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Sri Lanka The Buddhist Community
In the absence of the Buddha, the custodian of his message is
the assembly
(sangha--see Glossary)
of monks who carry on
his work. The members of the Buddhist assembly practice the
discipline (vinaya) set forth by the Buddha as a system of
rules for a monastic order. The discipline calls for strict
control over the senses and dedicated meditation by the
individual monk
(bhikku--see Glossary).
Following the
Buddha's example, the monk should spend the morning begging for
food from the lay community, then abstain from meals after noon.
He should shave his head, wear orange (or yellow) robes, and own
only his clothes and a begging bowl. He should avoid all sexual
contact or any other forms of sensual pleasure. The bhikku
should rest in one place for an extended period only during the
rainy season, when groups of mendicants may stay together in
communal houses (vihara). Elaborate rules evolved for
admitting novices to the monastic community and conferring
ordination on bhikku who passed through a period of
initiation and training. The strict organization of the monastic
order created a solid basis for the preservation of the Buddha's
message and a readily adaptable institution that was transplanted
in a variety of social environments throughout Asia.
Buddhism in Sri Lanka has its roots deep in one of the
earliest variants of Buddhism that survives in the world today.
The Sinhalese call their beliefs Theravada, or "the doctrine of
the elders." Their tradition, frequently described as Hinayana
(meaning "lesser vehicle"), preserves a clear understanding of
the Buddha as a man who achieved enlightenment and developed
monks (arhat) as accomplished followers of his teachings.
This tradition differs from the more widespread Mahayana ("great
vehicle"), which often treats the Buddha as a superhuman being
and fills the universe with a pantheon of enlightened figures
(bodhisattvas) who help others achieve enlightenment. In Sri
Lanka, people do not officially worship the Buddha, but show
reverence to his memory. The most striking expressions of public
reverence are dagoba or thupa (stupa), large mounds
built over sites where relics of the Buddha or a great monk are
buried. The dagoba in Sri Lanka preserve a spherical shape
and a style of architectural embellishment that link them
directly to the monuments originally erected over the Buddha's
remains in ancient India. The traditions of the Sinhalese
indicate that their oldest dagoba are at least 2,000 years
old, from a period when genuine relics of the Buddha came to Sri
Lanka. The conservative nature of Sinhalese Buddhism is
strengthened through the preservation and living tradition of
ancient scriptures in the
Pali (see Glossary)
language. A dialect
related to Sanskrit, the classical language of India, Pali is
probably close to the popular language in northeastern India
during the Buddha's time. The monks of Sri Lanka have kept alive
an unbroken Pali transmission of monastic rules, stories of the
Buddha's life, and philosophical treatises that may constitute
the oldest body of written Buddhist traditions.
For people who do not become monks, the most effective method
of progressing on the road to enlightenment is to accumulate
merit (pin) through moral actions. One who performs duties
faithfully in this world, who supports the monastic order, and
who is compassionate to other living beings may hope to achieve a
higher birth in a future life, and from that position accumulate
sufficient merit and knowledge to achieve enlightenment.
Meritorious activities include social service, reverence of the
Buddha at shrines or at dagoba, and pilgrimage to sacred
places. Gifts to monks rank among the most beneficial meritmaking activities. Lay devotees invite monks to major events,
such as a death in the family or the dedication of a building,
and publicly give them food and provisions. In return, the monks
perform pirit, the solemn recitation of Pali Buddhist
scriptures. Although the average person may not understand a word
of the ancient language, simply hearing the words and bestowing
presents on the monks accumulates merit for the family or even
for deceased family members. Some wealthy donors may hold giftgiving ceremonies simply for the public accumulation of merit.
The monks thus perform important roles for the laity at times of
crisis or accomplishment, and they serve as a focus for public
philanthropy.
Data as of October 1988
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