A Deep Dive into the Buddhist Heritage of Sri Lanka

Buddhism has been an integral part of Sri Lanka’s culture for more than 2,000 years. The island nation was among the first places outside of India to adopt Buddhism, and it remains the longest continual majority Buddhist country in the world. Sri Lankan Buddhist missionary monks also played a key role in the spread of Theravada Buddhism to nearby Southeast Asia. Let’s explore the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, from its roots in the third century BCE to its significance in modern Sri Lankan life. 

 
Buddhism’s Arrival in Sri Lanka 
 
According to ancient Buddhist chronicles like the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century BCE. These sources claim that the Indian Buddhist elder Mahinda and the elder nun Sanghamitta, both said to be children of Ashoka the Great, a third-century Indian emperor, were responsible for bringing Buddhism to the island. However, although Ashoka’s Edicts mentions sending a Buddhist mission to Sri Lanka, some modern scholars are skeptical about Mahina and Sanghamitta’s specific involvement. 
 

When Mahinda and Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka, the island was under the control of King Delvanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura. The king converted to Buddhism and encouraged his people to do so, as well. In addition, he supervised the construction of the island’s first Buddhist stupas and communities, along with a park for the city’s Buddhists.  

 
The spread of Buddhism continued to gain momentum during the reign of Dutugamy and Valagamba. By the second century BCE, Buddhism had become well-established and was a unifying force in Sri Lanka’s political and cultural landscape.  
 

The Development and Spread of Buddhism 
 
The spread of Buddhism in ancient Sri Lanka predated unification, as various chiefs ruled the island’s regions. Duttagamani Abhaya, the ruler of Anuradhapura, emerged as a prominent chief during this period. As Buddhism gained influence, Anuradhapura’s political dominion expanded across the island and the city flourished for 1,300 years before being invaded in 993. 

 
The Vijaya dynasty ruled until 65 CE, followed by the Lambakanna dynasty. The latter dynasty was led by King Mahasena, who implemented major irrigation projects and advocated for diverse sects of Buddhism. However, the dynasty succumbed to a Pandyan invasion in 432 CE. The second Lambakanna dynasty, founded by Manavamma, endured for about four centuries, with close ties between the island’s kings and southern India. 

 
In 1070, Vijayabahu liberated Sri Lanka from the Cola occupation and relocated the capital to Polonnaruwa as a strategy to defend against threats from south India. Over the next 150 years, Polonnaruwa flourished. 
  

The monarchy served as the cohesive force in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras. Rooted in Brahmanic tradition but strongly influenced by Buddhism, kings were both practitioners and benefactors of Buddhist institutions. Maintaining clergy support was crucial for a stable reign. This symbiosis fostered Buddhism’s growth, as kings, nobles, and commoners generously backed temples, monasteries, learning centers, and intricately carved sanctuaries. 

 
Major Buddhist Sites in Sri Lanka 
 
Sri Lanka is home to four Buddhist UNESCO World Heritage sites, all of which are must-see sites for tourists visiting the island. 

 
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa—Sri Lanka’s second capital, the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. These well-preserved ruins are one of the most awe-inspiring attractions on the island. Highlights include a series of Brahmanic monuments constructed by the Cholas and the remnants of a magnificent city of gardens built by the ruler Parakhramabahu I in the 12th century. 

 
Golden Temple of Dambulla—Also known as the Dambulla Cave Temple, the Golden Temple of Dambulla is the largest of several Buddhist cave temple complexes in Sri Lanka. It is also in the best condition, with rock towers, paintings, and statues scattered throughout a series of five caves. All of this artwork has Buddhist themes, with a focus on the Buddha and his life story. The caves feature 153 statues of the Buddha, along with three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four of Hindu deities, such as Vishnu and Ganesha. 

 
Sacred City of Anuradhapura—The Sacred City of Anuradhapura’s founding was intimately linked with Buddhism. According to UNESCO, it was built around a cutting from the Buddha’s “tree of enlightenment,” which Sanghamitta planted there in the third century B.C. The city was Sri Lanka’s political and religious center for 1,300 years before being abandoned in 993 after an invasion. The abandoned city was forgotten about in the Sri Lankan jungle before being rediscovered by archaeologists. Highlights of the site include a variety of Buddhist monuments, monasteries, and palaces. 
 

Sacred City of Kandy—Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and was also a key religious and cultural hub as the last capital of the country’s ancient era of kings. The city’s ancient Buddhist heritage remains omnipresent today, with a variety of historical sites to be explored. Some of the top Buddhist sites include the Bahirawakanda Temple and The Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is a major pilgrimage site for contemporary Buddhists.