The book.
This 1817 book by 'A. M. Philalethes' traces the history of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from the classical period to 1815, providing details of the religion, laws and manners of the people. An appendix contains an account, originally published in 1681, by Robert Knox (1641–1720) of his nearly twenty-year captivity on the island.
The book, which includes topographical notes and a collection of moral maxims and ancient proverbs, begins with classical accounts of the Island of Ceylon by Ptolemy, among others, and moves from this 'imperfect acquaintance with this remote region' to Knox's 'lively picture of the state of the country and manners of the people' which, according to 'Philalethes', was among the most important possessions of Great Britain.
The author(s).
The identity of the pseudonymous 'Philalethes' is not certain: he may have been Robert Fellowes (1770–1847), who, however, never visited Ceylon, or the Revd G. Bissett.
Buddha and his origin in Ceylon.
1. This book preciously explains that Boodh, as Buddha is named in the book, had appeared in the island 623 BC. (Chapter - XXX,Page-193)
" THE present worship of the Singalese owes its origin to Buddh, who appeared in the island 623 years before the birth of Christ."
2. The city Candy had been the city of the emperor Zuddodene Raja. (Chapter-XXX,Page-194)
"… the emperor of Candy had resolved to marry him (the Boodh,Buddha) to Princess Jasodera, who had been born on the same day with Boodh."
3. Buddha had mentioned that countries like Ceylon, Siam and Arracan got their sovereignty by the descendents of the emperor Zuddodene Raja. (Chapter - XXX,Page-196)
" …at his(Buddha's) death, he had ordered that Ceylon, Siam, and Arracan, should particularly engage their attention, as the sovereignty of those countries was vested in the decedents of the emperor, Zuddodene Raja."
4. Buddha's passing away had happened in Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). (Chapter-XXX,Page-198)
" ….They have also a tradition that he passed most of his time on Adam's Peak, where he resided at his death."
(The distance between Colombo and Budugala, where the Parinibbana or the passing away of Buddha had happened, is 167 Km and Colombo to Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) is 146 Km).
(This blog post was compiled
with the information provided by Miss. Subhashinie Kumari)
Kandy (Candy).
Noble Sidduhath was born as the noble prince of the great King Suddodana - this is a blessing, He, the noble prince, was born in the central region of the city called Kibulwath - this is a blessing, Mara (the evil thoughts or defilements) was conquered (Buddha got his enlightenment) by the charisma of the ten Paramis (virtual practices) - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed with the supra mandane virtues of the gem called Buddha (who is possessed with above noble qualities)
• central region - මැද්ද මණ්ඩල- the center of the country
• city - නුවර - even to this date the main city in the central region is called නුවර (Nuwara) in Sinhala, Kandy in English
• Kibulwath - කිඹුල් වත- 'Kibul - කිඹුල් ' is for the crocodile, 'watha - වත ' is for the body. This means the city having a shape of a body of a crocodile. The central region of Sri Lanka resembles with the body ( the view from the top ) of a crocodile.
• Gem - Sri Lankan Buddhist consider Buddha, Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) and Sanga (the members of the non-lay disciples of Buddha) as Triple Gems.
For further information read all Mangalam Kavi (පුරාණ මංගලම් කවි)
For further information read all Mangalam Kavi (පුරාණ මංගලම් කවි)
