The arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the beginning of the historical period

 

Sri Lanka is considered to enter its historical period with the introduction of Buddhism to the island around 246 BC.At that time,the Indian emperor Asoka sent his son Mahinda  on a diplomatic mission to Sri Lanka.Asoka had converted to Buddhism and wanted his son to spread the religion in Sri Lanka. Mahinda succeeded in convincing the ruler of Sri Lanka to convert to Buddhism.Later,Asoka's daughter Sanghamitra brought a shoot of the Bodhi tree (the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment) from Bodh Gaya in Sri Lanka.The nun (bikshuni) Sanghamitra established an order of Buddhist nuns there.With the support of the Sri Lankan royal family, Buddhism became the dominant religion on the island.It is one of the few countries in the world where Buddhism has been practiced without interruption from its introduction to the present day.From the beginning of the historical period,Sri Lankan architecture was deeply influenced by Buddhism.Successive kings made it a point of honor to build religious monuments in order to show their power and to obtain,at the same time,the various spiritual benefits attributed to those who erect such buildings.

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