{දඹදිව උරුමය හෙළයාටයි (The people in Sri Lanka only can claim the heritage of Dambadiva)} Part I

වචන කිහිපයක්

The writing of the Tripitakas (1) was occurred in the island of Sri Lanka. This is a solid factor to be used for its claim over Buddhist heritage. Later, Attha Kathaas (2) were written for the understanding of this Pela Dhamma. The Pela was explained in Hela language. As a new language called Pali with a grammatical back ground was s originated, the Dhamma lost its real meanings and the historical heritage.

Due to many Indian invasions and Lanka being a colony under the British rule for many years, the history of Lanka and Buddha Dhamma experienced a messy situation. Even though the original names given in Hela language for the people and the places were changed and modified due to the invasions of the nations in the west, based on the gatherings of certain information taken from the texts written by them, we still have the opportunity to prove our historical details, at least up to some extent.

I never had the feeling that I will get a chance to explain the word Dhambadiva with the help of a book written by an Englishman. It should be accepted as a Dharmatha, when the time comes the truth shines over. Mrs Subashini Kindelpitiya helped me by providing the foreign information to write this small book.  It should be specially mentioned about her and also I would like to pass the merits which I would acquire by doing this act of writing this book.    

My sincere gratitude should be passed on the Vice Principal Mr. Thilaka Hapuaarachchi for the support given to me by checking the proofs, to Mr. D K Rajapaksha who enhanced this work by giving the illustrations for the Hela language of vocal signs and also to the proprietor and the staff of the Pabasara Printers who rendered their best in printing this book. 

Mukalangamuwe Panyananda Isthavira

Sri Jinendraramaya

Opatha

Kotugoda

Sri Lanka

2012.10.20

(1)  ‘The Three Baskets’ is the name for the three main divisions of the Pali Canon : The Basket of Discipline (Vinaya Pitaka), The Basket of Discourses (Sutta Pitaka) and The Basket of Philosophy (Abhidhamma Pitaka).

(2) අට්‌ඨ කතා (Attaha Kathaa) – අට්‌ඨ is for Eight. කතා is for Stories. These are The Stories of the Eight. Or these are the stories written to explain The Eight. Later, these were known as අර්ථ කතා (Attha Kathaa). අර්ථ is for Meaning. කතා is for Stories. The English term commonly used for this is ‘The Commentaries’.

{The English translation of 'දඹදිව උරුමය හෙළයාටයි' 

(The people in Sri Lanka only can claim the heritage of Dambadiva)} Part I  

Translated by Amal Meemanage (amalmeemanage@gmail.com)