love to discredit other Indians and Sri Lankans. Tamil madras regiment was also the first regiment used by the British in the colonizing proces. This started with Robert Clive and his Tamil sepoys killing Thippu Sultan and then the Hindu Maratha Federation. The above mentioned British and Tamil versions created were of mutual benefit to them in both SL and India. Archaeological evidence of Mohenjedaro and Harrappa point the demise of the urban culture to drought and economic conditions, pointing no evidence to mass invasion or war. The oldest Hindu Vedic scripts states ‘They came through the broad streats…’ and not ‘We came…’, the mindset of a native not an invading force. India has been invaded by aryan/european tribes, mongols, afgans, greeks, moughals, british and many others. This does not make Indians or north Indians Europeans or any other kind as you try to show. Genetical, archaeological, technological and historical evidence of the decendants of the people of the Indus valley are in the surrounding areas, not thousands of miles south in Tamil-Nadu as you may wish. Not only people, even architecture and technology is still in use in places close to the indus valley today, like the fishing boats in Pakistan and Punjab. The original tribes in India constitute 8% of the present Indian population. The vast majority of them in the remote central India(mdhya pradesh), however comprising only about 10% of the state population. North-eastern India comprises about a third of the population comprising upto 80% of the population in some states, and less than 1% in Tamil-Nadu. This clears ‘the Myth of the Innocent Tamil’.
The most violent anti-Buddist movement in the sub-continent was witnessed in Tami-Nadu, famed for its 400 decapitated Buddha statues and destruction of monastries, compairable to the Taliban in our era. Like the assimilation to modern western life, language and culture by us do not make us ethnic English, American or Japanese, the assimilation of native lankans to Buddhism, agro-engineering and culture of the then thriving urban centers of north India does not make us (solely) Indian.
Even Tamil writing, like Sanskrit have common Brahmi origins. Pallava civilization of that period was heavily influenced in a simillar manner to like that of Sri Lanka. So stop trying to discredit Sri Lankans and Indians. (imagine Bramha and do kuppa !).
With the Portugese general ricardo d’souza it was a wanni tamil army that came to rob the nation.
About language and culture; why is there then a higher proportion of christians among the tamils, especially the wanni tiger faction?
How come all of ancient Sri Lankan engineering, culture and artitecture including those of the north are not Tamil and Hindu, but mainly Buddist?
How come they are destroyed?
How come 400 decapitated Budha statues and monastries destroyed in Tamil Nadu?
Good you highllihted the religion issue, now you know racism is embedded in you and the reason for you to hate Buddists
Weera Kappatipolla and Weera Puran Appu fought for the entrie country. Lewke nilame fought the Dutch sucessfuly to liberate and the free distribution of salt for everybody including Tamils. Leaders of the Ceylon National Congress and the National Association and LSSPers spoke and did for the whole nation including Tamils. Tamil helpers to the British government then were also respected (perhaps unwisely) by Sinhalese, Muslims and others. It was with Sinhala votes that Ponnambalam came to office. Some chose him over Sinhala candidates like sir Marcus Fernando. Building of many institutions including the jaffna library and St. Johns Jaffna had many Sinhala benafactors. Many of these happened even before Ponnambalam was in his mothers womb. So dont forget, be racist or ungrateful..!..
Tamils in Tamil-Nadu, Tamils only in Tamil Eelaam, and the vast majority of Sri Lankan/Eelam Tamils in the republic of Sri Lanka, so what seems to be the problem?
In that case others should also have one.
The Sihala decends from the Vadda, we share the same liniage and ancestory, Yes we value and exagerate our northern liniage, but that is a big part of our culture and civilization. We idealized Patliputtra, Asokan era, built the worlds largest reservoirs up untill the last century, were the first to put Buddism into writing (originally in Sinhala then translated to Pali, why do you think that ??), now we are the last/only surviving Buddist kingdom in the subcontinent. Even some Tamils like to be ‘fair and lovely’. The irony is by even your fabrication your fascists have no Native blood!!!!!!!
Yes, throughout our history from time to time foreigners have made inroads to settle in areas where there was no previous settlement. This was especially true during the last 500 years when the Sri Lankans had no control of the island under the portugese, Dutch and British. It was not just divede and rule, but mercinaries, genocide and colonization having a serious impact on the population demography and territorial integrity!
The survival of our motherland, culture and people has always been threatened with communalism. This is our only homeland, on top of that people are able and willing to share even with communalists and must be appreciated!
Till recently we did not have the right to go any where in our only motherland, it was just the right of these inbred communalists! Now we have to explain our existance in our only homeland !!
All this because Tamil language is used in official documentation like passports, birth certificates and other pulic use, the present education provided in Tamil!
I dont have to remind you that a high proportion of Buddists worship the many Hindu gods. Practically how many Tamils worship the Buddha?
Tamils also have Sinhala blood, eastern Tamils even names and traditions. Chola genocide and tami expansion could not fully eradicate.
How come you fellows never blame the fascist tigers, their ethnic-cleansing, mono-ehnic ideology, child-soldiering terrorism?
This time they also tried with monoethnic ideolgy, aptly titled; nazi peelaam, ethnic cleansing, genocide of also Muslims, women abusing, child abducting, suicide bums and baby army…..,but failed!
Good overcomes evil.
Historical genocide of Sri Lankans runs to many millions over many thousands of years and that is the pride and herritage of the wanni fascists.
Ramas to ellalas, rajas to raja adi rajas to madras sepoys.
Tamil-expansion : Saintly innocence!
When will we be not blamed for being the majority in our only homeland?
When will we be free to walk all-over our island, is it just the right of minorities and soldiers?
The Temple of the Tooth bomb, is one such example of the historical hatred towards the Buddists and crimes against the worlds oldest Buddist kingdom! speaks volumes about the long line of anti-Buddist, mono-ethnic, fascist-Tamil ideology! (These sites may attract evil-eelam and Tamil-terrorist tourists!). Throughout our history our religion and people have been persecuted by anti-Buddist, mono-eccentric Tamils, our history written in blood. Ramas, ellalas, rajas, raja adi raja, hanumans, madras sepoys, vps…………………
Unlike ethnocentric Tamils many Buddists worship even Hindu gods. When will we ever be appreciated? When will we be not blamed for being the majority in our only homeland?
When will all Sri lankans be free to walk all-over our island or be free from having to explain our survival, our existance, our cultural/religious background our self determination?
Tamils in Tamil-Nadu, Tamils in Tamil-only eelam, tamils in the republic of Sri lanka.
So What seems to be the probblem?
If so others should also have one!
will be cont…………….
For example, according to the Mahavamsa, Buddha made three magical trips to Sri Lanka, each time colonizing another area of the island, in preparation for the formal introduction of Buddhism two centuries after his death. One of these trips was to settle a dispute between the Yakkhas and Nagas at Naga Divipa (Ninathivu) where the Buddha tamed the Yakkhas, the non-human inhabitants of the island.
There is no evidence whatsoever to support this claim (Buddha’s 3 visits), other than the three chaithiyas (Buddhist structures) built in the recent past by the Sinhalese Buddhists at 3 different locations to say, ‘This is where Buddha came.’ Even the footprint of Buddha at Sri Pada (Adam’s peak) is nothing but an obvious myth.
——————————
Argument from ignorance, also known as argumentum ad ignorantiam or appeal to ignorance, is an informal logical fallacy. It asserts that a proposition is necessarily true because it has not been proven false (or vice versa). This represents a type of false dichotomy in that it excludes a third option: there is insufficient investigation and the proposition has not yet been proven to be either true or false.
Carl Sagan famously criticized the practice by referring to it as “impatience with ambiguity”, pointing out that “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance
Tripitaka is Buddha dhamma. It is written in 57 volumes. And Mahawamsa is the chronicles of Sri Lanka. If Devananda cannot distinguish the different between those two he is an ignorant. This write-up is not worth countering for it is full of fabrication, falsehood and lies. I am responding because otherwise those that are gullible would think false is right.
Now, Sinhala Buddhists follow the traditions of Mahavihara. It was founded by king Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BCE) in his capital Anuradhapura. And Mahavihara means Great Monastery. For several centuries, Mahavihara was the center of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Many commentators here say ‘Sinhala’ is a new race and it wasn’t even mentioned in our early writing. Let me tell them, no Sinhala pretend to be pure. Once one joins Mahavihara, he/she becomes a refuge of its traditions. His cast creed or race becomes immaterial. That is how descendent of Vijaya and his 500 or 5000 people become Sinhala. They mixed with Yaksa, Raksa, Naga and Deva, the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka to evolve as one single race called Sinhala. Does it matter when? What matters is Sinhala race and Sinhala language evolved with a unique identity.
Now, what about Tamils of Sri Lanka? Tamils say they are the ancient race in Sri Lanka. They say; they are descendents of Ravana. But Sri Lankan Tamil race and language has no unique features like Sinhala. If Tamils were an ancient race in Sri Lanka, they should have evolved to be a different race like Sinhala and Maldiveians. Actually, Sri Lanka Tamils and Indian Tamils speak the same language and have the same culture. How come?
Original Tamil country is just 20 miles away from our coast. There, Tamils are over 70 million today. In addition, there are over 150 million Dravidians in adjoining states. Indian history says, they had three kingdoms for a long time and they had invaded Sri Lanka many a times. Question is how come they could not overwhelmed Vijaya’s 500 or 5000 men and made Sri Lanka Tamil?
Buddhist monks of the Mahavihara maintained chronicles of Sri Lankan history, starting from the 3rd century BCE. These annals were combined and compiled into a single document in the 5th century CE by the Buddhist monk Ven. Mahanama.
According to Wilhelm Geiger, there is evidence that there was a prior compilations known as Mahavamsa Atthakatha, and that Mahanama relied on this texts. Atthakatha means true stories. To say the least to confirm its authenticity, Wilhelm Geiger pointed out that the Dipawamsa and Mahawamsaare the primary sources for ancient South Asian chronology.
Leela
An interesting and timely article with many facts.
Could the author or someone expand on the prevailing conditions locally when Mahavamsa was written by Mahanama.
Why the Abhayagiri monks separated from Mahavihara monks where Mahanama belonged and thought it proper or necessary to chronicle it?
Why was it not written in the local basha and written in pali which they could not understand?
Was any ola leaves removed and substituted such as the ones referring to a muslim ruler Vathimi rajah as claimed by the Muslims?
Mahavamsa talks a lot about ‘Malaya’ where the monks and kings escaped and returned from time to time.
Is it the same Malaya and what was the connection? Did the hela people come from Malaya(comparing the national dress of sarong)
Why wasn’t the theravada or other buddhisms spread there by the dutiful monks who frequented Malaya?
54. shankar
If you are confused with Mahavamsa-Buddhism you should look at JVP website and learn about Buddhist-Communism.
Anything can happen in Sri Lanka.
If i am an interlectual this is my comment
what is all this mr dbsj? from where sri lankans com? how they became majority? all these are trivial to give any place in modern day. the truth is sri lanka is multy ethnic and multy religion and we will have to live like this forever, so why not stop all this historey lessons and try to find a way to live together peacefully.
If i am a racist this is my comment
so what? does it matter to you what happened in the past? i am sorry …..but let me tell you this ; you, tamils are the minority in srilanka and it is a fact, it will be so for a long time, i mean another few hundreds of years atleast. so dont get killed again by thousands by hurting sinhala racists, yea you are right this is a threat, you see what happened to elam dream once so it can happen again i mean we can repeat it again.
but im neither an interlectual nor a racist so i would say it is very fun to read the article and the comments thank you for posting it.
Even if the Elara is a foreigner it is said that he had sinhala soldiers with him and Dutu had tamil soldiers with him. Does it not prove that Tamils were living in sri lanka for a very long time.
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62. Siva
Your article is good. Can you give a link to that.
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Dear DBSJ,
Obviously, JL Devananda’s well-crafted article, with all its pretences to scholarship is nothing but a deliberately deisgned attempt to confuse the intelligentia and blacken the reputation of the Sinhala Buddhist polity; an article full of the writer’s own favourite myths! Such as what Buddhist Children are taught in Dhamma Schools in the island… This is a preposterous charge!
Mahawamsa is not the problem. The great irreplaceable literary source and epic should never be re written or tampered with. The fact had Mahawamsa, with warts and all, composed in beautiful Pali, had survived the ravages of time is per se, a matter of pride for the majority of Sri Lankans who call themselves Sinhalese or Sihala or siv hela… or Sinhala Buddhists… Why should anyone deny them that? The writer and other should accept the realities of centuries historical and social evolution and adjust himself and those for whom he writes to the present day circumstances and honestly seek a clear modus vivendi aimed at survival….., if they want to survive! Without attempting to rewrite history! Imagine trying to edit Homer or Virgil or Valmiki?
Aloy Perera, Toronto
But no one tell the ancestry or history of Bhikku Mahanama. Dont these Pandits know anything about Mahanama who was the maternal uncle of Sigiri Kasyappa?
Can the current History dons ever do any research on the maternal side of King Kasyappa and Mogglana?
I tell you here that the maternal side of the King Kasyappa belong to the South Indian Pallavas!
Sri Lankan royals never went to any parts of India except TAMIL NADU and only to Tamil Nadu.
Further Tamil historians never explain the words Chera, Chola and Pandia. If these words come from Tamil, please explain using Tamil grammar or any other Tamil cultural source.
I wish you had put more pictures depicting Buddhist motifs to illustrate this article
@ 81. Navin
This is Andara Demala for me. I did not receive any answer to my question from anybody.
I strongly believe that Sri Lanka is a blessed country because according to Buddhist scriptures, Buddha has visited three times. I also believe that it was Buddha who said (in the scriptures) that the Sinhala prince Vijaya from Sinhapura will go to Lanka and his followers (Sinhalese) will preserve Buddhism for 5000 years. I also believe that the Sinhala culture is the Buddhist culture. I also learned from my grandparents that it was God Vishnu who will protect the country and the Sinhala people and God Vishnu will become the next Buddha and he will be born in Sri Lanka. I also know (many people told me) Mahavamsa is not true stories.
My problem is, this author is saying none of the above what I believe are from Buddhist scriptures but they are from the Mahavamsa.
Is it TRUE or is he telling lies?
I searched the internet but I cannot get a clear answer.
This author is also telling that Buddha did not mention about any Gods but we worship most of the Gods (Vishnu) that the Tamils worship. If Buddha has not mentioned about any Gods like Vishnu in the scriptures, then why are the following the Tamils?
I am confused, can anybody tell me who is correct and who is wrong. I want to prove that this author is telling lies.
106. Navin
Please comment on the 62. Siva
DBSJ,
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to write on you web site.
I am not qualified enough to comment about most of what this author is saying because I have never read the Mahavamsa. All what I know about the Mahavamsa is the history lessons I studied in school up to grade 8 and all I learned from my parents, grandparents, and from the loku Saadu at my village temple in Kurunegala area.
Some people may not like this but as a Buddhist I should tell the truth. I went to Dhamma school when I was a young boy, the Upaasaka Mahathaya who taught us at the Dhamma school was also a teacher at the Maha Vidiyala but I did not go to his school. He was teaching Buddhism and History.
It was during the early 1970s, I still remember, at the Dhamma school, other than the Sutta and Dammapada, and Buddhist stories, he used to tell us about all those wonderful Buddhist Dagobas that our Sinhala kings built at Anuradapura and how the invading Tamils destroyed them. When I hear those stories, I get very angry and I hated the Tamils. We all hated Tamils. (but nobody taught us that Tamils should be killed). After that, whenever I visit the holy Buddhist city and see all those ruins (Buddhist structures) I get very angry with the Tamils and I hated them.
My opinion about the Tamils changed when I joined the government service, my immediate superior officer was a Tamil from Jaffna. At the beginning I was highly worried but later I realized that he was a gem, a very good person and I was extremely happy to work under him.
Once, somewhere in 1976, I visited Jaffna (with my family) and stayed at his house for a week. The extraordinary hospitality we received from him and his family, there are no words to say. The Yaaldevi train journey, Thal toddy we had sitting under the palm tree, a very special tasty soup they make called ‘Kool’, pittu with tasty crab curry, tasty murunga curry, tasty Jaffna style lunch, delicious Jaffna mangoes, special ice cream at Subash cafe, bath at Keerimale, it was paradise on earth. We loved Jaffna, what a great place it was and how nice the people were, very calm, quiet and peaceful people whose only aim was to study hard and go to university. I still cannot imagine how such peaceful and innocent people later became Terrorists. The only people we should blame for all these mess is our dirty politicians from both sides.
I like the last line written by this author, what we should understand is, the Tamils were living with us for thousands of years, we should consider them as our equal partners, this country belongs to both Sinhalese and Tamils, it is not Sinhala heritage but Sri Lankan (Sinhala/Tamil heritage), it should not be Sinhala Only but both Sinhala and Tamil, we should stop using derogatory words such as “countryless/stateless Para Demalu go to Tamil Nadu, that is your home”. These Sri Lankan Tamils do not have any relationship with Tamil Nadu just like we Sinhalese do not have any relationship with North India from where we believe we came. As the author says, if we understand these facts and accept them as equal, I am sure the Tamils will join with the Sinhalese as one Sri Lankan nation. The question is, will our dirty politicians who live on divide and rule policy ever wants this to happen? I doubt it.
# 128. Jayawickrama,
Hats off, Gem of words, Lets restart from NOW HERE, rebuild our nation, before reaching NO WHERE.
I storngly believe We Sinhalese & Tamils are releated to each others by not just yesterday but over 2000 years.
PLEASE DO NOT BREAK our historical RELEATIONSHIP, contribute your wwriting to stringthen our releationship not break it- Please
This is a very good article written by an educated Tamil scholar with his own point of view about the chronicle Mahawamsa and the related historical evidence written by the author in the 5th century.
According to the article writer wants to say that Sri Lankan Buddhists believe or claim Mahavamsa is a part of Buddhism together with Thripitaka. As a Sri Lankan born Buddhist I understand that Mahavamsa is the cronuicle in which some areas related to the Buddhist developments are over-explained or elaborated
This is a very good article written by an educated Tamil scholar with his own point of view about the chronicle Mahawamsa and the related historical evidence written by the author in the 5th century.
According to the article writer wants to say that Sri Lankan Buddhists believe or claim Mahavamsa is a part of Buddhism together with Thripitaka. As a Sri Lankan born Buddhist I understand that Mahavamsa is the cronuicle in which some areas related to the Buddhist developments are over-explained or elaborated than usual.But not as a part of the Buddha’s teaching.We Sri Lankan never believes that we are relatives to Buddha.
But we have some proud people who claim as king Dutugemunu is their ancestor.
Although I agree with the writer’s last paragraph (mixing up Sinhala and Srilankan), the reality is that even modern
nations like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and even USA indentifies themslves as Sinhala in Sri Lanka. For example, when one says Australian, everyone think of a white blond haired blue eyed person. Same with Canadian. When you say Canadian, no one think of a person with an appearance of a Asian or Indian..
If a Canadian with an appearance of a Asian or a Indian
says that he/she is a Canadian, most people will say, well you are not a real Canadian. This is because
people are brain washed to think that Canadian means white, blond haired blue eyed person.
Therefore, the mixing up of a particular ethnic
group as a nation is not limited only to Sri Lanka.
However, its fascinating reading and I would like to thank Mr. J.L. Devananda and DBSJ.
This is a very good article written by an educated Tamil scholar with his own point of view about the chronicle Mahawamsa and the related historical evidence written by the author in the 5th century.
According to the article writer wants to say that Sri Lankan Buddhists believe or claim Mahavamsa is a part of Buddhism together with Thripitaka. As a Sri Lankan born Buddhist I understand that Mahavamsa is the cronuicle in which some areas related to the Buddhist developments are over-explained or elaborated than usual.But not as a part of the Buddha’s teaching.We Sri Lankan never believes that we are relatives to Buddha.
But we have some proud people who claim as king Dutugemunu is their ancestor.
There is no importance at all of taking about whats the Buddhist laymen think in such a good article .We have to challenge the Historians like Professor Mandis Rohanadheera or Ven Ellawala Medhananda Tero.
As a common reader I believe that the “creation of the Sinhala race by integrating all the Buddhists from different tribes/ethnic groups into one race”is a valuable argument mention in the article.
In the article itself has given the answer for the same. Which iswritten in the article such as I quote”There are enough of ancient archaeological evidence in Sri Lanka such as Brahmi stone inscriptions, cave writings, Pali chronicles, etc where the terms ‘Dameda’, ‘Damela’, ‘Damila’, ‘Demel’ are mentioned as a group of people living in the island. Even in the Jataka stories such as Akitti Jataka, there is a reference to Tamil country (Damila-rattha), where as there is NO evidence what so ever about the terms ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, ‘Sinhala’ before and even a few centuries after the Pali chronicles were written. Even the Mahavamsa says, the missionary monk Mahinda Maha Thero preached Buddhism to the people of the island in Deepa basa (language of the island) but it does not say that the deepa basa was ‘Elu’ or ‘Helu’ or ‘Sihala’.”
If the writer wants us to believe this time Mahawamsa There is no any evidence about the Tamil language was used at the time.
So this Deepa basa is nothing other than the language developed by the then the Intellectuals
#126 Srilal:
“This author is also telling that Buddha did not mention about any Gods but we worship most of the Gods (Vishnu) that the Tamils worship. If Buddha has not mentioned about any Gods like Vishnu in the scriptures, then why are the following the Tamils?”
Of all the world religions, Buddhism is closest to Hinduism, but there are major differences. Hinduism also incorporates Buddhism into their religion, they say Buddha was a reincarnation of one of their gods.
Buddhists should not be worshipping Hindu gods, it seems this is a unique aspect of how Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka. In other countries too, Buddhism has taken local flavors similarly and incorporated local culture into the religion. Buddha spoke of 31 planes of existence. Of these, being human is one. There are several heavenly (deva) planes existence. I think this is where the mix-up happens. Buddha sometimes mentioned these realms, and even visited them super-naturally (one example of many, He visited his dead parents in these heavenly realms and game them Dhamma sermons through which they attained Nibbana.) Buddha stressed that life in all 31, including in the heavenly realms as devas are impermanent. Devas and deities also visited Buddha on Earth many times. We were encouraged to transfer merit to them as they cannot obtain merit by themselves. However in Sri Lanka the deva (god) worship has been taken too far by Buddhists. There are no powerful gods like in Christianity or Islam, just higher beings who are there because of meritorious kamma, but their lives will end and they will be reborn somewhere else (human, animal, hellish realms etc, or other higher realsms) eventually. Nibbana is the only way out of this cycle (samsara.) Buddha did not encourage or advocate deva (god) worship or asking gods for material things etc. I wish Buddhists didn’t do this, as it leads Buddhists away from the spirit of the religion, however, this is how it has developed in Sri Lanka. But there are many learned Sri Lankan monks who do not incorparate any devas into their temples or teachings as well.
“I strongly believe that Sri Lanka is a blessed country because according to Buddhist scriptures, Buddha has visited three times.”
I agree, there is no reason for us to doubt this. This writer says Paranawithana didn’t find any proof? So what? That doesn’t say anything. Plus one can find proof only of long standing civilizations, practices, lifestyles etc, what kind of proof can he find of a short visit of pershpas a day or at the most a couple of days each time? It is unlikely that there would be anything to find. We are not talking about coins, spoons, crockery, or any such things that could be excavated. Was he expecting a videotape of a Buddha’s visit. Ludicrous. I wouldn’t pay any attention or give credence to this obviously biased article.
“I also believe that it was Buddha who said (in the scriptures) that the Sinhala prince Vijaya from Sinhapura will go to Lanka and his followers (Sinhalese) will preserve Buddhism for 5000 years.”
You’d have to ask a monk who has read the entire Tipitaka about this one. I do believe that He said it’s last about 5000 years and that Lanka will play a prominent role in perserving it, we already have by preserving the Tipitaka. But if this is not in the Tipitaka, that won’t affect my belief. He could have just said it when he visited Lanka and most likely that’s when he said it. The first part about Vijaya etc, I personally don’t care about, if Buddha said it or not. Try to find a scholar monk and ask him as it’s important to you.
“I also believe that the Sinhala culture is the Buddhist culture.”
This was true in the past within Sri Lanka. The Sinhala were all Buddhists and the Buddhist were all Sinhala. Hence the Sinhala-Buddhist culture developed and we owe a lot to them for what they did for preserving Buddhism from all kinds of attacks, including European invasions. Buddhism could have died out on many occasions if not for the care of Sinhala-Buddhsts. However, I think that culture served it’s purpose and served it valiantly but the term should be now retired, or at least used in a less exclusionary way. Today there are Buddhists who are not Sinhala, and Sinhala who are not Buddhists. Even though I’m both, I find that it is an excluding term for these people who only belong to one. Therefore I don’t like that term and I wish they would stop using it. I suppose it is a bit like the Hindu-Tamil term. There are Hindus who aren’t Tamils and Tamils who aren’t Hindus.
As for the constant accusation from the propaganda wing of the Tamils that Sinhala-Buddhist culture and people that we are racist etc, I just don’t buy it. Because I never experienced it. I never ever heard anyone say anything racist or derogatory about Tamils. Not parents, friends, teachers, monks, nuns, family friends, relatives, parents of friends, work colleagues, no one. If we were so racist how could I not have a single instance of racism? When you live in a country like the USA you quickly realize that racism is just under the surface. You see evidence of it every day. You hear whites refer to Blacks in derogatory terms when they are not around all the time. In Sri Lanka I never saw any evidence of this, if it was there, I should have seen it as part of our culture many times, I never did. Even when the war was in full swing, I didn’t see anyone discriminating against Tamils for jobs, promotions etc in places where I worked. We continued our friendships with Tamils colleagues and friends. So since I know in my heart of hearts that that we are not racists, just defenders of our country against terrorist attacks, I don’t believe that rubbish. I am proud that we do not call the terrorists and the LTTE “Tamils” or “Hindus” for cheap propaganda attacks like they do to us. I am sad however that Tamils don’t realize the damage they are doing to their own future well-being every time they refer to Sri Lankan government or the Sri Lankan Army as the :Sinhala Government/Army” or the “Buddhist government/army”. These terms are completely wrong and used only for cheap propaganda victories but the goodwill they erode is enormous and will bite them in the back one day. When you live in the West you realize that Sri Lanka is ahead every developed country in terms of equality for all races and religions. The government consists of a higher percentage of Muslims than their share of the population, including many high level posts. This was the same for Tamils if the Tamil terrorists hadn’t assassinated pretty much every Tamil in the government (their own people!). We don’t even have a derogatory term for Tamils like the “N word” in the States, because we never used any such term to refer to Tamils. There is no country in the West despite all of their preaching that has a minority representative government such as we have in Sri Lanka. They don’t even come close. Sure there would have been things that could have been improved, there is always room for improvement in the human world. But the LTTE went about it the wrong way. They pulled out a sword to swat the fly on their face. In the process they CREATED Sinhalese who resented Tamils or even racists where they weren’t before. Just the massive propagada is enough to do the trick. They still haven’t learned the harm and division it causes and still continue to spew these lies and nonsense. They are still stuck in the wonder world where the West swallows their propanda and millions of $s spent lobbying the Western Governments and puts them and their lies on a pedestal and damns the Sri Lankan Government. If they had stuck to truths and true grievances, they would have received much more sympathy and wide open ears from the Sinhala people. Instead all we heard were ‘athe palena boru’ which changed almost daily to suit the newest strategy they were pursing all aimed at the foreigners ears.
This is a very good article written by an educated Tamil scholar with his own point of view about the chronicle Mahawamsa and the related historical evidence written by the author in the 5th century.
According to the article writer wants to say that Sri Lankan Buddhists believe or claim Mahavamsa is a part of Buddhism together with Thripitaka. As a Sri Lankan born Buddhist I understand that Mahavamsa is the cronuicle in which some areas related to the Buddhist developments are exaggerated or elaborated than usual,but not as a part of the Buddha’s teaching.We Sri Lankan never believes that we are relatives to Buddha.
But we have some proud people who claim as king Dutugemunu is their ancestor.
There is no importance at all of taking about whats the Buddhist laymen think in such a good article .We have to challenge the historians like Professor Mandis Rohanadheera or Ven Ellawala Medhananda Tero.
As a common reader I believe that is written the article such as I quote”creation of the Sinhala race by integrating all the Buddhists from different tribes/ethnic groups into one race”is a valuable argument mentioned.
In the article itself has given the answer for the same. Which is written in the article such as I quote”There are enough of ancient archaeological evidence in Sri Lanka such as Brahmi stone inscriptions, cave writings, Pali chronicles, etc where the terms ‘Dameda’, ‘Damela’, ‘Damila’, ‘Demel’ are mentioned as a group of people living in the island. Even in the Jataka stories such as Akitti Jataka, there is a reference to Tamil country (Damila-rattha), where as there is NO evidence what so ever about the terms ‘Hela’, ‘Sihala’, ‘Sinhala’ before and even a few centuries after the Pali chronicles were written. Even the Mahavamsa says, the missionary monk Mahinda Maha Thero preached Buddhism to the people of the island in Deepa basa (language of the island) but it does not say that the deepa basa was ‘Elu’ or ‘Helu’ or ‘Sihala’.”end of the quote.
If the writer wants us to believe this time Mahawamsa There is no any evidence about the Tamil language was used at the time.
So this Deepa basa is nothing other than the language developed by the then the Intellectuals for the mainly four ethnic groups called I quote again “There are enough of ancient archaeological evidence in Sri Lanka such as Brahmi stone inscriptions, cave writings, Pali chronicles, etc where the terms ‘Dameda’, ‘Damela’, ‘Damila’, ‘Demel’ are mentioned as a group of people living in the island.”end of the quote.
Damila ratta where Tamils lived.Other three are non Tamils but perhaps south Indian originated people lived in the other three regions as well. These four rattas called Siv- Hela.(Even today we have this concept in our villages as Hatara varige). Four clans or four tribes
Later they became Siv helayas and there common language created by then educated Buddhist monks and other scholars called Sinhala ,and the people who spoke this language called Sinhalayo.
Then who are this Tamils now we have.
Those who did not supported or accept this concept of
merging Four tribes remained as Tamils who ultimately
started to believe as they were neglected.
History has repeated again.How many parties , ethnic groups are join together with the same ideology today.Who they became as one people come out as Sri lankan .Others may suffer some more centuries as neglected once again.
My Simple question is where do you stand.
Devendra must be ROFL seeing the fireworks he started…
Sadly not a single “scholarly” comment on this yet.
Btw, 117. Navin, I think you are spot on about the writer’s principal hypothesis on this article…
118. Leela
“Question is how come they could not overwhelmed Vijaya’s 500 or 5000 men and made Sri Lanka Tamil?”
The answer is simple Tamils are civilized people, we don’t believe in mass murder and genocide.
Our hospitable nature backfired us and end up loosing our country to the toxic invaders.
What about calling it a “genocidal mahavamsa”
Stop twisting history with assumptions and myth.
128. Jayawickrama | December 28th, 2010 at 1:41 am,
You are a rare and a well polished diamond you should shine all the time on this blog to make the darknes left by the so called patriots diasppear.
115. jan |
You seem to another one brain washed and made by the Sunday schools. And become beyond rehabilitation.
121. lsrg ,
Yes if you are a racist , then I too am a racist there are over 80 millions Tamils in the World as opposed to less than 20 millions Sinhala racists like you in the world that is the reality to day .Just shout up and live and let live otherwise you will be overwhelmed and extinct ultimately.
123,Aloyperera,
Mate you can keep your Epic mahavamsa where ever you want to keep no one will object but don’t use it to destroy or genocide Tamils in the Island of Srilanka. If you keep on trying you will be extinct from the world by the 80 million
I do not think there is any evidence in Sri Lanka to prove that Buddhism or Buddhist monuments existed in Sri Lanka before king Devanampiya Tissa. None of the archeologists have found any evidence. Prof. Paranavithana once said, there is no archeological evidence of Buddhism before Mahinda thero came to Sri Lanka but there were Hindu temples.
According to Dr. Paul E. Peiris, an erudite scholar and historian, “long before the arrival of Vijaya (6th century B.C.) there was in Lanka five recognized ‘Eeswararns’ of Siva, which claimed and received adoration of all India. These were Tiruketheeswaram near Mahathitha, Munneswaram, Thondeswaram, Tirukoneswaram and Naguleswaram.
Just like the Damelas, even the Nagas have lived in both South India (Nargakovil, Nagapattinam) and Sri Lanka (Nagadeepa). Nagadeepa was once the kingdom of Nagas. King Tissa was from the Naga tribe. He was the second Son of King Muta Siva and brother of king Maha Siva. Muta Siva was the Son of King Pandu kabaya, and Pandu kabaya was the son-in-law of Giri Kanda Siva and Grandson of King Pandu Vasudeva. These are all Hindu (saiva) names. Before becoming Buddhists these people must have been worshipping in those 5 Siva temples and their names are also ending with Siva.
The Archeologist/Historian Dr. Parnawitharana says, “We know NEXT TO NOTHING about the pre historic autochthonous people of Sri Lanka. They could have been the ancestors of the present day Sinhalese and Tamils.”
In other words, those Damelas and Nagas of the ancient period could have been the ancestors of the present day Sinhalese and Tamils.
Sinhala racists must read the study done by Kshatriya et al which appeared in The Journal “Human Biology” Dec 1995 vol 67 No 06 pp 843-846. Unfortunately the sample was small of about 100 each of Sinhalese and Tamils. Results of Genetic Admixture analysis showed: formation of genetic pool of Sinhalese – Indian Tamil 70%, Bengali 25.5% & Vedhdha 4.5%. Ceylon Tamils – Indian Tamil 17%, Bengali 28% & Sinhala 55%. This clearly shows that both Sinhalese and Ceylon Tamils have some degree of common ancestry. Any one who claims to be the original inhabitant must subject him or herself for genetic testing to prove his/her claim that he or she has no genetic input from foreign ethnic groups.
Wilhem Geiger in the introduction to his translation of the original Mahavamsa from Pali to English said, ” We must not forget that the Mahavamsa is not a dry chronicle in the modern sense of the word, but a poem. In a poem embellishments and sometimes also exaggerations may occur. But within these limits I have the strong impression and whoever reads the Mahavamsa without prejudice will have the same- that the author at least wished to tell the truth. He is perhaps sometimes misled by his education and by his conviction, on account of his priestly mode of viewing things, but he never tells a falsehood intentionally”. Having read Geiger’s translation several times, I tend to concur.
Mahanama Thero, was apparently a great scholar and an ardent -probably a little too ardent Buddhist monk. The times he lived in may have influenced his strident beliefs. Mahavamsa, stripped of its poetic exaggerations and the beliefs that were probably common place at that time, is a masterpiece of Lankan history. If not for the Mahavamsa and the earlier Deepavamsa, we Lankans would not have our bearings in the ocean of history. We have to be grateful for his endeavours and respectful of his efforts in times considered ‘ancient’ by modern historians. However, Ruwan Rajapakse in his ’Concise Mahavamsa’ has done injustice to this chronicle by calling it the’ History of Buddhism in Sri Lanka”. Mahavamsa is not the history of Buddhism , but the history of Lanka, of which Buddhism was an important strand.
Mahavamsa, proves that Tamils were an integral part of Sri Lanka’ s history, whether as an indigenous people or as invaders. It also proves that Lanka was inhabited when Vijaya and his followers arrived. Kuveni and her tribe, were conversant in music and dancing and were biologically compatible for mating wth Vijaya and his followers. If not, Kuveni could not have had two children with Kuveni. Kuveni and her tribe are however described as Yakkshaya conversant in majic in the Mahavamsa. Yakshai in Sinhala today means ’Very capable’. However, the general interpretation today is that the Yakshayo were non-human or some type of devils. According to the Ramayana, Ravana (Lankeswara) and his people were ‘Rakshsas’ ( Irrachasar in Tamil), who were also conversant with magic. Kuveni and her tribe may have been the descendants of the Rakshasas. Hela Urumaya now claims that the Sinhalese are the descendants of Kubera and Ravana. The Tamils also consider Ravana one of their kind and a great Siva baktha (worshipper). The Mahavamsa may have inadvertently drawn two strands of beliefs together and underlined our-Sinhala and Tamil- common ancestry.
Mahavamsa also has indicated that Vijaya and his seven hundred followers imported wives from Madurai (Pandya Kingdom) and these maidens were accompanied by several thousand servants and artisans. ( Paravithane tried very hard to prove that the imports were from Madura in north India, to prove an Aryan origin for the Sinhalese). The generation born out these wed-locks would have been 50% Tamil and the servants and artisans would have by themselves brought forth 50-100 % Tamils. Modern DNA studies show that the Sinhalese and Tamils have similar genetic origins. These studies confirm the Mahavamsa history.
The Mahavamsa also says that after the slaying of King Elara by Prince Dutugamini he, ” Marched with chariots, troops and beasts for riders, into the capital. In the city he caused the drum to be beaten, and when he had summoned the people from a yojana around he celebrated the funeral rites for king Elara. On the spot where his body had fallen, he burned it with the catafalque, and there did he build a monument and ordain worship. Ands even to this day the princes of Lanka, when they draw near to this place, are wont to silence their music because of this music.” This is definitely an objective rendering of history and said monument to Elara existed until recent times.
The Mahavamsa also states that after the war Dutugemunu, ” Knew no joy, remembering that thereby (his war with Elara) was wrought the destruction of millions of beings”. He also is reported to have told the Arahats visiting him, ” How shall there be any comfort for me, O venerable sirs, since by me was caused the slaughter of a great host numbering millions?”.
The Arahats are reported to have replied, ” From this deed arises no hindrance in thy way to heaven. Only one half human beings have been slain by thee, O lord of men. The one had come unto the (three) refuges, the other had taken on himself the five precepts. Unbelievers and men of evil life were the rest, not more to be esteemed than beasts. But as for thee, thou wilt bring glory to the doctrine of the Buddha in manifold ways; therefore cast away care from thy heart, O ruler of men!”. In reporting this incident Mahanama Thera, the ardent Buddhist monk asserts himself over that part of him which was a historian. Many Muslims of the extremist type consider non-believers as ‘Infidels’, deserving to be killed, even today. Mahanama Thero the Buddhist Monk and Scholar, of course exposes his vulnerability to the sentiments and environment prevailing at this point in history in his narration of this episode.
This incident as reported by Mahanama Thero underscores the attribution of the events of post-independence years by many Tamils to the ‘Mahavamsa mindset’. Was Hitler’s campaign to annihilate the Jews, Pol Pot’s reign of terror in Cambodia, what happened in Ruwanda and similar events also the result of the ‘Mahavamsa mindset’? These events, which have manifested throughout history, are the result of the ‘ Blood thirstiness’ ( to call it ‘Animal’, would be an insult to them !) yet lingering in the humankind, and not the result of a ‘ Mahavamsa or other mindset’.
Mahanama Thero concludes the chapter on Dutugemunu’s victory over Elara by stating,” Should a man think on the hosts of human beings murdered for greed in countless myriads, and should he carefully keep in mind the evil arising from that, and should he also very carefully keep in mind the mortality as being the murderer of all, then will he, in this way, shortly win freedom from suffering and a happy condition”. At this point, Mahanama the Buddhist philosopher has taken over the narrative.
_Dr.Rajasingham Narendran-
After reading Jayawickrama’s story I thought I should write this. I am from Kelanaya where you find one of the Buddhist temples that Buddha visited. I do not remember if it was Dhamma school or any other school but from very young age we started hating Tamils. We used to wonder why these Tamils are still in Sri Lanka when they have a place in India. What we believed from young days was that Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country which belongs only to Sinhalese. I think almost all the Sinhalese people still believe this. What we know is that Tamils came from time to time as invaders and our Sinhala kings chased them away to Tamil nadu. Only after the white people came, they brought Tamil labour from Tamil nadu and settled in Jaffna, Batticaloa, and upcountry. In Kelanaya/Kiribathgoda if you tell someone this is not a SinhalaBuddhist country, the people will kill you. The people here in Kelanaya believe that Tamils and Muslims are outsiders, it is Buddha’s holy land and it is Buddha’s wish that Sinhala people should protect Buddhism. Tamils can go to Tamil Nadu at any time but Sinhala people do not have a Sinhala Nadu. We do not know where this Sinhapura is from where Vijaya came, the only Sinhapura or Sinhala nadu that we know is Sri Lanka.
After reading this article and Jayawickrama’s story, I feel that sometimes we are brought up from young days with a wrong idea about Tamils, but how can we change the people’s minds now? I do not think even for the next 1000 years you can change the minds of the SinhalaBuddhists to believe that Sri Lanka is not Sinhala-Buddhist but Sinhala and Tamil country.
If you see the recent national anthem issue, see even the big boss believes that Sinhala only is needed and Tamil should be removed. Why Sinhala Country need a Tamil anthem? Now, can anybody change the mindset of the big boss? If big boss think like that, how can small people like us change?
This article is written only to appease the extreme elements of Tamil nationalists.
I do not think it is worthwhile making a lengthy comment to this article which is based on hypothetical things. {eg. I have attended 10 years of Dhamma Schools and learnt nothing anti Tamil)
Mahawamsa is a fabulous piece of historical literature and has nothing to do with Theravada Buddhism. It is helpful to clear some areas of history of the island. Mahawansa bashing has been a major pastime of Tamil ealamists and we sinhalese can only feel sorry for them.
As a Sinhalese I know we are a mixed race with strong relation to Tamils. I feel proud of being a Sinhalese as much as a Tamil/Muslim feel proud about of his/her ethnicity. No body can change history. What we have today is the results of the history and what we can do is to learn from the past and try to build a future which is good for all humanity.
Every religion has myths. (Buddhism is better in this sense compared to Hindu mythology) People cannot dictate others to believe things what other’s want, it has to come from conviction.
Finally Tamils will not get any better by proving that Sinhalese came from moon very recently or the socalled ‘Sinhalese Buddhism’ is inferior to other religions.
Unless they are ready to appreciate the commonness of our people, i.e. Sinhalese & Tamils, they will never find inner peace even if they get Ealam.
One member is telling DBS that this is Tamilnet stuff. Another member is saying this guy must be from Tamil Diaspora. What I believe is TamilNet only publish articles in favour of Eelam/separate state and LTTE and Tamil Diaspora also supports only Eelam/separate state and LTTE.
In this article, I could not find anything such as Eelam or separate state or LTTE.
This author is not telling that the Tamils should separate from the Sinhalese, what he says is how the Tamils can unite with Sinhalese as one Sri Lankan nation.
128. Jayawickrama
Hats off to you Sir.
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118. Leela
Once one joins Mahavihara, he/she becomes a refuge of its traditions. His cast creed or race becomes immaterial. That is how descendent of Vijaya and his 500 or 5000 people become Sinhala.
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Did King Vijaya join Mahavihara upon his arrival from North India?
Does that mean there was Budhism already in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Mahinda?
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Atthakatha means true stories. To say the least to confirm its authenticity, Wilhelm Geiger pointed out that the Dipawamsa and Mahawamsaare the primary sources for ancient South Asian chronology.
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If Athakatha means true stories. Then Ithihasa also means real story.
Ramayana is an Ithihasa. It tells that Rama constructed a bridge to come to Sri Lanka.
That is the Rama sethu.
That means the people from Tamil Nadu could easily come to your island over the land bridge. That also tells that the Tamils were there for a very long time even before the arrival of the King Vijaya.
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Tamils say they are the ancient race in Sri Lanka. They say; they are descendents of Ravana. But Sri Lankan Tamil race and language has no unique features like Sinhala.
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The Sri Lankan Tamil is different in accent to the Indian Tamil. Their Tamil is nice to ears.
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117. Navin
.“absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”
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The same thing applies to the Tamils also. Some body was telling, not you, if the Tamils could produce one stone carving to prove their existence in the island prior to the vijaya then they could accept.
As per your argument the Tamils could benefit as “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”
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[...] – The Mahavamsa mindset: Re-Visiting political Buddhism in Sri Lanka 20.12.2010 – Crimes de guerre : le Sri Lanka fait machine arrière 19.12.2010 – Le Sri [...]
The ‘Mahawansa’ is a historical document that charts the history of Sri Lanka from about 543 BCE and like any historical document written at that time it also envelops myths. (The act of a lion copulating with a human to produce progeny is a biological impossibility). Similar myths abound with regard to the ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’, however unlike these Indian epics there is ample archaeological evidence of the unbroken lineage of the kings and queens of Sri Lanka from that time as elaborated by the ‘Mahawansa’.
Invasions from southern Indian kingdoms and adventurers from time to time did succeed in plundering the wealth of the Sri Lankan kingdoms. However these invasions must be viewed in the historical perspectives of the times. Sri Lankan kings created wealth and this did attract the plunderers who with the exception of Elahara were only there for short periods of time in comparison to 2500 years of Sri Lankan history.
The differences between the present day Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan Tamils is essentially cultural as genealogical studies indicate that the Sri Lankan Tamils are closely related to the Sinhalese than to their so called cultural cousins in Southern India. Spencer Wells the genealogist in his excellent book, ‘The Journey of Man’ indicates that human migration commenced from Sri Lanka to southern India about sixty thousand years ago and not the other way about as it is popularly believed. Coming back to relatively recent times (about 1500 years ago) it must also be noted that invasions do leave behind invaders who themselves undergo cultural change. History will attest that the Indian soldiers from Mogallana’s army settled in Sri Lanka after Kasyappa’s defeat and became culturally Sinhalese. The reverse is also true to a lesser extent where Sinhalese became culturally Tamils.
The significance accorded to Buddhism in Sri Lanka commenced with the conversion of the king ‘Devanampiya Tissa’ who underwent conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism. From that day onwards all Sri Lankan kings upheld the protection of Buddhism in this resplendent isle. Even the last king of Kandy who was a Hindu of Malayalee and Telugu descent ensured that this tradition was upheld.
Finally I disagree with the author to the teaching of the ‘Mahawansa’ in Buddhist temples. As indicated earlier all Sri Lankans look upon the ‘Mahawansa’ as a historical document (even though written by a Buddhist monk and scholar) and to create the myth of the ‘Mahawansa’ mindset is disingenuous.
I believe Buddhism is a universal religon and cannot be limited to any race. The Lord Buddha was born in India whereas Buddhism spread throughout South and East Asia from Afgahnistan to Indonesia and Japan. Hence the premise that the Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka were bestowed a special status by the Lord Buddha cannot be maintained.
Today Sri Lanka has a special place as a bastian of Theravada Buddhism. What should be important is the practice of the princples and precepts laid down by the Lord Buddha. No one can claim superiority simply on the basis of ones race or language.
According to comments I have seen only Dr.Rajasingham Narendran who ever he is have read Mahavansa. I studied 11 years of Buddhism in school and sunday school never knew any of his insights.
The capital period of my intellectual development was when I could see clearly that what the intellect said might be correct and not correct, that what the intellect justified was true and its opposite was also true. I never admitted a truth in the mind without simultaneously keeping it open to the contrary of it.. And the first result was that the prestige of the intellect was gone…”
It does not mater weather you believe Mahawansa,Sinhalavamsa ,Lionvamsa,Tigervamsa . so long as no one uses oe quotes and kill or discriminate ,hate other Humanbeings. you can belive or not any thing but donot disturbe others.
149. Safa ,I believe what Buddha has tought but not what was practiced in Srilanka as or in the name of the Religin of Buddhism. The religion practiced in Srilanka is the Mahavamsa mind set as the author reflected which was the cause of the evil now we see in Srilanka.
http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/the-tamil-buddhists-of-the-past-and-the-future-3402500.html
Comment #144
One does not need any proof to believe in “Sinhalese Buddhism’ is inferior to other religions”
Several pogroms against the un-armed Tamils since the 1956 is ample proof to the above statement!!! Recent Genocidal war which killed thousands of innocent civilians and maimed thousands for life and made them paupers deliberately and still continuing the genocide on a daily basis will substantiat the above statement over and over again!!!!
Still those IDPs are living under the trees worse than animals and being preyed upon by the security forces with the tacit support of the government is proof of the quality of Budhism practiced by the “powerful” in Sri lanka!!! There is no point in going to the vihares and hindu kovils when your deeds are all evil!!!!
Damn no matter what you write sinhala dumb shit heads never ever going to use their tiny little gelly in their damp inside skull. let them know use it never keep it.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyeshowcase/2010/humanjourney/
Oh dear, 152 comments and still only about 10% are actually worth reading. All others (around 70%) are commenting the same thing over and over and going around the mulberry bush. Nobody has given a proper counter argument. As someone said, the author fellow must be ROFLHAO. The dostara (Dr.) seems to know a little bit of something and the Shankar guy is very humorous.
Let me take some random samples to see what our ‘scholars’ are saying.
Let me start with our Madam Leela (my ladies first policy),
Oh dear, she started with “Kshanika Mochanaya” and now having continuous multiple orgasm. As I said earlier, some people have not read the article properly, some people have not understood it, and some people have totally misunderstood it. She is exhibiting all the three symptoms and one more. There is a Sinhala saying, “when asked koheda yanne (where are you going), the other person replies, malle pol (coconut in my bag)” She goes on writing (or rather cut and paste) something totally different from the subject. I do not think even she knows what she is pasting. This is also called “moda choon” (foolish joy) in Sinhala.
Let me take the confused guy (andara demala), as I said he has become more and more confused but his unanswered questions are very clear and genuine. By trying to answer him, kalu albert has dragged him into a black hole. Here is another good one, the ‘J’ guy starts like an all knowing, fully enlightened great scholar and takes the confused guy for a ride like “parangiya kotte giya” (how the Portuguse went to kotte) and finally goes on to say, go and ask a monk. When none of these people can give him a simple direct answer how can we expect a good counter argument from any of them?
Ahh, here is another funny one, the Kosgoda Silva from Kelaniya sound like our dostara Mervyn Silva’s brother.
Jayawickrama, hats off sir, you should be highly commended for telling us the truth. The BEST comment out of all the 152.
Another funny one, the King had “Kshanika Mochanaya” after listening to Jayawickrama, he wants to unite the Sinhalese and Tamils immediately, down to business, no more delay.
I think the author must be a psychology researcher who wants to study the mindset of the Sinhalese and Tamils.
On one side we have Sinhalese with mahawansa mindset
On the other side we have vellala Tamils with prehistoric mindset
Why spend most of our time debating on mahawansa if we know it is fairytales?
This is what I believe,
Siv+hela = sihela which became sihala and sinhala
sivhela = yaksha , naga, raksha and asuras who lived in SL before so called immigration of Vijaya…
Do not believe mahawansa, Forget mahawansa and think of Ramayana, Ravana was a Sinhala.
Sinhala came from SivHela and not from Vijaya.
Damela and Naga came from South India, Vijaya came from North India, but Sinhala (SivHela) did not come from India, we are original Sri Lankans.
#148-merlin van tweest
Even the last king of Kandy who was a Hindu of Malayalee and Telugu descent
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He was of indoaryan stock of north india who settled in andra pradesh and during the vijanagar empire held powerful positions under them and settled all over south india including kerala.. So he is definitely of telugu descent, but how come you mention also malayalee, because he comes from the madurai royal family.Are you merely twisting it a veen bit?
Mahesh said: “Even if the Elara is a foreigner it is said that he had sinhala soldiers with him and Dutu had tamil soldiers with him. Does it not prove that Tamils were living in sri lanka for a very long time.”
When Portuguese washed up to our shores, there were Sinhalas that worked for them. When the Dutch had chased Portuguese and took over there were Sinhalas that worked for them. When English took over from the Dutch there were Sinhala worked for them. Does that mean the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English were living in Sri Lanka from ancient times? No.
PLEASE REVEAL FULL DETAILS ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE REASONS FOR YOUR REQUEST. PLEASE SEND ME YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER ALSO
YOU CAN e-MAIL THIS TO ME AT dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com
AFTER I RECEIVE IT I WILL CONTACT YOU AND SEE WHETHER YOUR REQUEST IS INDEED A GENUINE ONE OR WITH AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE
THEREAFTER WE CAN PROCEED TO THE NEXT LEVEL
THANK YOU
D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Fact 1 – Mahavamsa has never been considered as a Buddhist scripture in Sri Lanka nor has been taught as such in Daham Pasala. There is a recommended curriculum for Daham Pasal and YMBA conducts examinations based on this curriculum up to grade 9. Nowhere, Mahavamsa has been recommended as a Buddhist scripture and taught or examined in such a context. Govt Eamination Dept conducts the final Daham Pasal exam around grade 10 and again Mahavamsa does not form part of Buddhist scriptures in the teaching.
Therefore the assertion ” whereas in Sri Lanka the ‘Mahavamsa,’ which was written by one of the Mahavihara monks (Ven. Mahanama) more than 1000 years after the passing away of Lord Buddha is also considered as a part of the Buddhist scriptures.” is totally incorrect and a fabrication.
Fact 2 – Mahavamsa primarily deals with the history of the country’s kingdoms and a chronicle of it’s kings. It has a Buddhist flavour because the primary religion of the country was Buddhism from King Devanam Piya Tissa era.
Therefore, the assertion of “the mythical Buddhist history (Mahavamsa)” is also false and a fabrication
Fact 3 – Sinhala race has evolved with in Sri Lanka with a unique language. Sinhalese trace this evolution to the ancient tribes who lived in Sri Lanka, called Yakka, Naga, Deva & Rakshasa as the earlier four (sew) Hela tribes (sew+hela). Accordingly Sinhalese accept Ravan as one of their earliest forefathers. Sinhalese also accept the Mahavansa interpretaion of a transformation taken place with the arrival of Vijaya and his followers who assimilated in to the evolving Sinhala race. It is logical to assume that early Tamil settlers also may have assimilated themselves in to this indigeneous race.
The claim “there was NO Sinhala race/tribe in Sri Lanka until the Mahavihara monks created it in the 5th century AD.” is extraordinary (yet some bloggers seem to believe such rubbish)!! Any student would know that a race cannot be created by someone be it ven. Mahanama or anyone else. The evolution of Sinhala race and language was a natural process and Buddhism provided a key idealogical base/glue for this nation to evolve around. Pali and Sanskrit versed Buddhist monks provided the knowledge base in developing the language. Sinhalese are rightly proud of this history as corroborated by Mahavamsa and numerous archealogical evidence.
Fact 4 – Accordingly Sinhalese accept the lineage of kings as chronicled in Mahavamsa from Panduwasdew (and corroborated by archealogical evidence) as their historical lineage (be they Naga, Rakshasa or any other as those early tribes are their very own forefathers).
Tamils NEVER have identified themselves with this lineage prefering to remain separate.
Fact 5 – Though Mahavamsa etc. mentions Tamil soldiers fighting under Sinhala kings against invading South Indians, there is NO record of a Sri Lankan Tamil chief fighting against an invading South Indian army.
This provides the basis for the thinking that Tamils always aligned themselves with the invaders against the indigeneous Sinhala population. It is similar to what the dispora does nowadays. Prince Gemunu’s famous quote from his crouching stance in his bed as a young boy that he cannot sleep comfortably with stretched arms because of Demalas from North and the vast ocean from the South clearly depicts the predicament of the indigeneous Sinhala nation for more than 1,000 years and the genuine threat perception they have.
The most recent history of ethic cleansing in the North by the separatist forces spearheaded by the terrorist LTTE has greatly amplified this threat perception.
Fact 6 – There was NO recorded Tamil kingdom in the country until the 12-13th century. If Tamils lived as a sizeable or dominant community in the country, we would have seen Saiva/Tamil cities in the same scale of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and both these great cities wouldn’t have been dominated by Buddhists.
If one is genuinely interested in understanding the Sinhala psyche, one needs to follow the above facts and not the fabrications uttered in the article.
The so called “Mahavamsa Mindset” is based on these facts. Accordingly, Sinhala is a nation evolved by comming together of all those who lived in this country except perhaps the latter day invaders and the indentured labour brought by Western colonialists.
# 63 Rasika
“I can’t imagine a monk teaching little children to differentiating demala and sinhala,”
Not demala but Thamizhar
Thiruarangan
# 108 srilankan true
My proposal for the future is, let us all sinhalese-tamils live peacefully together as Sri Lankan… Let each person decides what they will assimilate into or not… When 12 living among 78 it will have to be inlfuenced by the rules of natural justice..
Tamils might have lots to learn by looking at Muslim communities living all around Sri Lanka without getting themselves distanced or hidden in ethnic enclaves.
In the past sinhalese lived in jaffna and other N/E regions had to learn tamil to survive over there, so let it apply to tamils living in sinhalese majority areas too.
Once the tamils have the ability to get their things done in their own language, but not limiting/isolating only to it all the time, the most part of the problems faced by the tamils is over. Cos other historical situations never apply anymore.
Tamils must realise, the actual problems they had with sinhalese were not what was preached by LTTE. Due to fear at LTTE tamils used to think in that manner compatible with them, true. But when LTTE is no more tamils cannot justify what you were taught in terms of real grievences as they existed thanks to the gun culture of LTTE only.
What a courage you have DBSJ ! You have put your hand inside the snake pit of SL politics for the good of the people.
You are like the ” Padayappa ” the hero in the box office cinema super star Rajani.
This is just one act of Padayappa and hope more things to are to come later you win ultimately without submitting to the “Neelambari ” the extremist southern cousin and her evil family members.
@ 134. J
Thankyou for all your effort in replying to my post, but still it is not very clear, again everything looks Andera demala to me. I am living outside Sri Lanka, I have no access to any monks but when I asked most of my Buddhist friends, they are also not very sure, each one is giving different contradicting answers, nobody is giving a direct answer.
I want to prove what this author has written is not true but my knowledge in very limited so I need help from some people who have good knowledge.
I know that Mahawamsa is not a part of Theravada Buddhism, the only scriptures of Theravada Buddhism is Tipitaka. This author is saying, in Sri Lanka the Sinhala-Buddhists are using both Tipitaka and Mahawamsa as Buddhist scriptures and since both are written in Pali, the Sinhala-Buddhists do not know to distinguish between the two.
I have never read the Mahavamsa but I have heard from many people, many Sinhala-Buddhists saying the Mahavamsa cannot be believed because it has too many unbelievable stories, like myths, fantasies, superstitions and fables. Two years ago, I watched (CDs) the wonderful Bana preached by the late most respected Ven. Gangodawila soma Thero. Even he does not have a good opinion about the Mahavamsa, he says it is all excegarrated and some stories are not very true. He also says the Buddhists should not worship the Hindu Gods such as Vishnu and Katharagama. After listening to him, I totally stopped believing in the Mahavamsa .
I checked the internet and found that Lord Buddha passed away (attained MahapariNibbana) in the 5th century BC. The Mahavamsa was written in the 5th century AD (almost 1000 years after Lord Buddha). Therefore, we cannot believe if anybody write about the activities of Lord Buddha that took place 1000 years after if it is not written down somewhere and if it is written down somewhere it should be only in the Buddhist scriptures Tipitika and not in Mahavamsa.
My question is, if the verse below is said by Lord Buddha, then it should be in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures Tipitaka and not in the Mahavamsa as this author is saying. Until now I believe that this is true but can someone clarify if this is in Tipitaka or Mahavamsa?
“My doctrine, O Sakka, will eventually be established in the Island of Lanka, and on this day, Vijay the eldest son of Singha Bahu king of Sinhapura in the Lata country lands there with 700 followers and will assume sovereignty there. Do thou, therefore guard well the prince and his train and the Island of Lanka. On receiving the blessed one’s command, Sakka summoned God Vishnu and said, ‘Do thou. O lotus-hued one, protect with zeal prince Vijay and his followers and the doctrine that is to endure in Lanka for a full five thousand years’.”
My next question is, I believe that Sri Lanka is a Buddha’s blessed land and he visited 3 times and his 3 visits are mentioned clearly in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures Tipitaka and not in the Mahavamsa as this author is saying. Can someone clarify if this is in Tipitaka or Mahavamsa? (If it is only in Mahavamsa and if there is no archeological evidence, then all what we believed so far is a myth, oh God!).
Please, I need a direct answer from someone who is well educated in this subject. This author says we are confused with and unable to distinguish the difference between Tipitaka and Mahavamsa, we have to prove him wrong.
Are there any evidence to prove the Mahavansa mentality before the European rule?
No… not at all.
Sri Lankan and S/Indian Royals were relatives. They had fights for their property. But the current racist minded politicos interpret the OLD incidents as Sinhala and Tamil now.
Only relatives will fight for the property rights.
But the current Sinhala/Tamil politicians find an easy way to catch the votes. It is not based on history but the cheap racism and hate.
What is our historical knowledge and cultural connections between Tamils and Sinhalese?
If Sinhalese think SRI LANKA is only for Sinhalese using Maha Vansa, they are real fools because Mahavansa was written by a TAMIL Pallava Royal member.
Better do a research on the circumstances why a TAMIL monk wrote Mahavansa in support of Sri lankan kings!
Hela (#163)
“Fact 3 – Sinhala race has evolved with in Sri Lanka with a unique language. Sinhalese trace this evolution to the ancient tribes who lived in Sri Lanka, called Yakka, Naga, Deva & Rakshasa as the earlier four (sew) Hela tribes (sew+hela). Accordingly Sinhalese accept Ravan as one of their earliest forefathers.”
How do you define race? To me race is a distinct ethnic stock (Caucasian, Mongolian etc.). Do the Sinhalese look different phenotypically from the Tamils and other South Indians ? The Tamils also believe that they originated from the Nagas. DNA studies are proving that the Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka are more akin to each other than others in the region.
Why have you not included the Tamils among those you have listed as having contributed to the Sinhala stock?
The Karawa, Duruwe, Salagama castes who are Sinhalese now, were originally from South India- Tamils, Malayalese and Telungus.
Sinhala is a unique language! Have you compared the Sinhala script with the Telungu and other related scripts in South india. I can read Telungu, because I am familiar with the Sinhala script. Do you know that Tamil and Sinhala share thousands of common words and have similar grammatical structure?
Do you know the Tamils in South India worship Ravana? Do you know that even before the Hela Urumaya claimed a Ravan descent for the Sinhalese, the Tamils considered him and his tribe so.
Let us find a unity in our diversity and respect each other and our achievements as a people. If we believe we are unique, we are fooling ourselves and creating conditions for further divisiveness.
-Dr. Rajasingham Narendran-
#158-fernando
Let me start with our Madam Leela (my ladies first policy),Oh dear, she started with “Kshanika Mochanaya” and now having continuous multiple orgasm
————————————–
Leela is not a woman , but a man.Previouly in another article that was exposed and admitted by him. Therefore he is unable to enjoy multiple orgasms. What happens generally to leela is he is like the man who pays a thousand rupees to put it in and has to pay 10000 rupees to take it out because the woman contracts the vaginal muscles and he is stuck until he coughs up. believe it or not it happens in some parts of the world and leela is one of those unfortunate men who struggles to extricate himself with further and further comments.
Take ten Sri Lankans, and we have ten different features.
The features we have are Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian,
Indian, European, African, Arabic etc. but we have adopted the Sinhala language and have become Sinhalese.
Therefore, as a small island we have become a great melting pot.
#158-fernando,
Great evaluation by a fellow reader
FYI I have read Mahavamsa in difference version eg. http://mahavamsa.org/ http://lakdiva.org/mahavamsa/
Also I have read lots of article of Tamils/ Saivates existence in the Land of Lanka but need of this hour is to unit both the communities.
I see that Sinhalese and Tamils are much related to each other than Tamils and Europeans/ north Indian or Sinhalese and Chinese/ North Indians.
I believe the sole objective of DBSJ and this website is to find ways and means to unite our communities and our motherland. I can find millions of faults to criticize almost all comments but can we achieve anything? may be we also add some fuel to the burning fire.
Come join us, appreciate each other and find similarity between our communities, as we both call our mothers AMMA and rebuild our motherland.
I guess I have cleared my point.
I also do not agree with some of the things this author has written but there are a lot of facts in his article. Most of the replies/comments here are only emotional outbursts and cry but no solid arguments. A very few people like Hela are at least coming up with something but still very poor and weak arguments. Since I have read the Mahavamsa to a certain extent (anyway not as much as Dr.Rajasingham narendran) I think I can comfortably argue with Hela.
163. Hela
As per your Fact 1, nothing from Mahavamsa is taught at the Daham schools in Sri Lanka. In that case, Buddha’s 3 visits to Sri Lanka should not be taught at the Daham schools because it is only mentioned in the Mahavamsa. Are you telling that Buddha’s 3 visits to Sri Lanka are not talked about in the Daham schools in Sri Lanka? Please be precise (do not beat around the bush).
Using your Fact 1 and Fact 2, can you answer the questions asked by # 167. Srilal.
Fact3 first part
I cannot understand what you are saying here. The Mahavamsa very clearly says (see the article)
“But the king Sihabahu, since he had slain the lion (was called) Sihala and, by reason of the ties between him and them, all those (followers of VIJAYA) were also (called) Sihala.”
You are mixing up this with Siv+hela. Looks like you are confused, do not know which version is correct where as # 159. Lalith is straight away contradicting the above Mahavamsa statement and is believing only in the Siv+hela = sihela which became sihala and sinhala.
The good doctor Rajasingham has given you some explaination for Fact 3 second part so let me deal with the first part. Also for # 159. Lalith.
Why do you think that the four tribes Deva, Naga, Yakka, Rakhsasa became Sinhalese? These same tribes were also living in India according to Ramayana. Why cannot we think that they became Demala?
I would like to ask you from where do you get this concept of Siv+hela? Is it the words Siv (four) and Hela the reason for your thinking? The two words Siv and Hela got together and became sihela which became sihala and finally sinhala and therefore Sinhalese are the ancient people of Sri Lanka because Siv+Hela = Sinhala. Can you present any piece of evidence to show that the concept of siv-hela used anywhere in Sri Lankan History/literature or any of the ancient inscriptions? There is no such rule in Sinhala grammar to derive siv+hela to sinhala. If it is so then Kav+pela should become Kanpela, Pav+hala should become panhala or pansala and so on. You are creating more and more new histories.
Fact 4, I think Dr.Rajasingham has answered this.
Fact 5, this author is saying there is no mention of any Sinhala kings until the Kotte and Kandyan kingdoms were established in 12-13th century. He says, none of the Kings of Anuradapura/Polonarawa were called Sinhala kings, they were either Nagas or Demalas. First you have to find evidence to prove that this is wrong and then we can talk about the rest.
Why do you think that the Tamils are only Saiva/Hindus? In Tamil Nadu even today Tamils are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Janis.
Why don’t you think that there were Tamil Buddhists during the Anuradapura/Polonarawa period? I think you should read about Tamil Buddhists.
If you read the Mahavamsa, King Dutugemunu had to conquer not just one Tamil king (Elara) but 32 Tamil Chieftains around the Anuradhapura principality alone. How could there be 32 Tamil chieftains in the area of Anuradhapura alone, if there were no Tamils or Tamil settlements? Similarly, King Valgambha had to fight seven Pandian chieftains to reassume sovereignty at Anuradhapura. If you read the book written by Robert Knox, when he escaped from prison, he had to go through several places and when he came to Anuradapura, he says it was fully occupied by Tamils (NOT Sinhalese). That means even recently, during the 17th century AD (colonial period) Anuradapura was inhabited by Tamils. Many Tamil place names in Anuradapura even today revels the above fact.
Dear Mr.Samarasekara
Please do not threaten me. Many have tried to intimidate me and failed.
DBS Jeyaraj
Thanks DBSJ. So far you helped refine the Sri Lankan Politics.
Now you are helping us refine the Buddhism by discussing number of interpretations including Mahawamsa side of the story.
I recently heard that there is no caste discrimination within Tamil community; since the very distinction of humans to a ladder of castes is part of Hinduism.
Hence “caste” discrimination or otherwise is, part of the Tamil culture.
When will you enlighten us on this caste topic?
Yes and I can read Sanskrit because I undestand Sinhala!
Ravans wife is worshiped in Rajastan
Not just kara, Dura but Vijaya also bought women and mercinaries from madurai
Thus this inclusiveness needs to be respecte by Tamils as well without giving the idea that Tamils are some kind of better and innocent lot, unlike the Sinhalas (Muslims) in their only homeland
Sinhalas have not claimed or seeked damages for those areas such as Kannyakumari India fo the extermination of them in times gone by
The fact remains little Lanka with its 12 million who have no other ideology than that of preserving there threatened existance from the 60 to 90 million from Tami-nadu to expanded regions/countries are knolegable that their right to not being sollowed up by Tamil this, tamil that and tamil expansion and historical genocide without the Sihala cause and refusal of this said people and Buddism from extinction. To that end we have sucesseeded and Lanka has and is the last bastion of Buddist and native spirit from being dialuted into oblivian by Tamil supremacist ideology, consider that with Tami-nadu.
These fellows have already paid a huge price now even their central hills are populated by Brit introduced Tmils due to their refusal to work in tea/coffee plantations as labourers/slaves for foreigners. A rare and remarkable feat by any standard in the array of the mighty British imperial exansion !!
However these central hill Tamils are not (not yet) possed with Tamil supemacist, Tamil over Lanka and Tamil expansion ideology. Considered low cast by this high society Tamils they seek a more friendly inclusive mentality, at least for now.
In UK it is just now they have started to debate whether it is right/ok for schools to have the Christian (yes only Christian) asembly before start of school that has been in existance. Many feel it is necessary as part of the heritage, regardles whether you are Hindu, Tamil, Buddist, Muslim.or original PAGAN !
Native Americans/Australians dont have much of a say in their only homeland!
We dont need to give too much regard to the speciality of Buddism/Lankan criticism by these Tamil hi-scholars and their vested interests. At lest we have a written lineage and account, every historical account anywhere in the world throughout human history is subject to some adding and subtractions.
These fellows either have no historical literature to counter our herritage, that is why they are merely critical, the earliest Tami lits: Sangam recognize Nagadeepa, etc as Buddist sites !
These fellows are also unable to be critiques of Tamil, Christian and Hindu ideology / mythology !!!
How that !
Yes dont just worship Ram from Ayodya/Central India but also Ravan from Lanka, like we do, also do not hesitate to worship his Rajastani wife! Hanuman is also worshiped Kovils the man/beast who bought Lanka to ashes!
Hi DBS,
This is a story masquerading as history and fact. Unfortunately the “facts” are full of holes.
The writer loses his credibility right at the beginning when he says that we Sri Lankan Buddhists regard Mahavansa as part of the Buddhist scriptures. That is total nonsense. I know no Buddhist who regards the Mahavansa as part of Buddhist scriptures.
He says, that Mahavansa is taught in Sunday schools. Wrong again. No Sunday school that I know teaches Mahavansa as part of their curriculum. Never has and never does. Not only that, Mahavansa is not taught as a text in normal school curriculum. It is used only as a document to cross reference historical story of Sri Lanka.
Some few hard-line fundamentalists Buddhists may believe that they are direct descendents of Gowthama Buddha, but certainly not the majority. That “fact” was never taught in any school that I know of.
King Tissa of 2nd century was a Hindu worshipper? Where is the evidence?
Mahavansa was written by the Ven Mahanama to protect Buddhism and CREATE Sinhalese? Where is the evidence? This is pure speculation without facts to back up. If this was true, this would be the first time in human history that a complete race and a language was created by one person.
The writer says that Mahavansa glorifies the Elara-Dutugamunu episode. May be so, but rightly because it was an important event in Lanka’s history. However, the writer conveniently forgets to mention that the same chronicle that supposes to portrait the Demelas as invaders goes to great length to portrait Elara as a most humane king.
The writer loses the complete plot when he says that Buddhist children are brainwashed by engraving Mahavansa from a very young age.
It is very clear what this writer is up to. As a number of people tried to do before him, he is trying to come up with a good reason and justification for separation of Sri Lanka. As everyone knows, most of the previous reasons for justifying a separate country – things like discrimination based on language, equal access to jobs and education, can be very easily rectified and are being rectified. However, if one argues that there is something in Sinhalese psyche which makes us think that we are superior to the Tamils, that is more serious – and then the separatists are justified, as they can argue that Sinhalese and Tamils will never live together peacefully.
I would like to challenge this writer to prove his credibility by proving the readers with his credentials and provide references to his so called facts. If he has any shred of pride on his scholarship, he should respond to the questions and comments that a number of readers have posted.
The above one for Dr 169 !
The bellow for RAJA 141, good one!
So then it is easy for these so called NON RACIST Ceylon Tamils to take up Sinhala cause, (with this 55%) without much problems !
I like this article. further Rajapakshe family kept the names of waariors went to fight tamils. I wish to ad few points here.
1. dutugemunu lost to ellara two times, and he resorted to help from south indian Pandiya kings, who were tamils and were against chola regime. ellara belonged to chola vamsa. so pandiyas helped dutugemunu. out of the nine generals dutugemunu tokk to fight ellara, seven were tamils. Mahavamsa evidences this. KOTAN ABAYAN, is the gotabaya today. Mahinthan, Pasilan etc. pasilan is basil. LTTE had a famous Mortar named Basilan in memorial of their commander PASILAN. so all these tamil Genrals and there cadres were settled in Kalutara, Matara, and Galle. even today many families in Galle, call themself as Malayalis. Panandura was pananthurai, and there a placed called nallur, has changed today as nalluruwa.
there are many historical evidneces which sinhala people refuse to accept, but by heart they know it.
lets be happy that today rulers all three of them carrying the traditional tamil names, Mhinthan, Gotan Abayan, and Pasilan.
Skantha
If Sinhalese claims they are Aryan descents; they are automatically recognizing them as invaders to the Island. From the readings here and elsewhere, I believe Sinhalese are nothing but Dravidian descents and Tamils or athi-dravidians are their direct ancestors. I strongly believe the great King Ravanan is our King (unified Tamil-Sinhalese race called Vedar or athi-dravidar) and our ancestor. Although, I am a Hindu, I have slightly different view toward Ramayanam due to my Dravidian blood. When comparing Sinhalese I see them more Dravidians than the Sanskritinized Tamils. If we go back to the real Tamil villages in Tamil Nadu and also in Sri Lanka, there are so many things we can directly connect with each other. From Tamil Parai-Drum to Sinhala Drum, Kandiyan dance to Theruk-Koothu all are directly related, and hardly can see any differences. This could be because almost all the Queens of Sri Lanka are from Tamil cultural city of Madurai or Pandiyan Kingdom.
In my opinion, Sanskrit influenced enough to divide the Tamils lived in the mountain to the west cost (or Cheran Tamils) to form Malayalam. And Pali influenced enough to divide the Tamils lived in the mountain to the south cost to form Sinhala. Malayalee friends consider themselves as Bramaputhiras or Bramin/Arya decent, they are proud to use Sankrit more than Tamil words. It is interesting to compare them with Sinhala friends, who consider themselves as Pumiputiras and Arya decent, proud to use Pali more than Tamil words (Actually I believe Sinhala has more Dravidian words than Aryan). Both Malayalam and Sinhala have strong Tamil root and the reality is that if try to cut/clean the root (Tamil out of Malayalam and Sinhala) both tree will die itself.
I believe this all happened because repeated missionaries imposed Sanskrit then Pali onto Tamils as religious languages and documented all in those respective languages. This is a clear lesson for us to translate all Sanskrit text to Tamil and use Tamil instead of Sanskrit in Temples to avoid further division within us. It is good that Bible was translated into people’s native tongue instead of using Hebrew, Latin or some western leagues. Otherwise, when European invaded us and converted some of us to Christianity there would have been another race such as *Dutch*lam, *Portuges*lam or *Ahnki*lam race within Tamils. Like Sanskrith influenced Tamil to form *Malaya*lam, Pali influenced Tamil to form *Sinha*lam and we can clearly see the new race evolving within Tamils by English infusing Tamil to Form *Ahnki*lam. For some reason we Tamils get pleasure in using foreign words…
Let us respect each other, their heritage, language and culture and feel that we are all same [Athi Vedar Ravana Vamsam:)], stop killing each other, this will definitely help to build the nation.
Wishing for a happy and prosperous new year to all of us!
#169. Rajasingham Narendran…
I agree completely with the general direction and tone of your comment and all you say about unity (I cannot agree with you more there) but not your claim that Sinhala is not a unique language. You are lucky that you can read Sinhala, I envy you! Despite dying to learn Tamil when I was a child of about 12, I did not have an opportunity to do so because of the stupidity of only teaching Tamil to Tamils and Sinhala to Sinhalese in our school system. I went to a Sinhala school so there was no Tamil in our school, and living in Colombo, I didn’t learn it from association either as you would in a more Tamil-spoken area. I begged every day for about a month from the only Muslim girl who was in my grade 6 class (we didn’t have any Tamil students) to teach me a Tamil word a day, even bribing her with books and such, but she refused outright wanting to keep her knowledge to herself without sharing. I was too young and not world-wise enough to realize that I could have asked my parents to send me for tuition for Tamil. As it was I did not know anything about tuition at that time. After a while, not having the resources available, I sadly gave up on my quest and desire to learn Tamil. As an adult I don’t have the same aptitude or the time to lean other languages as I did as a child. I regret to this day that I did not have the opportunity to learn Tamil. Honestly I wish all eduction was changed to English in Sri Lanka while teaching EVERYONE both Sinhala and Tamil as well.
Sinhala is a unique language the same way English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese are all unique languages as well. Just because they have the same root language and use the same roman alphabet and have similar words does not mean they aren’t unique languages. And they have a lot more in common with each other and use the same Roman script than Sinhala does with any present day Indian language. But no sane person is foolish enough to challenge that they are not unique languages. Of course they are all unique languages. According to your logic on Sinhala not being unique, then all of these European languages aren’t unique either. Of present day languages, Sinhala is closest to Divehi, and Divehi is closest to Sinhala. Divehi is the language of Malidves. But it would be insane to say Divehi is not a unique language.
Sinhala IS a unique language, because it has changed from its origins and added many influences from many quarters to form its own language. This only happens when a language has evolved geographically separated from its root language/s for thousands of years. Sinhala has many influences. A lot of Sinhala originates from Pali and Sanskrit, and has a large influence from Portuguese as well. So yes, Sinhala shares some things in common with Tamil and other South Indian languages only because the said languages also has influences from Sanskrit and other languages we share in common as our root langues. This is evidence of Sinhala, Tamil and other South Indian languages having Sanskrit influences, among others, NOT evidence that Sinhala directly evolved from Tamil or any other South Indian language. Sinhala received what it has in common with South Indian languages not via South India, but via north and middle India.
Sinhala has thousands of words, entire phrases and word structures common with HIndi as well. And HIndi is not a South Indian language. Anyone who has traveled to Mumbai (Bombay) even on a vacation knows how close Sinhala is to Marathi and other languages of that region. Here is just one example: “eka” meaning “1″ is the same in Marathi and Sinhala. When you are around Marathi speakers in Mumbai you hear them use words we use in Sinhala all the time. Sometimes enough to understand what they are saying. When Hindi or Marathi is written using the Roman (English) alphabet, a Sinhala person can understand a surprisingly large number of words and phrases.
The specialists on world language (scholars who have devoted their entire lives to studying the evolution of world languages) have deemed Sinhala an Indo-Aryan Language which belongs to the Indo-Iranian Language Group (also known as the Aryan Languages) which in turn is a sub-sect of the Indo-European Language family. (The term ‘Aryan Languages’ was widely used until recently when secret lobbying by Israel and Jewish people in the West intent on stripping all reference to Swastika and Aryan in Indian and South Asian heritage and religions had the the term changed to ‘Indo-Iranian languages.’) This further independently supports the Sinhala pepole’s history that we descend from the Aryans. Sinhala people referred to themselves until very recently as “Arya-Sinhala”. The use of the word Sinhala alone, sans Arya is a very recent development, within the last century. Even today you will hear many elders refer to our customs etc. as Arya Sinhala. Arya is the Sinhala word for Arayan. Kids get admonished by their grandmothers to conform to “Arya-Sinhala sirith/a” (Sirith or siritha = customs). Aryans came to India from ancient pre-Islamic Iran, and the Sinhala language’s history, and classification with Indo-Arayan languages and Indo-Iranian (Aryan) languages all confirm and support the Sinhala race’s history as claimed by the Sinhala people.
A map of Indo-Aryan languages clearly shows that they are spread across the entire North and Central India and most of Sri Lanka (sans the Northernmost North-Easternmost strip).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Aryan_languages
One can confirm these in any respected publication on the history and evolution of world languages, published by world scholars on language history. However, they are large volumes of work, technical, and not of interest to persons not studying or working in that field (mostly academics) and therefore not found in an average homes for reference. You can get a brief over-view on Wikipedia which is an easy resource accessible by millions over the internet, however if one needs to verify these claims further, one can easily refer to scholastic works by world language evolution and etymology experts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Aryan_languages
The sinhala script has its roots in the Brahmi script. It is believed by scholars that Brahmi was the script used to write Pali in ancient India. It is also the script that King Asoka of India’s edicts and monuments are written in. In Sri Lanka Pali was widely used for writing the Mahavamsa, witing the Tipitaka and other scholastic and historic study and writing. Like in most countries and cultures, in Sri Lanka too the bulk of writing would have been limited to religious writing during ancient times, thus the written language being almost synonymous with the religious language. It is clear that Brahmi (the Pali script) was the script used to write Sinhala originally and evolved into the present day script over time. The Sinhala of yester-year was also extremely close to Pali, evolving into the present-day Sinhala over the passage of centuries.
No expert in the field of history of world language and evolutions claims that Sinhala is directly related to or a descendant of any South Indian language. Any similarities were received directly via North and Central India and not via South India.
As for us looking alike, of course we do! I’ve always said that if our DNA were analyzed most of us in Sri Lanka is a nice mixture of Sinhala, Tamil, Moor, Malay, Portuguese, Danish, English, Scottish and Irish. This is not only for Sinhala people, this is also true for Tamils in Sri Lanka, just as you claim. There are many reasons, one is that race in Sri Lanka is determined by law by the father’s race (as is any claims to Sri Lankan citizenship, anyone who believes that they received citizenship in Sri lanka because they were born in Sri Lanka or from their parents is completely mistaken by common assumption, one gets it from their father and father alone.) Therefore, all of those inter-racial marriages over centuries produced, Sinhala, Tamil, Burgher, Moor and Malay people determined by their father’s race, but having many mixed ancestry. That’s why Moors don’t look like Arabs anymore, and Malays don’t look like Malays, and Burghers don’t look like white Europeans and Sinhala people don’t look like Iranians and Tamils who’ve lived in Sri Lanka for many centuries (as opposed to the millions of Tamils that came to Sri Lanka in the last couple of centuries and still have close relatives that they can identify in Tamil Nadu) don’t look like Tamil Nadu Tamils. Another reason is that most Tamils who came to Sri Lanka several centuries ago assimilated into Sinhalese which you also seem to indicate in your comment. One can tell by many Sinhala last names that there were many such assimilations. This was not a racial issue by the way, no one held a gun to their head, this happened all over the world during those times as the natural process of migration in smaller numbers. This is also reason why Sinhala people did not accept the LTTE claim that they have been in Sri Lanka for 700 or 1500 years or whatever number they claimed at different times, not to mention that Prabharkaran himself had a father who was born and raised in Singapore until he was an adult. While it is true that Tamils came to Sri Lanka many centuries ago, most of them are assimilated into the Sinhala race. Most of the Tamils in North-East came more recently, within the last couple of centuries even though they claim they’ve been here for several centuries as claimed by the LTTE. Yes they absolutely have a right to live in Sri Lanka as equals, even if they came more recently but as much of other LTTE propanda, there was much mixing and changing of the truth concocted to serve a hidden agenda, which often even contradicte their own statements from week to week or month to month. About very 7 or 8 out of 10 Tamils I know in Sri Lanka have relatives in Tamil Nadu. Sometimes even as close as cousins. How is this possible if they came to Sri Lanka 700 or 1500 years ago? Notice I say ‘most’ not ‘all.’ Also know that I don’t have any problem with any Tamil living in Sri Lanka as equal citizens. I don’t like them distorting our history or spreading propaganda and insulting our religion, and I believe our borders should be secured because Sri Lanka is geographically small and we are already over-populated and cannot afford any more mass migrations from a 70-million strong Tamil Nadu population, or migration from anywhere else for that matter. But I fully support equality for all people including women of all races. Women’s equality is the main reason I am opposed to race-specific areas in Sri Lanka, be it Sinhala in the south, Tamil in the North or Moor or Muslim in the East. It is not a secret that women in the North, East or South where racial segregation is more prevalent are at a severe disadvantage than women of any race or religion living in mixed-race regions such as Colombo. It is much easier to trap women in centuries-old customs and racial and religious nonsense when they live in segregated societies.
So since we are so mixed perhaps we should call ourselves Sri Lankan (Lankan would be even better, where did we get the Sri part? Lanka was the term used prior to European invasions, there was no ‘Sri’ then) and abolish all races. I hear that that is what President Rajapakse plans to do! My only concern is that then we will only be divided by religion. Which in the future can become a worse problem that racial division. Unlike race, religious division is protected and sanctioned by all international groups stemming from the notion of religious freedom. It is also not a secret that most of the wars fought in world history were fought over religion. That is the only thing that worries me about making a Lanka that is only divided by religion. I hope we are not jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Quote: “Let us find a unity in our diversity and respect each other and our achievements as a people. If we believe we are unique, we are fooling ourselves and creating conditions for further divisiveness.” End quote.
Sinhala IS a unique language just as Tamil is. Just because this is so does not make us racist or against other races. It is obvious that Tamil and Sinhala ARE two different languages evolving from two completely different areas of India and if you want to go even further into history Sinhala language and people evolved from ancient Iran. Sinhala evolved mainly from Aryan languages and later of Buddhist influence through Pali and Tamil from Tamil in Tamil Nadu which is one of the ancient languages of the world by itself. Tamil in Sri Lanka did not become a unique and seperate from Tamil in Tamil Nadu because of continuing influence from Tamil Nadu. Because of the many influences coming together Sinhala did become a unique language which is natural when languages are geographically separated for thousands of years from their origins. The Sinhala script is completely related to and evolved from the ancient Pali script of Brahmi. Telugi is also related to Brahim, and thus the similarities. Knowing or accepting these do not prevent us from doing everything else you say in the above quote. I cannot agree and support you more! This is how I have always felt and still do, except that I wish to see women treated equally as well. We are so bothered by racial equality (which is good, but not enough!) but if one looks carefully one can see that racial equality in Sri Lanka is a lot more advanced (even surpassing most Western countries in things like representation in the Government (which was true for Tamils too if the Tamils and LTTE didn’t assassinate all the the Tamils in the Government thus eliminating the ones who were in the Government and scaring new Tamils from joining and to my utter dismay and grief to this day, killing the most brilliant Tamil statesmen and minds of our time)) than the equality of sexes. We must also afford people of modern equalities such as equality for GLBT community. Now that would me modern equality and a modern country.
# 128 Jayawickrama
Very nice thoughts Mr/Mrs jayawickrama
“The only people we should blame for all these mess is our dirty politicians from both sides”.
But, if we’re to blame we have a far worse person to blame that most of scholars/academics nowadays conveniently forget to. True both sinhalese-tamil politicians made the path to separatist struggle, but it is none other than “V. Prabhakaran” who should be blamed for what he has poisonously planted by force in even moderate tamil peoples’ minds.
30 years under Prabhakaran’s iron fist means, it has helped most of the tamils to get brainwashed of some fake grievences that they never had, before LTTE started getting rid of other less extremist tamil rebel groups.
VP who had enough chances to get a far better deal not because of real grievances exist, but thanks to his militory superiority that then SL leaders couldn’t effectively deal with, purposefully avoid those opportunities in personal greed to become the king of a tamil state.
VP is the rise and fall of tamil grievances, therefore SL should not take much consideration into his so-called freedom struggle when addressing real tamil issues. It is pathetic to see a great educated intelligent community group called SL tamils have ended up in the mindset that Velvetithurai bicycle thief aka VP has forcefully created in them, even after his death.
This is a fine example of “Any lie can be a truth if chanted 1000 times” and a failed attempt to rewrite the history of SL.
It is very unlikely that Lord Buddha ever came to Sri Lanka as these visits are never mentioned in any Indian buddhist scriptures. He spent his while life in modern day India/ Nepal. It is a form of wishful thinking in the collective conscience of our country’s Buddhist anscestors.
However, there are many other things in the Mahavamsa which will probably be repetition of statements of fact or common or perceived knowledge. That it was written by a buddhist monk will obviously mean that Buddhism and its patrons will get the most mention.
Mahavamsa bashing was always a way of denying our history, culture and religion and that is why the Tigers and their supporters were into it in a big way.
Whereas there is something to be said of us sinhalese having something called a Mahavamsa mindset that we must ourselves subdue, be it must be viewed in the context of the many foreign invasions, both ancient and modern, both spiritual and cultural, that our island has faced.
“146. Mahesh | December 28th, 2010 at 8:52 am
128. Jayawickrama
Hats off to you Sir.”
Mahesh you should also take your hats off to
143 Kosgoda. AHMEN
Oh dear, the year is coming to an end, still the country did not progress well towards Sinhala/Tamil unity, the King on this blog should meet the real king (Rajaano) and make him come out of ignorance. I have too much raajakaariya (work) I will come back later to see how our great ‘scholars’ are doing.
Sri Lanka must be the only country where the hatred between the indigenous people of the country is encouraged. Whetther in political forum or religious forum or elsewhere.
God bless Sri Lanka 2011 and on
M.Sivananthan:
You say Mahawamsa was written by a Tamil. Other Tamils say, Tamils were the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka and etc, etc. If it was true and such was the influence, how come Tamils could not overwhelm Sinhalese and make this country Tamil?
Leela
“..Even the footprint of Buddha at Sri Pada (Adam’s peak) is nothing but an obvious myth…”
Tamil Epic Mannimegalai describes Sri Pada as Sammana Malai. It says that She(Mannimegalai) visited Sammana Malai.
Easwaran
137,Mr. Damela:
My question was: “Question is how come they could not overwhelmed Vijaya’s 500 or 5000 men and made Sri Lanka Tamil?”
Your answer is:
“The answer is simple Tamils are civilized people, we don’t believe in mass murder and genocide.”
Now, I am asking this from you guys; leave out all the other murders, just tell us, is it Sinhalas or Tamils that killed the following list of Tamils.
A.T. Duraiyappah [SLFP Mayor of Jaffna on 27.7.75]
A.Thiagarajah [ex ACTC M.P. for Vadukoddai who later joined the UNP on 24.4.81]
K.T.Pulendran [UNP Organiuser for Vavuniya on 19.1.83]
A.J.Rajasooriar [UNP Organiser for Jaffna on 12.8.83]
Mala Ramachandran [UNP MMC for Batticaloa on1.9.83]
Gnanachandiram [Ex District Judge Point Pedro and Government Agent Mullaitivu on 24.2.85]
C.E.Anandarajah [Principal St.Johns College, Jaffna on 26.6.85]
B.K.Thambipillai, [President, Citizens Committee Oddusudan on 22.8.85]
V.Dharmalingam [Ex TULF M.P. for Manipay and father of D.Siddharthan Leader of PLOTE on 2.9.85]
Alalasunderam [Ex TULF M.P. for Kopay on 2.9.95]
P.Kirubakaran [Primary Court Judge on 11.3.86]
Kathiramalai [Sarvodaya leader on 26.9.86]
Vignarajah [Assistant Government Agent Samanthurai on 15.9.87]
Anthonimuttu [Government Agent Batticaloa on 8.10.87]
S.S.Jeganathan [Assistant Government Agent Batticaloa on 8.10.87]
Sinnadurai [Assistant Government Agent Trincomalee on 26.11.87]
M.E.Kandasamy [Principal, Palugamam Maha Vidyalaya on 14.12.87]
S.Siththamparanathan [Principal Vigneswara Vidyalaya Trincomalee on 31.1.88]
S.Wijayanandan [District Secretary Ceylon Communist Party on 8.3.88]
Velmurugu Master [TULF Organiser and Citizens Committee Member Kalmunai on 20.3.88]
Rev. Father Chandra Fernando [President, Citizens' Committee, Batticaloa on 6.6.88]
Rajshankar [President Citizen's Committee Tennamarachchi on 27.10.88]
S.Sambandamoorthy [Ex TULF Chairman District Development Council, Batticaloa on 7.3.89]
V.M.Panchalingam [Government Agent, Jaffna on 1.5.89]
K.Pulendran [Assistant Government Agent, Kopay on 28.6.89]
A.Amirthalingam [TULF Leader and National List M.P. on 13.7.89]
V.Yogeswaran [ex TULF M.P for Jaffna on 13.7.89]
Dr. (Mrs) Rajini Thiranagama [Lecturer in Anatomy at the Jaffna University and co-author of the 'Broken Palmyrah' on 25.9.89]
Ganeshalingam [ex EPRLF Provincial Minister for North & East on 28.1.90]
Sam Thambimuttu [EPRLF MP] and Mrs. Tambimuttu [on 7.5.90]
V.Yogasangari [EPRLF MP in Madras on 19.6.90]
A. Thangadora [TULF MP for Trincomalee]
You cannot put them under carpet.
Leela
158 Fernando:
I have my style of commenting and you have yours. Unlike you, I have a target. So, I aim at it. What matters is I hit the bulls eye. If I need to copy something, I copy it. Whenever I do copy, I do not hide it. But I never plagiarize. If you don’t see that it’s too bad.
Leela
I am a Teacher from Jaffna.
We do not care we / sinhalese from where and whom. Want to live in peace in Sri Lanka. But Ground situations are very bad.
1.Two of my students have kidnapped and attacked by EPDP members for personel reasons, Complained made in police still the members even called me about life threat. No action have been made.
2. One of our Education Director shot and dead by a paramilitary members (Not sure weather EPDP/ Karuna Group) under the cloud of thieves.
3. A bussines man (Chavakachchery)kidnap and murder under cloud for money.. all linked to the security forces.
4. A hindu prist (Navaly) also shot and dead by EPDP under cover of thieves.
5. Two girls (from popular schools in Jaffna town) have kidnapped and done sexual abuse by EPDP members, Girls have threten by them. So they keep silent under life threat.
6.EPDP members are selling drugs and sexual VCDs to students with the support of army commanders. Selling bases are. Chavakatheri, Kachchai, Nelliyadi,Uduppidy, Urelu, Punnalaikadduvan, College lane (Near Jaffna Hindu College),, Kurunagal, Chankanai and etc. People and police aware about but no action have been made.
7. EPDP and Karuna groups are engaging youngsters for gangsters group. This gropu threaten the Jaffna tamil business people for money and even gettiing lump sum in monthly basis from traders. There some ex LTTE carders also involve in the process.
This is completely irrelevant to this but you guys all are speaking political solution, National Anthem and etc. But we are struggling with our day today life. Basic human rights are not even estabilshed under the law. Tamils have no option other than leaving the country.. I am also try to leave.. but do not find any way sir.
#169 DR Rajasingham
You have not addressed my response in full nor you addressed the first para in my fact 3 in full. If you considered at least the first para of my fact 3 in full rather than a part of it, I believe you wouldn’t have hurled the accusation at me. Therefore request you to re-read my response.
Yakka, Naga, Deva & Rakshasa were the main or primary tribes that lived in Sri Lanka who later evolved in to the predominantly Sinhala race or nation whatever way you want to define. There is no evidence of Tamil being a sizeable community until the establishment of Jaffna kingdom around 12th century. The overwhelming dominance of Buddhist culture in A’pura & Polonnaruwa era (per my fact 6), which was the only religion of Sinhalese clearly proves this.
However I have NOT discounted early Tamil settlers assimilating in to the Sinhala nation which I have clearly noted in my fact 3.
The uniqueness of Sinhala language is in the context that it is NOT spoken anywhere in the world and an indegeneous development with in Sri Lanka. It’s primary roots are found in Pali & Sanskrit though it has adopted many words from Southern Indian languages. It continues to adopt words from English for that matter. On that score, no modern language is unique.
I agree with you that both Sinhala and Tamil communities share more commonalities (including genetics) than differences and we MUST highlight and build on those commonalities.
However a key issue or a stumbling block is the idea of separatism sustained for decades by the Tamils (even before 1948). It was made the official policy in the Wadukkodai (Battakotte) resolution in 1976 which has been seemingly endorsed in 1977 elections. The extremist separatists took this policy in to the next level by creating a mono ethnic enclave in the North by ethnically cleansing the North using terrorism. It goes totally against the rest of the population in the country who claims the entire country as one entity belonging to all communities who accept Sri Lanka as their motherland. Accordingly, there is no place for an Eelam in this country.
Therefore the rest of the population are eagerly awaiting Tamils to declare their current position. The most appropriate way is for Tamils to officially renounce the separatist stance proclaimed in the Wadukkodai (Battakotte) resolution and declare that they are ready for unity.
No half measures by keeping one foot here and one foot there could address the key threat perception I mentioned in my fact 5.
Wish you a happy & peaceful new year!
170. shankar:
I am not a Hue Heffner fan. I do not write to Penthouse or Play Boy or such publications or blogs. Neither am I a queer or a bisexual or a transvestite. My interest is in politics and matters related to history and religion. I read about them extensively and write under my real name and a pseudonym. Whether readers take me as man or a woman, fundamentals of my writing remain. Moreover, my gender does not add or emit a different meaning to it.
If voluptuous writing arouses you and others of your ilk as good humor you may continue to write it. Read these verses in the Old Testament. Genesis 19:30-38, Genesis 38:13-19 Samuel 6:14, 16, 20-23 Proverbs 5:19, Solomon 1:13, Solomon 2:6, 8:3, Solomon 4:5, 7:3, Solomon 7:1-2, Solomon 7:7-9, Solomon 5:4, Ezekiel 23:8 Ezekiel 16:37, Ezekiel 23:20-21, HO 2:2, RE 16:15. I am sure you’ll get a better kick. As (158) Fernando says, I can cut and paste more of them from other prophetic books if you like. Or give us your e-mail address, I shall post them direct.
As for me, I am married man with children and grand children. As I said before in this blog to ISS, ‘Leela’ is the first five letters of my full name of twelve letters. When I registered at this blog and elsewhere, I have declared my full name and the real e-mail address. I see no reason to repeat it every time I write a comment. If you want, make an effort and I am sure, you can find full details of me. I am not that unknown.
Leela
Hi Leela(#189),
I can produce a more than thousands of name who have murdered infront of parents, wives and friends just during 2005 to 2009 by Sri Lankan army , EPDP and Karuna group.
Your Listed peoples are welknown to every one but these guys are poor back ground do not have any value of their live. Please do not argue about who are the killer.
We should be stand against on every innocent killing.. what is reality we only concern who ever kill in Colombo or rich or Highly placed people but ignore others.
Please raise the voice every killing , as again Sri Lnakan Security forces have started mass killing in Jaffna. We do not know how many of us are going to die with cold blood.
Where are the Human right commissions, where are the TNA MPs
Where is the international Tamil diaspora? They just holding Tiger flag and gathering… what are they doing? Are they protect only Tigers?
Please raise voice firmly to stop the continous killing in North and East.
146. Mahesh:
You asked: “Did King Vijaya join Mahavihara upon his arrival from North India?”
My answer: Haven’t you read; I, ‘Hela’ and many others explained how Sinhala evolved. ‘Maha Vihara’ was established by Emperor Asoka’s son, Mahinda during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247–207 BCE).
Ramayana is a legend. It is like the very old stories like Poseidon Athena etc. On the contrary, ‘Athakatha’ are recounts that come from father to son. They can be double checked from hundreds and thousands of rock edits and monuments in this country.
I do not deny that Tamils have come to this country. What we say is; either they were assimilated or compelled to go back, but they never had continues Tamil kingdoms here. If they did, they should have swamped this country and absorbed Sinhalas (Yaksa, Naga, Raksa, Deva and Vedda) to be Tamils. Moreover, our modern day Tamil culture and language should not have resembled the language of Tamil Nadu.
You say; “The Sri Lankan Tamil is different in accent to the Indian Tamil. Their Tamil is nice to ears.”
My answer: If Tamils have been living here for thousands of years, they should have developed a unique language just like the Moldavians and Sinhalese. There should be a significant difference of language and culture between Tamil Nadu Tamils and Sri Lanka Tamils not just nice to ears.
Leela
Reply to Deyananda
—————————–
I think this is the time to reply Devananda.
Naturally talks ( wansa katha) are followered by generation to generations through their families. Later most of them are documented by some people. We call it as histry. Nevertheless most of unwritten katha are privalling as history. The best example is children song “Athru mithuru damba diva turu raja kapuru hettiya” more or less sinhala people had plyed this game when they were young. Hence most of them don’t know how it was origined. If i am corect It was fhe first kela paththra (blue print paper) circulated therouh out the community. You all may know about Aritta ki wedu was funcitoned as main consultant to king Rajasinghe at Seetewaka. In order to making the clame of crown he was trying making an affiar with un married sister of king.Others brothers opposed but infrount of the king they were helpless. They knew making critisim of king is lead nothing but killed. Therefore they furnished this song and making room to sung then and there through children.
Like wise venarable Mahanama thero was written Mahawansa. Thero used many wansa katha as an aid to complete the book. This is one and only contionuly written book as the history of the nation. There are other similler history books as Deepa wansa, Choola wansa, Bothi wasnsa, Rajaawaliya ect.
By examing the coments of the blog it is proved that most of them are not read Mahawansa. It was not their folt. in year 1972 teaching the history was elliminated from school curricular. The culprite was then education minister BADUDEEN MAHAMUD. He awared the history of Sri lanka is nothing but sinhala buddhidt history. Then he abolished to teach history in school.
Without Mahawansa Indian arqulagies have no clue to link with litriture that appeared in king Asok written. Therefore Mahawansa is not a mith.
Deffinetly ven. Manama thero’s favourate is King dutugamunu, but he did not omit others. King Asela was the first who defeated tamil call horse merchands Thapassu and Balluka. King Asela did it without getteing the suport of monk. King Dutugamunu who firstly accoumpanied buddhist monk. But it was not his falt. During his father’s time ( king Kavanthissa) budhist monk had played vital role in controlling Ruhunu.
I too have critism about Vijaya. Accourding to my view point He too an invader. He came here as an invader in year 543 ad.He rulled till the year 505 ad. After his death till his brother came into island Upathissa had ruled for one year. King’s borther Panduwas deve came here and ruled 505-to 474 ad. He who carried the prince Bradhra Cachchayana from Madurapura in southern India. The tamils are so clever to shape up Madura pura as Madurai . Just Omanta as Omanthei. It is no ammesing that some day they might shape up London as Londoni .
King Vijaya’s padegory really ended up after 118 years. The king Pandulabaya came into power by killing all vijaya’s successiors. Deega gaminie( father of pandukabaya) was a prince of Yakka. Ther are major part of 4 helas. Deve, naga, and raksa are the others. The rest of vijaya group were amalgamated into major stream. This major group called SINHALA. In my previous letter in the blog I ellaraberated it detail wise. I saw some are mensioned Naga should be tamil. But there is no evidence to prove it. Certainly King Dutugamunu is Naga. Can any of you call him as tamil. The successiors of naga are still living in Katharagama area. The duputy minister Dr Merven Silva also one of them. If Naga call as tamils you better get openion from So call deputy minister whether he is a tamil.
I think all of you may know about the scholer call Dr Shiran Daranigala. From his research he found there was another city just undet 30 feet of present Anuradhapura. The co called city is older than the city which was bult by king Pandukabya. They found the letter of Brahmee ( Brahmee Aksara) He found that some of those letters are more equal vith sinhala Brahmee letters. Accourding to carben test is is proved that so salled letter are belongd to year 3 ad.
Devananda just ignoer fhis fact and fabrigate this sophisticated vision vithout any avidence.
Therefore Devanander is nothing but a cheater.
The link with buddhism and Sinhala ie another story.
Definetly we have shakkya relation. That;s why sinhala buddhista are acting as the guerdians of Buddha. It is another story.
I am daily reading Thiripitakaya. You dont have pay to get it when you type http://www.tipitakaya.org i theinternet you could be visualishei it in Pali,English and Sinhala virson.
If you want to buid meaningful reconcilation with sinhala and tamil you better avoid with DEMALA ideology. Demala means invaders. They came here for time to time. PARA DEMALA means Foreign invaders, UNDERRA DEMALA means Under pradesh invaders. Poortugees too call as Demala This is not my definition .It was come from RAJAAWALIYA.
The tamils who refused invader concept can call DAMILA.
samarasekara
J (#181):
Thanks for the detailed response. The word ‘Unique’ is being misused. Unique means ‘ Of which there is only one, unequaled, having no equal or parallel’. In the context you are using this word, everything in this world is unique- individuals, languages, food, culture, varieties of life forms and the universe.
Please refer to my previous articles:
1. Antiquity, languages and politics of Sri Lanka
http://www.tamilweek.com/week/2008/03/
2. Let us all go back home to Africa
http://www.tamilweek.com/week/2008/04
I think these two articles give my answers to the issues you have addressed.
Ultimately, the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka have to accept and live with the following realities:
1. They are related and have no alternative but to accept each other and live with each other.
2. The languages they use have common origins, share much in common and are also following their own evolutionary paths to meet the needs of the times.
3. The religions they profess- Hinduism and Buddhism- share many common features on the philosophical front and in Sri Lanka both worship common Gods (Syncretism).
4. Who was in Sri Lanka first does not matter, because no one really knows what really took place thousands of years ago and what ever we are debating is like trying to build a castle with bits of straw blowing in with the wind.
5. We are NOW in Sri Lanka at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century and have to deal with the present and the future as a civilized people.
-Dr.Rajasingham Narendran-
Thiva:
You need not identify yourself, but be more specific and give us the names and dates of those incidents if we are to believe you. You need not worry about being traced for I am sure, DBSJ would look after that.
Many a thug and a gang used to be a public menace in the south as well. But not any more. After May 18th 2009, our good Secretary of Defence had put a stop to all that. So, after checking out you claim, we could definitely write to him about it. So speak up.
Leela
Before the Europeans, there was no language based divisions anywhere. The PARLIAMENT further to encourage language based divisions to catch votes. If we are talking old history to fit to the current political ideology, we have to go back to the days of the KINGS.
Sinhala and other South Indian languages have many things in common.
Every language has its UNIQUENESS. For example: POL = Coconut. No Indian language has this word.
Biththi = Wall in Malayalam and Sinhala
Sanskrit and Pali words flowed into all languages. No one can deny it.
How many Tamils can understand Manimekala or Silappathikaram by just reading? How many Sinhalese understand TRIPITAKA right away?
South Indian languages and Sinhala have a common ancestor, which was HELA.
Present day language based racism simply destroyed historical traditions to support Sinhala. /Tamil racist politics.
One example:
People of Rajarata believed the TOMB of Elara and respected, paid homage after King Dutugemunu requested them and that tradition continued for more than 2500 years. But the English educated Paranavitana, then archeological commissioner, changed Elara tomb to Gemunu tomb with the help of the state.
This kind of state aided destruction of History is a continuing story to establish EVERYTHING IN SRI LANKA is SINHALA.
Gemunu erected a tomb for the fallen Tamil king and asked to respect the king. The people of Rajarata did that for 2500 years. Are the Sinhalese telling here that they are smart in destroying Historical evidence? Are the Sinhalese telling here that people of Rajarata are fools to follow the request of their King for 2500 years?
That is done to flame the Sinhala racism. Sinhalese feels they are “minority” in that region. That caused riots, lost of lives etc. But Tamils in other hand never tried to find the common things among Sinhalese and Tamils.
They too follow the same as Sinhalese.
I don’t believe these Arya-Dravida stories. Geographically it is impossible.
Can any Sinhala/Tamil “intellectual” tell here why Sinhalese and Tamils celebrate NEW YEAR on the same day at the same time?
So much can be written about the contents of this interesting article. Nevertheless, I wish to limit my contribution to a two aspects.
SINHALA TAMIL ANCESTRY
Writings of three outstanding Academics from Sri Lanka , Messrs Stanley Tambiah( Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, Harward University, USA, Gananath Obeyesekera,Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, Princeton University, USA, and H.L. Seneviratne, Professor of Anthropology, University of Virginia, USA) shed considerable light on the dubious claim of purity claimed by the Sinhala Race.
Tambiah, a Tamil, has referred to this subject in books such as “Buddhism Betrayed” and ” Sri Lanka, Ethnic Fracticide and the Dismantling of Democracy”. To avoid the allegation of bias ( by the Tamil Professor), I shall quote from the writings of the other two, both Sinhalese.
Responding to an April 1984 article in the New York Times, USA, stating that ” the Sinhalese and Tamils are divided not only by religion but ( also) by ethnic background: The Sinhalese are of Aryan stock (while) the Tamils are of a dark skinned Dravidian extraction,” ,Obeyesekera wrote ” This racist nonsense is part of the current mythology of middle-class Sinhalese.”—————- The racial connotations of ‘Aryans’ were introduced in the late 19th century by Sri Lankan Sinhalese nationalists to differentiate themselves from the Tamils. They were aided by 19th century European Indologists, who spoke of the Aryan subjugation of dark skinned peoples ( the aboriginal Dravidians) — a hypothesis no longer acceptable to serious historians.”
” In reality there is little difference in the ethnic backgrounds of the Sinhalese and the Tamils—— Thereafter, the patterns of royal marriage and mass migration were wholly from South India, initially from the Tamil country and later ( since the 13th century) from Kerala.”
Professor Seneviratne too has written extensively on the above theme. Let me quote from his article titled ‘Sinhala and Tamil’ in the Opinion page of the Leader, January 15, 2008.
” A significant proportion of the inhabitants of the south western sea board ( of Sri Lanka) are descendents of Tamil Hindus who arrived in the island during the Dutch era. Within a generation they became Sinhala Buddhists—— over identified with the host ethnic group, becoming some of the most virulent bearers of Sinhala Buddhist extremism. ——–. In the broad perspective, one look at the ethno -demographic spread of the peoples in the sub -continent ( India) makes it quite obvious that the Sinhalese are a variety of Tamils as are other ethnic and linguistic groups of South India. It is because of the 20th century Sinhala-Tamil rivalries that this fact is forgotten or explicitly denied. In particular, it is striking that the Sinhala Buddhists have forgotten that it is in South India that Buddhism survived centuries after its disappearance from the North”.
” It is common knowledge that about half the Sinhala aristocracy signed the Kandyan Convention ( 1815) in Tamil. Not so well known is the fact that some signatures combine Sinhala and Tamil characters about fifty fifty, a remarkable creative synthesis——”.
ZENG HE’S TRILINGUAL INSCRIPTION IN GALLE
In 1410, the famous Chinese Admiral Zhen He erected a stone tablet near Galle with a message inscribed in three languages — Chinese, Persian ( or Arabic?) and Tamil. This Tablet had been inscribed in Nanking, China and transported to Ceylon ( Sri Lanka).
The trilingual inscription is in the national museum of Sri Lanka.
An interesting question is, why was there no place in the inscription for Sinhalese while Tamil had been given a place? Is it possible that Tamil was more prevalent in the area around Galle than Sinhalese?
Expatriate
December 29, 2010
191 Thiva,
The incidents that you have mentioned are despicable and need condemnation from all quarters.
EPDP, the faction lead by Mr Devananda is working hard to win the Tamils in the North, mainly in the Peninsula.
The Leader is a senior minister who has to interact with a myriad of Foreign Govrenrnments, firstly as part of his official dutoes and secondly on a social and political basis to win them over.
Same goes for Mr Muralitharan.
Thinking logically why would these two leaders allow or encourage their cadres to do such despicable deeds which not only risk criminal charges but most importantly invites community wrath,
Aren’t they that stupid not to know that?
To top it all the Western Governments who are ardent backers of the Tamil diaspora, would bring them to task using every avenue available to them not only to punish these too but to get at the Government as well.
177. Ranjan, Toronto
*****The writer loses his credibility right at the beginning when he says that we Sri Lankan Buddhists regard Mahavansa as part of the Buddhist scriptures. That is total nonsense. I know no Buddhist who regards the Mahavansa as part of Buddhist scriptures.*****
I know many Sri Lankan Buddhists who believe that “the Buddha’s 3 visits to Lanka and God Vishnu as the guardian deity of Sinhala-Buddhists” are from the Buddhist scriptures. You can check by yourself when you visit Sri Lanka next time. Isn’t it then a part of the religion they believe? I think this is why the author is calling it Mahavamsa Buddhism because Buddhism should not talk about Hindu Gods.
*****He says, that Mahavansa is taught in Sunday schools. Wrong again. No Sunday school that I know teaches Mahavansa as part of their curriculum. Never has and never does. Not only that, Mahavansa is not taught as a text in normal school curriculum. It is used only as a document to cross reference historical story of Sri Lanka.*****
In the above article the author says,
“From a very young age, the innocent Sinhala Buddhist children who attend the Daham Paasela (Sunday school) in the Buddhist temples are brainwashed by engraving the Mahavamsa Buddhism and Sinhala Buddhist racism into their sub-conscious minds.”
The author is not saying Mahavansa is taught in Sunday schools, he say Mahavamsa-Buddhism (such as Buddha’s 3 visits and God Vishnu as the guardian deity of Sinhala-Buddhists) is taught.
However, this may not be the practice in all the Sunday schools (except a few) so this author generalizing it is not correct.
*****Some few hard-line fundamentalists Buddhists may believe that they are direct descendents of Gowthama Buddha, but certainly not the majority. That “fact” was never taught in any school that I know of.*****
I agree, this also may be believed by a few but generalizing it is not correct.
*****King Tissa of 2nd century was a Hindu worshipper? Where is the evidence?*****
Please refer # 140. Siva’s comment.
*****Mahavansa was written by the Ven Mahanama to protect Buddhism and CREATE Sinhalese? Where is the evidence? This is pure speculation without facts to back up. If this was true, this would be the first time in human history that a complete race and a language was created by one person.*****
I do not think the author is talking about one person here, he says Mahavihara monks (including Ven Mahanama) with the patronage of the Buddhist kings. He clearly says, the Sinhala nation was built after the Mahavihara monks united all the tribes/races (Buddhists) who had lived in the country (Demalas, Nagas, those North Indian Asyalam seekers, etc) with the patronage of the kings.
What he is emphasizing is that all the Buddhist tribes were called Sihala/Sinhala for the first time only in the 5th century AD by the Mahavihara monks and the terms Hela/Sihala/Sinhala were not found anywhere before that.
The Sinhala race and the language would have started evolving/building from this period after the foundation was laid by the monks and the king.
*****The writer says that Mahavansa glorifies the Elara-Dutugamunu episode. May be so, but rightly because it was an important event in Lanka’s history. However, the writer conveniently forgets to mention that the same chronicle that supposes to portrait the Demelas as invaders goes to great length to portrait Elara as a most humane king.*****
There were many such episodes before and after that so why do you consider it as an important event? Since the Mahavamsa does not call the Demala kings Sena and Guttika (horse traders sons) as invaders/outsiders, is it because Elara was the first outsider and non-Buddhist after Buddhism was established? May be they felt that it was a threat to Buddhism.
*****The writer loses the complete plot when he says that Buddhist children are brainwashed by engraving Mahavansa from a very young age. *****
I do not think the writer is talking about engraving Mahavansa, he is talking about engraving Mahavamsa Buddhism or Sinhala Buddhism.
*****It is very clear what this writer is up to. As a number of people tried to do before him, he is trying to come up with a good reason and justification for separation of Sri Lanka.*****
The author is not at all talking about separation, he is not talking about Tamils separate separating from the Sinhalese, what he is saying is, if the Sinhalese change their Mahavamsa mindset, the Tamils will unite with them as one Sri Lankan nation. Is it so complicated to understand? If you come out from your Mahavamsa mindset, you will.
*****As everyone knows, most of the previous reasons for justifying a separate country – things like discrimination based on language, equal access to jobs and education, can be very easily rectified and are being rectified. However, if one argues that there is something in Sinhalese psyche which makes us think that we are superior to the Tamils, that is more serious – and then the separatists are justified, as they can argue that Sinhalese and Tamils will never live together peacefully.*****
My dear, are you actually a Sri Lankan? These are obvious facts known to all the Sri Lankans for many decades. There is nothing new in this article for us to react. Were you not born or were you in deep slumber when the Sinhala Only act was passed ignoring the Tamils. Where were you when the innocent Tamils were attacked and looted right from 1956, where the mobs came shouting ‘all the Para Demalu should be sent to Tamil Nadu’. What Sinhalese psyche was that? Do you think the Tamils did not understand the Sinhalese psyche and only now after this article they are going to know about it?
Very openly people such as Prof. Nalin de Silva and many other Sinhala-Buddhists ‘scholars’ are exhibiting the Sinhalese psyche in public. They are making new history for Tamils and brain washing the Sinhalese. If someone tries to expose the Sinhalese psyche, he/she becomes a traitor or a separatist or a LTTE Terrorist supporter or has some hidden motive/agenda.
Please come out of your ignorance (Mahavamsa mindset) and think of a united Sri Lanka, not as Sinhala Only but as Sinhala and Tamil and give the Tamils their due rights, respect and a sense of belonging like the good Sinhalese Buddhist gentleman Mr. Jayawickrama says instead of forcing them to do things (sing in Sinhala) that they do not want to do.
184. Anonymous
Yes I accept your words, Hats off to 143. Kosgoda Silva.
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195. Leela
I do not deny that Tamils have come to this country. What we say is; either they were assimilated or compelled to go back, but they never had continues Tamil kingdoms here.
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The author of this article says that Tamils were living from a very long time in your island. You are trying to deny that. Also the author says that there was no Sinhala race before 5 AD.
He also says that Ven. Mahanama was a Tamil from Royal family.
Some body had said with references to Mahavamsa that King Dutu was a Naga.
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Ramayana is a legend. It is like the very old stories like Poseidon Athena etc.
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You say Ramayana is a legend. For your information I am giving a link below
http://historicalrama.org/historicalrecords.html
It contains references to the Govt of Tamil Nadu which states that the Rama sethu was used till 1480.
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If Tamils have been living here for thousands of years, they should have developed a unique language just like the Moldavians and Sinhalese
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What is wrong in their retaining their Tamil language and culture. Why should it bother you.
====================
Leela,
*****If Tamils have been living here for thousands of years, they should have developed a unique language just like the Moldavians and Sinhalese. There should be a significant difference of language and culture between Tamil Nadu Tamils and Sri Lanka Tamils not just nice to ears.*****
Are you a Tamil scholar? How well do you know the Tamil language? Have you done any research to find the difference between the Tamil in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil in NE Sri Lanka? Or do you know any etymologists or Linguists who have studied /done research on the similarities and differences between the Tamil in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil in NE Sri Lanka?
If the answer to the above is NO, then how can you comment about the Tamil Language?
The Tamil literature (Music/dance/drama) is very closely linked to the rich Tamil culture and, due to the close proximity between Jaffna and Tamil Nadu, there is no reason why the Tamils of Jaffna have to create another language or culture when everything is freely available. The neighboring states of Tamil Nadu adopted a slightly different language/culture because they also had influence from other neighbor states.
The Tamils believe that during the pre historic period, both South India and Sri Lanka were occupied by the Tamils. The change in Sri Lanka took place not with the arrival of 700 North Indian asylum seekers, but with the introduction of Buddhism and after Buddhism.
Do you know that for a single Arab race who speak the same Arabic language with slight differences, there are 25 separate Arab countries in the world. Why do you think that the Tamils should only be from (belong to) Tamil Nadu? Is it because of the name Tamil Nadu?
The Maldivians and the Sinhalese were completely isolated from others and therefore they had no option but to develop a new language. For example the Sinhalese picked up all the languages that were available in the island, (Sanskrit, Pali, Tamil, etc) and made the Elu language.
However, for your information, the Sri Lankan Tamil also have a few words that the Tamils across the Palk Strait cannot understand.
187. Leela |,
If you Sinhala does not allowe us to live in peace we will one day do that Leela as a last resort. because we are a tolerant and cultured people un like you.
Some people here think that the Tamils are losers who should not demand for anything but remain calm and accept anything and everything that the majority imposes on them. If someone writes against their mindset, they immediately accuse them as separatists or terrorists.
The above author has exposed the majority Sinhala-Buddhist mindset and how the mindset originated and the consequences of that mindset. There may be minor flaws in his article (nobody is perfect) but I see his courage in bringing out the facts.
If you read some Sinhala and English articles in the media, there are many Sinhala-Buddhist “scholars” who are brainwashing the younger generation and creating young Sinhala-Buddhist Ultra-Nationalists/Racists. Most of what they write has no evidence but they manage to fool the young gullible. Is anybody asking them why they are doing it?
As someone said, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander?
189. Leela
You have problems understanding the difference between summarized killings, mass killings, killing of unarmed combatants and civilians in tens of thousand.
If I start to make a list of srilankan armed forces atrocities, I need some powerful Databases to save the list of Data, please stop twisting history and war crimes committed by YOUR GENOCIDAL ARMED FORCES.
I hope you are a matured person, don’t encourage violence and let the culprits to face the justice. Without justice there will not be any reconciliation.
196. samarasekara
So you must be the guy who was threatening?
What makes you think that this author will reply to a thug?
What you have written is all Andara Demala, nobody can understand.
By the way for your information, the nursery rhyme the Sinhala children sing down the centuries has reference to Chetties and their connection to Royalty,
“Athuru Mithuru Dambadiva thuru, Raja kapuru Hettiya, Alutha gena manamalita haal pothak garala…”
Also, the Chetties who got converted to Sinhalese are Hettiaratchi, Hettigoda, Adihetty, Paranahetti, Hettige, Hettigamage, Hettipathirana, Hettihewa, and Hettimulla.
It is evident from Mahavamsa that Nagas and yakkas were living in the island before the arrival of the Budha and also before the arrival of the Vijaya.
Dutu’s forefather is mahanaga. therefore dutu was a naga. He was not a sinhala.
Even now nagan is a widely used name in Tamil Nadu. Derivatives of the name nagan is used in various manners, like nagarajan, nageswaran, nagesh etc.
196. samarasekara
Without Mahawansa Indian arqulagies have no clue to link with litriture that appeared in king Asok written. Therefore Mahawansa is not a mith.
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The rock edicts of the Ashoka are the primary source of information of the Ashokan dynasty and rule. Mahavamsa only gives a concurrent view of his rule.
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Mahavamsa is full of evidence of Hindu Saivaites ruling the island, from their names like Mutasiva, Mahasiva. There are also nagas like Mahanaga who was the blood relative of Dutu.
How do you claim that these people are sinhalese.
If you change your religion from Hinduism to either Christianity or Islam or any other religion you have the practice of baptism or similar other ceremony where your name is changed to your new religious identity.
Like wise the names of the Tamil Budhists has been changed to sinhalese. The same thing has happened for the place names also.
Like yazhpanam getting the name of Yapa yana, Kantharodai as Kathiruguda, Kathirgama to Kataragama etc.
Mahavamsa only states that the Tamils and the Nagas were ruling the island and the religion that they followed was Saivism.
They were also living in large numbers.
The archeological evidence also points to the same facts.
Thanks DBSJ for posting this article.
Now let us see how the people react for this.
In our hearts we believe we have somthing a bit different to rest of the subcontinent, obviously we are blessed with natural boundaries; an island, Buddism another, language, customs and a proud account of history and civilization that some have contempt. !
We refuse to be swollowed up by Tamil this and tamil that. Hi critiques of us and many genocide campaigns existed, yet we sucseeded, it is only good !
Mahavamsa, Buddism, Sinhala these are the aspects that make us a purely Lanka focused identity, otherwise we would be a mere extension of tami-nadu.
So we know what you racists are yapping about, we have faced it through out our history and existance, we know we have to face this in the present and in the future and we certainly will do so it is part of being born into our only homeland, no debate, just reality and existance, survival and freedom, good over evil !
Tamils may like to swollow us up, have treied so, believe we have no cause, etc, etc……
BUT WE THINK OTHER WISE !
and its only good and natural……
191. Thiva | December 29th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I ask every sinhala morons to answer THIVAS …..
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran and others who are trying to whitewash the Mahavamsa, can you comment on the following.
The well respected Pali scholar late Dr. E.W. Adikaram once said in an interview after the 1983 black July, the only way to have peace in Sri Lanka is by burning all the copies of the Mahavamsa.
Dr. E.W. Adikaram was a Pali scholar who has mastered the Pali canon (Tipitaka) and the Pali chronicles (Divpavansa/Mahavansa/chulavansa) and has written several books on the subject.
Can you tell us why such a respected Pali scholar made the above statement.
.
196. samarasekara
Certainly King Dutugamunu is Naga. Can any of you call him as tamil.
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You yourself accept Dutu is a naga. do you have the evidence to prove that he was a sinhala.
also think of the many tamil names like nagan, nagalingam, nagesh, nageswaran etc and also the places like nagerkovil, nagapattinam, thiru nageswaram, etc.
Also the naga nadu comprises of naga dweepa, nagapattinam etc.
The archeological evidence points to the similarity of culture between both sides of the palk strait.
From these things it could be construed that the nagas lived both in the tamil nadu and also in the jaffna/nagatheevu.
So the dutu, elara conflict is basically a conflict between the tamils and tamil speaking nagas.
dutu happened to be a budhist and elara happened to be hindu.
dutu happened to win the battle and the monks glorified the victory of a budhist king.
Subsequently all the budhists, whether tamil speaking or not joined together to become sinhala budhist.
The tamil speaking saivaites remain as they were.
The mahavamsa mind set which disregards this basic fact is the root cause of the present conflict and the death of scores of tamils and sinhalese which ultimately claimed tens of thousands of lives in mullivaikal.
Why everybody is avoiding #167 Srilal’s questions? Can anyone of these ‘scholars’ answer his questions. Somebody please help him to come out of ignorance.
#201-kalu albert
Thinking logically why would these two leaders allow or encourage their cadres to do such despicable deeds which not only risk criminal charges but most importantly invites community wrath,
Aren’t they that stupid not to know that?
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Nothing to worry about criminal charges. When the security forces wanted to crack down on the activities of douglas and karuna,orders came from gota to let them do as they please. He is merely using them to do his dirty work.he can always then say to the international community that it is the tamil thugs who are terrorising the tamils,not he.
As for being stupid, they are not. Filthy lucre is always more important than self respect especially for guys who have come up from the gutter. When you have never seen good food or drink before,you have to satiate yourself to the maximum, like there is no tommorrow. That is why communism and socialism does not work, because the guys who take over the country need to eat and drink till they are fully satisfied, to make up for all those good things that they have been deprived of earlier.The only exception where communism has worked has been cuba, and it would have been much better if not for the embargoof the USA. You will recall that fidel castro is from the aristocracy and his mother got damn wild wih him when he confiscated all her lands. In his case he did not eat and drink and make merry because he was not deprived of those things and therefore did not have to satiate himself when having power.
karuna and douglas have to satiate their thirst and hunger for the good things in life. After that only the mongrels might start thinking of their self respect.
And kalu please refrain from calling that trash tamil leaders. See how many votes they will get before you call them as such. It is more appropriate to call them as government henchmen and hitmen. Even prabha held leadership only with the barrell of a gun. Why do you think he decimated the TULF leadership and also scuttled any chance of a peaceful settlement. Tamils are a decent law abiding people by nature and have an inherent dislike for thugs and will not tolerate them like the sinhalese. The sinhalese are indeed a more tolerant and easy going people and will even allow trash to have a cup of tea in their house, but not the tamils.
karuna and douglas know that they will never be accepted in the tamil community let alone as leaders and are making hay while the sun shines. They and their descendents will even try to become sinhalese in the future because they know that way they will have a better future.
I am a only a scientist I do not know much of history or religion I see and believe if there is any physical or scientific evidence . Is there any scientific evidence that Buddha lived and preached and died? I am ignorent please do not mis understand me. Can any one enlighten me with evidence. In the same question I am also asking is their any scientific evidence Jesuss,Allah, or any other Hindu Gods lived and or died . So far I have not met any teacher or guru who can show me the evidence..A hindu guru told me that god is in your mind and you are the God.
218. reliously confused | December 30th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Interesting questions indeed. Perhaps by asking these questions you prove yourself to be a better Buddhist than many who are born into the religion. There seems to be a backlash against rational evidence based reasoning by some who claim to be Buddhists in modern Sri Lanka. They view rational critical thinking as foreign, Western and atheist – when actually a critical approach to religious teaching is a fundamental core of the Buddha’s teaching and is very Asian in its origins indeed. I’ve attached a link to the Kalama Sutta (already mentioned several times by others in these comments) which you may find quite refreshing when compared to the teachings of many other religions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalama_sutta
I do not think there is room for unquestioning belief in Buddhism. Hence please don’t hesitate to assume that the Buddha did not visit Sri Lanka at all, he was not a supernatural being, and there are no Gods, no reincarnation or life after death. Even under these assumptions, there is surprising practical value in the teachings of the ‘supposed’ Buddha, as Buddhism is a philosophy/religion that attempts to address our current existence ‘here and now’ (rather than wholly concentrate on the unknowable ‘ever after’). Perhaps others here who are more able than I will guide you on your journey.
Comments 216 & 217,
Didn’t Dr Anton Balasingham originally masterminded the demise of 70,000 Northern civilians if we are to beleve the Diaspora figures.?
Did he not receive not only the special grade Diplomatic treatment from the Western Diaspora Backers but also the full backing of the Tamil Diaspora and the elite in Srilanka?
So where were these Tamils you claim who do not tolerate thugs, unlike the Sinhalese?
Didn’t Karuna Amman stand up to the LTTE leader and saved 5000 Batti Tamils from death?
Didn’t Douglas Devananda defy the Tigers for many years at great risk to his life?
Isn’t this proof that these two leaders have bigger balls than the people who you claim detest thugs?
Leela(#198)- It is good to hear from you that our excellent defence secretary have been taken action against the un official killing by Sri Lankan security forces with the help of Douglas and Karuna group. Within two weeks it was reported seven youth were missing and four have been killed by Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna. Please consider north and east also part of Sri Lanka and where there also people living (not animals there).
Kalu Albert(#201), Douglas and Karuna are not believing about public support, they belive only ruling party and weapons to capture the power. They are not only enemies to Tamils also enemies all Human beings.You shall refer Mr. DBS Jeyaraj article about the TRO member abduction by Karuna group and the subsequent tragedy. They should punish by under the state law– what shame our state is ruled by state terrorism
Shankar(#217). Please do not make ethenic difference to accept thugs. I have opined that weather Sinahalese or Tamils do not want to tollerate with thugs.
But What is happening in the state thugs are getting upper hand with the support of government.
Government not realized that they are poisening the country by encouraging thugs and self fish politicians. These resulted youngsters (Common and power less people in the Word of Mr. Bradman Weerakoon “Small People” ) loosing the faith in the system, create violence.
So gevernment should show the first step to go wipe off the thugs.
For me personally I knew about Mr. Rajapakshe, He was a human right activist in last now is the person going against with the human right. there is no public voice against these violation. Wait and see this goverment will collapse like LTTE collapse.
In some of the comments posted, the recurring themes have been:
1. Why the Tamils have not developed a different language like the Sinhalese?
2. Why the Tamils had no Kingdoms of their own, prior to the 12-13th centuries?
To answer the first, there was no need for the Tamils in Sri Lanka to develop a new language, because they were already using a well developed language that served their needs and was capable of evolving with time. Tamil is a classical language that has outlived many classical languages. It has also given birth to many languages over time, due to primarily the influence of Sanskrit. Tamils (e.g.Eelathu Poothathevanar) of Sri Lanka have also been at the heart of Tamil literature in ancient times. In more recent times Arumuga Navalar from Jaffna played a major role in promoting the development of Tamil prose, lamentably to the devaluation of the poetic tradition. Further, Tamil spoken by the Tamils of Sri Lanka, to this day remains classical and was admired by many such as the Saivite savant- Kirupananthavariar. Tamil spoken in Sri Lanka is more musical to the ear, than that spoken in many parts of Tamil Nadu. It is ‘Senthamil’.
On the other hand, with Buddhism in retreat in India, there was a need for Buddhism to be protected in Sri Lanka, and the Buddhist monk s did so by giving the religion a language-related identity. Monks from Andra may have played a big role in this, as the Sinhala script largely resembles Telungu. Buddhagosa was also a Tamil Buddhist monk who played a remarkable role in Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
2. As to why there were no recorded Tamil Kingdoms before the 12 th century, the answer lies in the fact that Tamils unfortunately did not have someone like Mahanama Thero, the author of the Mahavamsa to record events and oral traditions. Further, I do not think there was a Sinhala-Tamil dichotomy as it exists today, in ancient times. The royalty – the leadership of old- was of mixed lineage and was acceptable to all the people who likely lived in those times. Parakramabahu, the Great’s- wife was Sivagamasundary!
Further, with time the Tamils of old, were concentrated in the north and east, which lacked the granite structures to leave inscriptions. Whatever, may have been written on Ola leaves would have been destroyed over time by the ravages of climate, insects and vermin. The Tamil-Hindus also did no have an organized monastic tradition like the Sinhala-Buddhists. The Buddhist monks have preserved Ola scripts and scholastic traditions over the centuries. Until the advent of the Christian missionaries the Tamils in Sri Lanka apparently had no organized system to preserve their literary and historical records. Even in Tamil South India several literary works of old are extant now.
We have to also lament that Tamils lost whatever was left of our historical records, when the Jaffna library was burnt down by UNP -cabinet thugs and the police. Further, damage was done by the LTTE, when it foolishly looted invaluable collections of books from private libraries in homes. I was a victim of this vandalism.
To conclude, I once again re-iterate that we want to be Tamil-Sri Lankans. What ever may have been the rights and wrongs of the Tamil militancy, it demonstrated the willingness of the Tamils to die for their land and for their place in Sri Lanka. The defeat of the militancy (I am glad they were), does not mean the Tamils have forfeited their rights to be Tamils in Sri Lanka. We are also proud of our heritage and our identity and will not permit these to be trampled and destroyed. Further, do not forget that we have also our historical stories (our ‘Atha katha”) which have been passed down from generation to generation!
Please respect us for what we are and let us move forward as fellow Sri Lankans. We Tamils know more about the Sinhalese as a people and the Sinhala language , culture and history, than most Sinhalese know of the Tamils, their history and attributes. Please
try to learn more about us Tamils, before peddling what most times sounds sheer nonsense. Tamils do not want to become Sinhalese, however much we may respect you as a people. We Tamils, as much as the Sinhalese , would not want to become anything else than what we are, in terms of our identity.
-Dr.Rajasingham Narendran-
#177. Ranjan, Toronto
Were you born in Toronto? You do not seem to have any knowledge of the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka. Do you think that the Tamil struggle from 1949 till now is due to rectifiable issues such as discrimination based on language, equal access to jobs and education only? Do you think the Sri Lankans are not aware of the Sinhalese psyche? Do you think the Tamils are not aware of the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa (superior) mindset? If a person is in slumber we can wake him up but if a person pretends to be in slumber we cannot.
Immediately after taking over the country from the British, the first thing that an independent government under D. S. Senanayake, the so called father of the nation, did was to disenfranchise the upcountry Tamils. This was followed by colonization schemes that settled Sinhalese peasants in the predominantly Tamil-speaking North-East, thereby changing the ethnic demography of the area which prompted the Tamils to demand a separate state in 1949. Do you know why he did that? It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do you know why SWRD Bandaranayaka brought in the Sinhala Only policy ignoring the Tamils?
It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do you know why Sirimawo Bandaranayaka brought in a new constitution in 1972 abolishing all the minority rights in it and gave foremost place to Buddhism in a multi-religious Sri Lanka?
It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do you know why JR Jayawardana unleashed the July 83 violence against the Tamils (to teach Tamils a lesson)?
It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do you know why DB Wijethunga said, “we do not have any ethnic problem, we only have a terrorist problem” denying all the problems the Tamils have for decades?
It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do you know why President Mahinda Rajapakshe wants only the Sinhala only National anthem?
It is the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa mindset.
Do not make yourself a laughing stock in a public blog by trying to say the Tamils are not aware of the Sinhala-Buddhist Mahavamsa (superior) psyche.
#181 J
Thank you for your honest account. I am a Tamil from a medium income family. It is true the government had been spent lots of money teach me English. And my father also spent a lot of tuition fees to teach me English. Still I have a felt need for improving my Tamil as well as my English. I was not a below average student. Now I become as my Family bread winner. My earning also only enough for educating my children in tamil medium and sending them to English tuition classes. There are luxurious English speaking Tamil people they don’t know tamil. There are lavish English speaking Sinhala people they don’t know Sinhala. I wonder why some people advice us to go for a third language. I appreciate Srilankan president Mahinda because he is not breaching but practicing. As good will people suggested me I can continue my English education through reading English news papers I can buy a Tamil paper one reason is to renovate my tamil language skill. Some time my budget allows me to buy an English paper. But this bad time not allows me to read those papers. To be more honest please advice all (Not only Srilankans) to adopt two language as a policy 1 st one should be ones mother language, that is good for every one. The second one is Universal English. That is also good for each and every one. I like to advice every one to set the attainable target/objective considering their income and other factors. Otherwise it will be tactless or even injurious like what VP faced in Mullivaikkal.
Roshan
Hi DBS,
Thanks for placing this interesting article which is thought provoking and giving opportunity for other scholars to provided us knowledge in this aspect and I am thankful for this opportunity as I haven’t read Mahavansa. Also you need not read whole Tripitaka to attain nibbana which should occur while living before anyones death.
Therefore authors may need to add a bit of myth to make reading interesting.
It appears the writer Devananda’s intention was to rewrite politically correct history rather than the events based on historic evidence. It was stated by Prime Minister Nehru if you want to verify historic events of a period you have to compare with contemporary history of the era in those countries before come to a conclusion. Most scholars of history have done this before the publication. Mahavansa being an ancient record there may be holes, but it is up to the reader to judge as I know most of them don’t take it literally. I have met a Thai monk and in a discussion he praised the intellectual capacity of the buddhists in Sri Lanka for preserving the original scripts which helped them to study and understand. If those were destroyed by invaders then the opportunity would have lost for all humans.
Buddhism is about reality once the individuals understand it they awaken and this depends on access to right knowledge and capacity to comprehend.
Therefore the writer’s allgations are based on assumptions and demonising Sinhala Buddhists won’t achieve anything. The below statement let the cat out of the bag on ‘homeland theory’ and that seemed to be the whole purpose of this exercise.
“As long as the Sinhalese remain ignorant, as long as they cling on to the 2500 years old mysteries of the past as their guide, as long as they remain engrossed to the Mahavamsa mindset, whatever solution the that the government tries/pretends to bring in, the Sinhala-Buddhists are not going to accept. Scholars and analysts have identified that the ‘Sinhala (Mahavamsa) Buddhist mindset,’ (about the Sinhala Buddhist claim to the whole island of Lanka), as the reason why most of the Sinhalese cannot be rational and liberal.”
Sri Lanka will be and must be for everybody irrespective of ethnicity and the freedom of movement must remain without any territorial restrictions as the country is surrounded by sea.
If the writer has conducted researches to prove his point then it would be a different approach to educate and change attitudes of those who have a mythical mindset.
The writer’s claim from the outset may be possible as the Vedic influence mixed among Buddhist practices have put odds with Buddhist philosophy and some may mis the point.
I think most of people understand the difference between the two, stated below ethnicity and nationality.
“The so called Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) should have understood by now that the first lesson and most probably the only important lesson that the Sinhala majority has to learn in order to come out from their ignorance is to differentiate/distinguish between Sinhala and Sri Lanka. Only when the Sinhalese clearly understand that Sinhala-ness and Sri Lankan-ness are not the same but two different things, we will be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel (peace will prevail) and the Sri Lankan Tamils will be able to give up their demands and unite as one Sri Lankan nation”
The writer’s linkage of Mahavansa chronicles and Dhamma schools is incorrect and baseless. This is another attempt to potray Dhamma schools with Pakistan style Madrasses where the west believes they are suicide bomers’ breeding ground.
I know when I learnt history as a subject in grade 8 those days Dutu gamunu war, Mulleriayawa war with Portugese and Nelson’s wars were taught and at the time the teacher we had so cleverly put across the stories as if we were there and everybody listened to him as it was so interesting and the class was so silent.
I have contacts with most of them and none of them took part in 1983 riots!
As some changes to curriculums were made in 1972 I am unsure how that generation handled history lessons, but someone mentioned the changes made in 1972 left out crucial areas and without research you can’t determine the impact. Those who did Buddhism as a subject during my time were not taught Mahavansa events. There were Christians who have sat for exams taking Buddhism as a subject and took good marks if the two were mixed there would have been complaints to the educational authorities long ago.
191# Thiva If those fact can be verified it is a disturbing trend, must be referred to the Secretary of Defense for immediate action which is a domestic issue, while the current subject matter is more wide ranging beyond borders. I believe Mahavansa chronicles didn’t influence EPDP’s violent activities.
Wish you all a Happy New Year 2011
Hi DBS,
Thanks for placing this interesting article which is thought provoking and giving opportunity for other scholars to provided us knowledge in this aspect and I am thankful for this opportunity as I haven’t read Mahavansa. Also you need not read whole Tripitaka to attain nibbana which should occur while living before anyones death.
Therefore authors may need to add a bit of myth to make reading interesting.
It appears the writer Devananda’s intention was to rewrite politically correct history rather than the events based on historic evidence. It was stated by Prime Minister Nehru if you want to verify historic events of a period you have to compare with contemporary history of the era in those countries before come to a conclusion. Most scholars of history have done this before the publication. Mahavansa being an ancient record there may be holes, but it is up to the reader to judge as I know most of them don’t take it literally. I have met a Thai monk and in a discussion he praised the intellectual capacity of the buddhists in Sri Lanka for preserving the original scripts which helped them to study and understand. If those were destroyed by invaders then the opportunity would have lost for all humans.
Buddhism is about reality once the individuals understand it they awaken and this depends on access to right knowledge and capacity to comprehend.
Therefore the writer’s allgations are based on assumptions and demonising Sinhala Buddhists won’t achieve anything. The below statement let the cat out of the bag on ‘homeland theory’ and that seemed to be the whole purpose of this exercise.
“As long as the Sinhalese remain ignorant, as long as they cling on to the 2500 years old mysteries of the past as their guide, as long as they remain engrossed to the Mahavamsa mindset, whatever solution the that the government tries/pretends to bring in, the Sinhala-Buddhists are not going to accept. Scholars and analysts have identified that the ‘Sinhala (Mahavamsa) Buddhist mindset,’ (about the Sinhala Buddhist claim to the whole island of Lanka), as the reason why most of the Sinhalese cannot be rational and liberal.”
Sri Lanka will be and must be for everybody irrespective of ethnicity and the freedom of movement must remain without any territorial restrictions as the country is surrounded by sea.
If the writer has conducted researches to prove his point then it would be a different approach to educate and change attitudes of those who have a mythical mindset.
The writer’s claim from the outset may be possible as the Vedic influence mixed among Buddhist practices have put odds with Buddhist philosophy and some may mis the point.
I think most of people understand the difference between the two, stated below ethnicity and nationality.
“The so called Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) should have understood by now that the first lesson and most probably the only important lesson that the Sinhala majority has to learn in order to come out from their ignorance is to differentiate/distinguish between Sinhala and Sri Lanka. Only when the Sinhalese clearly understand that Sinhala-ness and Sri Lankan-ness are not the same but two different things, we will be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel (peace will prevail) and the Sri Lankan Tamils will be able to give up their demands and unite as one Sri Lankan nation”
The writer’s linkage of Mahavansa chronicles and Dhamma schools is incorrect and baseless. This is another attempt to potray Dhamma schools with Pakistan style Madrasses where the west believes they are suicide bomers’ breeding ground.
I know when I learnt history as a subject in grade 8 those days Dutu gamunu war, Mulleriayawa war with Portugese and Nelson’s wars were taught and at the time the teacher we had so cleverly put across the stories as if we were there and everybody listened to him as it was so interesting and the class was so silent.
I have contacts with most of them and none of them took part in 1983 riots!
As some changes to curriculums were made in 1972 I am unsure how that generation handled history lessons, but someone mentioned the changes made in 1972 left out crucial areas and without research you can’t determine the impact. Those who did Buddhism as a subject during my time were not taught Mahavansa events. There were Christians who have sat for exams taking Buddhism as a subject and took good marks if the two were mixed there would have been complaints to the educational authorities long ago.
191# Thiva If those fact can be verified it is a disturbing trend, must be referred to the Secretary of Defense for immediate action which is a domestic issue, while the current subject matter is more wide ranging beyond borders. I believe Mahavansa chronicles didn’t influence EPDP’s violent activities.
Wish you all a Happy New Year 2011
Good to read wonderful article and use full discussion as well.
Refering to # 191-Mr.Thiva : We understand your feelings and can not do anything. We are helpless people in ceylon. These all not only by sinhalese also Tamils should have take responsible.
Our past actions I mean from 1983, Especially after 1987 (Indo-Sri Lanka Accord) not preferable by international acceptance way.
I understand that it is not the time to finger to past. Find the way to go forward. What is happening now also not prefered so the action should come from external parties.We will try to do our best.
Dear DBS Jeyarj and Readers,
Happy New year 2011.
Best wishes,
Ratnam.
Thank you.Wish you a Happy new year……….DBSJ
//Fact 5 – Though Mahavamsa etc. mentions Tamil soldiers fighting under Sinhala kings against invading South Indians, there is NO record of a Sri Lankan Tamil chief fighting against an invading South Indian army. //
Who was VELU SUMANA who was a general of Gemunu?
South Indians, most of the time not invaded but invited.
King Mana Vamma (varma) got help from Pallava and marched with a Tamil army from Gokarna(now in Karnataka) to defeat the king in Anuradhapura. All the Pallava king’s names end in VARMAN. Another branch of Pallava Kings built the famous ANKOR of Cambodia.
All the time the Tamil kings helped Kings of Sri lanka.
Why are the Sinhalese imagining the kings in the OLD days had wars on the basis TAMIL or SINHALA?
Buddhism (even the ‘sinhala mahavamsa variety’) teaches the value of living in the present and not dwelling in past or worrying about the future.
Mahavamsa? Who cares. It’s in the past, and mixture of fact, fiction – history and fantasy. Am I going to sift through all and argue which is which, and who was here first and if the Buddha came here once or half a dozen times. Irrelevant.
I and a vast majority of Sri Lankans are buddhist, and will remain buddhist even if he came here or not. And now he is dead and gone. Only his teachings remain.
Either way you or I cannot prove anything in the mahavamsa unless a great tamil mind has invented a time machine.
Us moda sinhalese are not capable of that feat just yet. Too busy eating kavum you know. Who’s got the time..
However in the spirit of living in the present, – the present is this. Tamils in Sri Lanka are in a bad way.
Probably the worst they have been at anytime in our collective history.
The Sinhalese are mongrels. I don’t deny that. My own kids are half chinese mongrels and their birth certificates say Sinhalese. Quite proud of the fact I am continuing the great Sinhalese tradition of breeding with anyone.
But just like the mongrel dogs on the street, the sinalese are strong, adaptable and not prone to delusion about the real way of the world, and will breed with anyone and make alliances.
They will change according to what is needed, even if it means becoming Sri Lankans. They will accept anyone into the fold who wants to become one of them and accept them. They will worship any god, and all gods – just to be on the safe side.
They survived the indian invasions, the portugese, the dutch, the british, the JVP, the LTTE etc. etc. Still here and probably the strongest and most confident that they have ever been.
As for the tamils, I hate to say it, but with your narrow mentality of superiority over everyone, and then superiority within your own race, over those in ‘lower castes’, your divisions, your intellectual stupidity about debating the mahavamsa when your people are suffering and trying to raise there heads again – you’re like pomenarians. Nice to look at, pure bred, but not very useful in the real world.
Now’s not the time to debate the mahavamsa with us Sinhalese mongrels over tea and biscuits, you pure bred morons.
What you do now, here in the present, will determine the very existence of your people in the future.
Time to change your mentaility and smell the coffee.
Tomorrow is going to be a new decade. Cant change the past. But there is something you can do in the present
Help, help, help your people back home to raise there heads in the new decade. They don’t give two cents about the mahavamsa, and the vast majority of the sinhalese don’t either.
I won’t even bother talking about the muslims or burghers attitude towards the mahavamsa. Maha what??
Vast generalisation but I here more tamils talking about the Mahavamsa than I ever did with Sinhalese. Why is that?? I swear in my lifetime I have never discussed the mahavamsa or quoted the mahavamsa in a conversation. Maha my arse.
happy new year to you DBSJ, and all my other Sri Lankan brothers and sisters and may the new decade bring health, wealth and happiness to all our people.
Thank you and Happy new year to you………….DBSJ
WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
ANAIVARUKKUM PUTHANDU VAZHTHUKKAL.
ALUTH AWRATH SUBABATTUM (Thanks Punnagai Mannan, movie).
Thank you and wish you the same Mahesh…………DBSJ
#177
“things like discrimination based on language, equal access to jobs and education, can be very easily rectified and are being rectified.”- Ranjan Tronto why are you lieing man? You/your gov and people have done the opposite for the last over 60 years and still doing and dreaming of continuing.
Tamil Nadu leftist youth who went to South Africa for the gathering of international leftist students and youth, attended by 15,000 delegates from 126 countries, exposed the anti-human war Sri Lanka waged against Eezham Tamils. Speaking on the occasion, Dakshinamoorthy Lenin, the Tamil Nadu head of All India Youth Federation, described the war last year as genocide against Eezham Tamils, condemned Colombo’s treatment of Tamil youth, accused India for abetment through inaction, and pointed out that the war has not brought in political justice. Meanwhile, Colombo sent 180 politicians and youth to the event in a chartered flight along with Namal Rajapaksa and higher education minister S.B. Dissanayake. [ Full Report ]
• No Tamils in new civil service intake
[ Dec 26, 2010 23:30:22 GMT ] [ Lakbima News ]
Last week, President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented appointment papers to a new intake of 135 recruits to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS). The apex of the government’s bureaucracy, the SLAS is supposed to represent all communities which form the citizenry of this country. Alas, there were no Tamils and just a single Muslim among the new batch of recruits . None of the Tamil medium candidates were among two hundred and fifty seven candidates who were shortlisted for the interview. Even the Secretary of Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs P.B. Abeykoon confides that it was unfair. But, there is little room for remedy. •
Only Sinhalese anthem at Lankan PM’s function
Youth abducted, Sri Lanka colonial commander denies knowledge
Unidentified persons coming in a white van abducted a youth in Urumpiraay,
Jaffna, in broad daylight and in public, while he was riding a bicycle Thursday. When contacted by media over the incident, Sri Lanka’s colonial commander in Jaffna, Maj. Gen Hathurusinghe not only denied any knowledge of it, but also said that there are no chances for such abductions since the LTTE doesn’t exist now. When it was pointed out that public had witnessed the abduction and that the bicycle and slippers of the victim had been remaining on the street, the ‘Asian Nobel laureate’ General replied that the police would investigate into that matter. However, the police that picked up the evidence also denied any abduction.
Colombo fails to provide relief to Batticaloa flood victims
Flood victims in Batticaloa have complained that they have not received proper relief assistance for the last four days, Batticaloa District Parliamentarian P.Selvarasa told media Thursday. All the fourteen DS divisions in the Batticaloa district are under flood water and the number of affected persons has risen to 335,000.
DBS, please remove my previous response to James. I left out some sentences in that.
202. James
Yes, many Sinhalese believe that Buddha visited the island three times. I personally do not. Probably that belief came from Mahavansa, but more likely that could have been part of a much earlier oral tradition. Just because we Sinhalese believe something that was written in Mahavansa, does not make that document part of Buddhist scriptures. Ask any Buddhist in Sri Lanka what are the Buddhist scriptures, 99% the answer will be the Tripitaka and nothing else. Eve a 5th grade Sinhalese student knows that. This “Mahavansa mindset” is something invented by the separatist minded Tamils that want to justify their Ellam project.
For your information, the Buddhist Scriptures means the doctrine/philosophy, the code of conduct, and the sutras. Mahavansa does not contain any of those. Mahavansa is the historical record of the island written from a Buddhist perspective because it was written by a Buddhist monk. Just as similar to the records in medieval Europe where the records were written by learned Christian monks and friars and kept in abbeys and churches across Europe. Do the Christians consider those records as part of the Bible?
Contrary to what this writer is trying to invent, the Theravada Buddhism that is practice in Sri Lanka is no different to what is practiced in other SE Asian countries. Each country has given the religion a local color based on the culture and historical experience. That is all.
You write that the writer does not say that Sinhala race and language was not created by Ven Mahanama and other monks in 5 Century AD. Look at what he wrote: “Similarly, there was NO Sinhala race/tribe in Sri Lanka until the Mahavihara monks created it in the 5th century AD.” Isn’t that equivocal enough for you?
For some one to say that Sinhala race and language arose only after Mahavansa was written is pure poppycock. For one, Mahavansa was a compilation of earlier documents. I am no expert on this, but I believe that the stone inscriptions which pre-dates Mahavansa period show a script that is considered the foundation of Sinhala language.
The writer also say that Ven Mahanama witnessing the destruction of Buddhism in India decided to act. That is pure speculation. If that was the case, Ven Mahanama would have written that in his narrative. In addition, destruction of Buddhism in India was almost complete by 5th Centuary AD. That process started much earlier when either the grandson or the great grandson of Emperor Asoka was overthrown by Brahamins.
You say – “I do not think the writer is talking about engraving Mahavansa, he is talking about engraving Mahavamsa Buddhism or Sinhala Buddhism.”. Well the line is very fine here isn’t it? If the intention of the Sinhala Buddhists is to brainwash and engrave our kids with what you guys are trying to call “Mahavansa Buddhism”, why would we be so subtle about it? We would print millions of copies of Mahavansa and ask our kids to learn the damn document by heart!
If you survey Sinhalese and ask us how many of us has read Mahavansa, 90% would say they have not. On the other hand pretty much everyone will say that they know what the book is. Rather interesting fact about a book that our whole racial and language identity is suppose to be based on.
Lastly, yes, the writer does not say anything about separation, but he is trying to come up with an argument for it and produce a document with out any backing of references and evidence that probably will be used by other people as a reference to so called “Mahavansa Buddhism”.
224. Suresh
Have you ever cared to read any of my previous comments in the blog? I suggest that you go and read them. I have posted many comments on those points that you have asked me.
212. j.muthu
I ask every sinhala morons to answer THIVAS …..
———————————————————————
Why would we want to respond to a request from you who seems to a first class racist with a superiority complex? Or….may be is it an inferiority complex that we are dealing with here………..?????
Suria,
You have started like a scolor by disguising and then you have showed your true genocidal and biased .Mahinda /mahavamsa chinthanaya colours below. How many of you have peen paid by Mahinda. What you have said below are absolute lies.
“they received citizenship in Sri lanka because they were born in Sri Lanka or from their parents is completely mistaken by common assumption, one gets it from their father and father alone.) Therefore, all of those inter-racial marriages over centuries produced, Sinhala, Tamil, Burgher, Moor and Malay people determined by their father’s race, but having many mixed ancestry. That’s why Moors don’t look like Arabs anymore, and Malays don’t look like Malays, and Burghers don’t look like white Europeans and Sinhala people don’t look like Iranians and Tamils who’ve lived in Sri Lanka for many centuries (as opposed to the millions of Tamils that came to Sri Lanka in the last couple of centuries and still have close relatives that they can identify in Tamil Nadu) don’t look like Tamil Nadu Tamils. Another reason is that most Tamils who came to Sri Lanka several centuries ago assimilated into Sinhalese which you also seem to indicate in your comment. One can tell by many Sinhala last names that there were many such assimilations. This was not a racial issue by the way, no one held a gun to their head, this happened all over the world during those times as the natural process of migration in smaller numbers. This is also reason why Sinhala people did not accept the LTTE claim that they have been in Sri Lanka for 700 or 1500 years or whatever number they claimed at different times, not to mention that Prabharkaran himself had a father who was born and raised in Singapore until he was an adult. While it is true that Tamils came to Sri Lanka many centuries ago, most of them are assimilated into the Sinhala race. Most of the Tamils in North-East came more recently, within the last couple of centuries even though they claim they’ve been here for several centuries as claimed by the LTTE. Yes they absolutely have a right to live in Sri Lanka as equals, even if they came more recently but as much of other LTTE propanda, there was much mixing and changing of the truth concocted to serve a hidden agenda, which often even contradicte their own statements from week to week or month to month. About very 7 or 8 out of 10 Tamils I know in Sri Lanka have relatives in Tamil Nadu. Sometimes even as close as cousins. How is this possible if they came to Sri Lanka 700 or 1500 years ago? Notice I say ‘most’ not ‘all.’ Also know that I don’t have any problem with any Tamil living in Sri Lanka as equal citizens. I don’t like them distorting our history or spreading propaganda and insulting our religion, and I believe our borders should be secured because Sri Lanka is geographically small and we are already over-populated and cannot afford any more mass migrations from a 70-million strong Tamil Nadu population, or migration from anywhere else for that matter. But I fully support equality for all people including women of all races. Women’s equality is the main reason I am opposed to race-specific areas in Sri Lanka, be it Sinhala in the south, Tamil in the North or Moor or Muslim in the East. It is not a secret that women in the North, East or South where racial segregation is more prevalent are at a severe disadvantage than women of any race or religion living in mixed-race regions such as Colombo. It is much easier to trap women in centuries-old customs and racial and religious nonsense when they live in segregated societies.
So since we are so mixed perhaps we should call ourselves Sri Lankan (Lankan would be even better, where did we get the Sri part? Lanka was the term used prior to European invasions, there was no ‘Sri’ then) and abolish all races. I hear that that is what President Rajapakse plans to do! My only concern is that then we will only be divided by religion. Which in the future can become a worse problem that racial division. Unlike race, religious division is protected and sanctioned by all international groups stemming from the notion of religious freedom. It is also not a secret that most of the wars fought in world history were fought over religion. That is the only thing that worries me about making a Lanka that is only divided by religion. I hope we are not jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Quote: “Let us find a unity in our diversity and respect each other and our achievements as a people. If we believe we are unique, we are fooling ourselves and creating conditions for further divisiveness.” End quote.
Sinhala IS a unique language just as Tamil is. Just because this is so does not make us racist or against other races. It is obvious that Tamil and Sinhala ARE two different languages evolving from two completely different areas of India and if you want to go even further into history Sinhala language and people evolved from ancient Iran. Sinhala evolved mainly from Aryan languages and later of Buddhist influence through Pali and Tamil from Tamil in Tamil Nadu which is one of the ancient languages of the world by itself. Tamil in Sri Lanka did not become a unique and seperate from Tamil in Tamil Nadu because of continuing influence from Tamil Nadu. Because of the many influences coming together Sinhala did become a unique language which is natural when languages are geographically separated for thousands of years from their origins. The Sinhala script is completely related to and evolved from the ancient Pali script of Brahmi. Telugi is also related to Brahim, and thus the similarities. Knowing or accepting these do not prevent us from doing everything else you say in the above quote. I cannot agree and support you more! This is how I have always felt and still do, except that I wish to see women treated equally as well. We are so bothered by racial equality (which is good, but not enough!) but if one looks carefully one can see that racial equality in Sri Lanka is a lot more advanced (even surpassing most Western countries in things like representation in the Government (which was true for Tamils too if the Tamils and LTTE didn’t assassinate all the the Tamils in the Government thus eliminating the ones who were in the Government and scaring new Tamils from joining and to my utter dismay and grief to this day, killing the most brilliant Tamil statesmen and minds of our time)) than the equality of sexes. We must also afford people of modern equalities such as equality for GLBT community. Now that would me modern equality and a modern country.”
Here in Sri Lanka, we are approaching 2011. It is exactly 12 midnight on the last day of 2010. I wish you and your family a happy and a prosperous new year.
Leela
Thank you and Happy new year to you and family………..DBSJ
The Ankor wat is bult by Cambodians not any tamil, Suravarman and Jayavarman (Buddist) are due to thie religo linguistic similarity to Sanskrit India, this is like saying that the Sinhala ere building the Golden temple and Jaipur fort because their name is Sing, and both the above Indian Sings are differnt lots in neighbouring states; Rajput and Sikh. This is the problem with Tamis; their racist and false idea that every thing from cambodia to Sri lanka, to ancient nort-west India are them and only them, this is the mental problem they have; discredit other people of Asia / region and claim other peoples history ! These semi-intelligents may even claim that the ancient middle-eastern eelamites are the tami-velu peelamites!
The above for Sivanathan 229
Being the backbone of the british army in the genocide campaign of colonizing the subcontinent these are the rubbish views theve hatched up!
These rubbish mentality and motive is the root of all evil and their problems !
Thiva # 221
You guys talk about Karuna and Douglas’s thuggery, never made a hoot about Prabha’s thuggery for 30 yrs. Why?
That time only Karuna and Douglas were the progressive forces that helped showing the world, Prabha is not the sole representative of tamils in SL.
How many killings did LTTE do in their time before you guys surrendering to their way of thinking, betraying all your independent souls to be compatible with Velvetiturai bicycle hora’s mindset?
Did you complain of those kiilings? No. Then why do you complain now? What’s happening today could be means of clearing possible terrorist elements. Didn’t you guys do the same complaining when some terrorist elements in Colombo were cleared moaning about abductions. But we knew thanks to those abductions only nothing major happened in the Colombo city as Prabha planned.
Your way of seeking justice is like “Kanna onae unaama kabaragoya thalagoya” sort theories. Remember it’s not only in jaffna; murders, robberies do take place in other parts of the country too. By Jaffna being Prabha’s brainwashed city for a long time, do you expect it to become a ‘model of peace’ overnight?
Why do many tamils think only about them? Don’t you guys see the destruction done by LTTE thugs in your community to both races living in SL?
The problem is many Jaffna tamils are overly proud of their Jaffna culture as if it is somewhere alien to the rest of Sri Lanka.
They think Jaffna cannot have normal or abnormal other incidents, figures that the rest of country may have. This is what Tamils elite groups and afterwards LTTE tried brainwashing you guys with.
Remember, every other citizen in SL do have a pride of their culture, village, city, school… but that do not make fanatics in them. So it should be same with Jaffna too..
We know that Mahvamsa is a historical text, nor a religious text, the events surrounded among other things on the last bastion of anti-Buddist extermination.
We do not need this semi-inteligent Tami=profs with vested interests to let us know what we already know. This so called prof is confused or mixing the two as his hidden agenda.
We know to view our historical or religious texts with our eyes we know their differences. It is like getting Sangam lits and Bagwat Gita or the Ramayanaya mixed up !
Go spend your unwanted time in analizing in critical nature the finer points of your Sangams, Hindu and Christian texts !
Yes groups like Karas were bought to Lanka from Andra Pradesh as kshatariya worriors with mahabarat ancestory throughout history. At one point over 100 000 were settled in Lakshapatiya, Moratuwa. It is because of them that there is a Sinhalaya to talk about, to compaire and debate their finer points or to throw abuse at them, they would oter wise have been subjected to extermination in their own homeland by tami expansion, Chola genocide and marauding father of the Jaffna kingdom; kalinga maga aka arya chakravarti!!
Native kings mixed with south Indians through marriage, mercinaries, traders etc even till the Kandiyan kingdom; obviously this incluson throughout history does not fill the appetite to tami-expansion and tami-only ideas even today! Famous govi-political famalies like Bandaranayakes (possibly Obesekaras) also have Tamil decent! Salagames usualy are good and loyal Lankas who do not go on with tami this and tami that racist sick ideas though originally from Tami-nadu.!
These are some examples of people who have assimilated to their now home land, with a pro Lanka ideology that they will even lay their life down to protect it.
Similar problems are faces thorugh Muslim this and Islam that ideology in many developed parts of the world, and it id not just Muslim.
When this author cannot criticize the Sinhala it is transfered to the Portugese, all along the Tamil remains with saintli inocence! Let get a better understanding of this tami saintly innocence;
This person is educated in the british raj authorised version of the history of the subcontinent and the science of genetics is unknown to him. He seems to know nothing about the Rama invasion and hanuman reducing lanka to ashes. He seems to have many invasions, acts of genocide and many other attempts on lanka by tamil monarchs. Prince Vijaya married first the lankan queen Kuveni then queens from madhurai, Tamil Nadu. But this Tamil inclusion appears was and is not enough. Modern genetical analysys points to the mixed ethnicity of Sinhalas to 25%, Tamis to 15%, Bengal in north India to 20% and Rajastanis to a mere 3%. Shows these racists love to discredit other Indians and Sri Lankans. Tamil madras regiment was also the first regiment used by the British in the colonizing proces. This started with Robert Clive and his Tamil sepoys killing Thippu Sultan and then the Hindu Maratha Federation. The above mentioned British and Tamil versions created were of mutual benefit to them in both SL and India. Archaeological evidence of Mohenjedaro and Harrappa point the demise of the urban culture to drought and economic conditions, pointing no evidence to mass invasion or war. The oldest Hindu Vedic scripts states ‘They came through the broad streats…’ and not ‘We came…’, the mindset of a native not an invading force. India has been invaded by aryan/european tribes, mongols, afgans, greeks, moughals, british and many others. This does not make Indians or north Indians Europeans or any other kind as you try to show. Genetical, archaeological, technological and historical evidence of the decendants of the people of the Indus valley are in the surrounding areas, not thousands of miles south in Tamil-Nadu as you may wish. Not only people, even architecture and technology is still in use in places close to the indus valley today, like the fishing boats in Pakistan and Punjab. The original tribes in India constitute 8% of the present Indian population. The vast majority of them in the remote central India(mdhya pradesh), however comprising only about 10% of the state population. North-eastern India comprises about a third of the population comprising upto 80% of the population in some states, and less than 1% in Tamil-Nadu. This clears ‘the Myth of the saintly Tamil’.
The demographic impact of migration happened not only to all coastal regions, especially norteastern regions but also the central hills. Why only to south west of Lanka? why the people before did not know how to fish, toddy tap and peel cinamon ??
Could it also be that this new north-eastern settlements were sponsored by the Portugese Catholics and the present trouble makers are descended from them?
Tamils also have Sinhala blood, eastern Tamils even names and traditions. Chola genocide and tami expansion could not fully eradicate.
Long before SWRD Tamils wiere wanting 50 50 reps, which is a form of apartheid, an insult, contempt and disregard for the the Sinhala majority to whom this land is their only homeland and their identity is their survival and the stubborn but just and admirable defence of their alternate view; language and religion !
Also people like GG were spewing anti-Buddist / Sinhala hatred speeches and propaganda from early 20th century. The issues neglected are the Soviet discovery of oil in the manar basin (70′s) and the emergence of Indian trained (foreign funded) rebel groups!
The strength an argument is subject to opinion and we fare capable to form our judgement; the point is your criticism is weak or rather you have no answer !!.
We dont need to give too much regard to the speciality of Buddism/Lankan criticism by these Tamil hi-scholars and their vested interests. At lest we have a written lineage and account, every historical account anywhere in the world throughout human history is subject to some exaggeration, adding and subtractions.
These fellows either have no historical literature to counter our herritage, that is why they are merely critical, the earliest Tami lits: Sangam recognize Nagadeepa, etc as Buddist sites !
These fellows are also unable to be critiques of Tamil, Christian and Hindu ideology / mythology !!!
Buddists worship the many Hindu gods. Practically how many Tamils worship the Buddha?
Till recently we did not have the right to go any where in our only motherland, it was just the right of these inbred communalists! Now we have to explain our existance in our only homeland !!
Praise Ven. Mahanama of Mahavihara, no Mahanama = extermination of our native culture. Thanks to him we survived to tell the tale and Buddisms last refuge in the subcontinent. !
For 209,214, etc.;
Tamil sangam literatue states Nagadeepa as an important Buddist site
Hello Sivanthan 229, bellow for u::
Oh how true, Lankan, S Indian and Nagaland nagas are the same !
You think you know !
Is this the confused banter you try to feed !
If matters I descend from Duttugamunu the Great !
We know that Mahvamsa is a historical text, nor a religious text, the events surrounded among other things on the last bastion of anti-Buddist extermination.
We do not need this semi-inteligent Tami=profs with vested interests to let us know what we already know. This so called prof is confused or mixing the two as his hidden agenda.
We know to view our historical or religious texts with our eyes we know their differences. It is like getting Sangam lits and Bagwat Gita or the Ramayanaya mixed up !
Go spend your unwanted time in analizing in critical nature the finer points of your Sangams, Hindu and Christian texts !
Yes groups like Karas were bought to Lanka from Andra Pradesh as kshatariya worriors with mahabarat ancestory throughout history. At one point over 100 000 were settled in Lakshapatiya, Moratuwa. It is because of them that there is a Sinhalaya to talk about, to compaire and debate their finer points or to throw abuse at them, they would oter wise have been subjected to extermination in their own homeland by tami expansion, Chola genocide and marauding father of the Jaffna kingdom; kalinga maga aka arya chakravarti!!
Native kings mixed with south Indians through marriage, mercinaries, traders etc even till the Kandiyan kingdom; obviously this incluson throughout history does not fill the appetite to tami-expansion and tami-only ideas even today! Famous govi-political famalies like Bandaranayakes (possibly Obesekaras) also have Tamil decent! Salagames usualy are good and loyal Lankas who do not go on with tami this and tami that racist sick ideas though originally from Tami-nadu.!
These are some examples of people who have assimilated to their now home land, with a pro Lanka ideology that they will even lay their life down to protect it.
Similar problems are faces thorugh Muslim this and Islam that ideology in many developed parts of the world, and it id not just Muslim.
When this author cannot criticize the Sinhala it is transfered to the Portugese, all along the Tamil remains with saintli inocence! Let get a better understanding of this tami saintly innocence;
This person is educated in the british raj authorised version of the history of the subcontinent and the science of genetics is unknown to him. He seems to know nothing about the Rama invasion and hanuman reducing lanka to ashes. He seems to have many invasions, acts of genocide and many other attempts on lanka by tamil monarchs. Prince Vijaya married first the lankan queen Kuveni then queens from madhurai, Tamil Nadu. But this Tamil inclusion appears was and is not enough. Modern genetical analysys points to the mixed ethnicity of Sinhalas to 25%, Tamis to 15%, Bengal in north India to 20% and Rajastanis to a mere 3%. Shows these racists love to discredit other Indians and Sri Lankans. Tamil madras regiment was also the first regiment used by the British in the colonizing proces. This started with Robert Clive and his Tamil sepoys killing Thippu Sultan and then the Hindu Maratha Federation. The above mentioned British and Tamil versions created were of mutual benefit to them in both SL and India. Archaeological evidence of Mohenjedaro and Harrappa point the demise of the urban culture to drought and economic conditions, pointing no evidence to mass invasion or war. The oldest Hindu Vedic scripts states ‘They came through the broad streats…’ and not ‘We came…’, the mindset of a native not an invading force. India has been invaded by aryan/european tribes, mongols, afgans, greeks, moughals, british and many others. This does not make Indians or north Indians Europeans or any other kind as you try to show. Genetical, archaeological, technological and historical evidence of the decendants of the people of the Indus valley are in the surrounding areas, not thousands of miles south in Tamil-Nadu as you may wish. Not only people, even architecture and technology is still in use in places close to the indus valley today, like the fishing boats in Pakistan and Punjab. The original tribes in India constitute 8% of the present Indian population. The vast majority of them in the remote central India(mdhya pradesh), however comprising only about 10% of the state population. North-eastern India comprises about a third of the population comprising upto 80% of the population in some states, and less than 1% in Tamil-Nadu. This clears ‘the Myth of the saintly Tamil’.
The demographic impact of migration happened not only to all coastal regions, especially norteastern regions but also the central hills. Why only to south west of Lanka? why the people before did not know how to fish, toddy tap and peel cinamon ??
Could it also be that this new north-eastern settlements were sponsored by the Portugese Catholics and the present trouble makers are descended from them?
Tamils also have Sinhala blood, eastern Tamils even names and traditions. Chola genocide and tami expansion could not fully eradicate.
Long before SWRD Tamils wiere wanting 50 50 reps, which is a form of apartheid, an insult, contempt and disregard for the the Sinhala majority to whom this land is their only homeland and their identity is their survival and the stubborn but just and admirable defence of their alternate view; language and religion !
Also people like GG were spewing anti-Buddist / Sinhala hatred speeches and propaganda from early 20th century. The issues neglected are the Soviet discovery of oil in the manar basin (70′s) and the emergence of Indian trained (foreign funded) rebel groups!
The strength an argument is subject to opinion and we fare capable to form our judgement; the point is your criticism is weak or rather you have no answer !!.
We dont need to give too much regard to the speciality of Buddism/Lankan criticism by these Tamil hi-scholars and their vested interests. At lest we have a written lineage and account, every historical account anywhere in the world throughout human history is subject to some exaggeration, adding and subtractions.
These fellows either have no historical literature to counter our herritage, that is why they are merely critical, the earliest Tami lits: Sangam recognize Nagadeepa, etc as Buddist sites !
These fellows are also unable to be critiques of Tamil, Christian and Hindu ideology / mythology !!!
Buddists worship the many Hindu gods. Practically how many Tamils worship the Buddha?
Till recently we did not have the right to go any where in our only motherland, it was just the right of these inbred communalists! Now we have to explain our existance in our only homeland !!
Praise Ven. Mahanama of Mahavihara, no Mahanama = extermination of our native culture. Thanks to him we survived to tell the tale and Buddisms last refuge in the subcontinent. !
We know that Mahvamsa is a historical text, nor a religious text, the events surrounded among other things on the last bastion of anti-Buddist extermination.
We do not need this semi-inteligent Tami=profs with vested interests to let us know what we already know. This so called prof is confused or mixing the two as his hidden agenda.
We know to view our historical or religious texts with our eyes we know their differences. It is like getting Sangam lits and Bagwat Gita or the Ramayanaya mixed up !
Go spend your unwanted time in analizing in critical nature the finer points of your Sangams, Hindu and Christian texts !
Yes groups like Karas were bought to Lanka from Andra Pradesh as kshatariya worriors with mahabarat ancestory throughout history. At one point over 100 000 were settled in Lakshapatiya, Moratuwa. It is because of them that