Cultural Relationship between Sri Lanka and Burma

1. Cultural Relationship Between Sri Lanka and Burma.
Archeological evidence and Literary Repots.
• Sasana Jinacakka
• Jinakalamali
• Buruma Sasana Vansa
• Asgiri Ola leafe
• Kalyana inscription
• Mahavansa
• Thupavansa
• Pujawaliya

2. • As a result of 3rd Buddhist council, relationships were started. (folklore)
• With historical evidence – 11th century AD.
Relationships.
• Exchanging monks when decline disciplinary codes (higher ordination)
• Sri Lanka was a oasis for Burmese monks.
• Considering Sri Lanka as a sacred land by Burmese monks.
• As a center (Sri Lanka) for receiving Buddhist text and sacred things.
Common Features
• Following same tradition (Therava Tradition.)
• Buddhist rulers.
• Religion same

3. • The 1st record is laying the foundation ceremony of Mahathupa in 2nd century BC.
• Mahavansa and Thupavansa urge that 9600 monks were engaged.
• Burmese monks have made pilgrimage from 2nd century BC.
• Buddhaghosa Thero came to Sri Lanka from the city Sudammavati in 5th century
AD. (Buddhagosa uppatti by Siyam monk)
• Sasana Jinacakka – Buddhaghosa brought Helatuwa and copy of commentaries
and those things were venerated by King Dhammapala establishing a shrine room
in Burma.
• History of Ramanna – Full of 2 ships with Buddhist Text were sailed to Burma.

4. 11th century AD, Reign of ing Wijabahu 1st and King Anuruddha.
• Canonical text and sacred thing carry to Burma
• Jinakala malini – 2 ships with canonical text and Buddha statue created by a
gem.
• Replica of tooth relic. (Tooth relic was requested by king Anuruddha)
• Checking correction of Canon.
• Helping with weapons for expelling Cola in Polonnaruwa. ( 1060 Ad)
• Re-establishment of higher ordination by Burmese monk in Sri Lanka.

5. Higher Ordination
• Buddhism was decline in this period because political background;
war conflict, lack of royal patronage, invasion, robbed the temple,
force to disrobe, torture and oppression for monk.
• It was very difficult to find at least 5 monk for Vinaya action.
• Requesting monk from Burma sending gifts by Sri Lankan king.
• Inscription of Plonnaruwa “Wellaikkal and inscription of Wijayabahu
1st ”; Information of Burmese monks who came from Burma.

6. 12th century AD, Reign of king Parakramabahu 1st and King
Alaunsithu, Narathinkha, Narapatisithu.
• Conquering Burma by the great king Parakramabahu.
• Political conflict between king Narathu and Minshinso.
• Pilgrimage made by monk Uttarajeewa adviser or king Narathinkha.
• Conducting higher ordination of monk Cappata.
• Establishment of Sihala Sangha tradition by Cappata with moks in
Mahawihara under the royal patronage of king Narapatisithu.
• Kalyana Inscription : Thamralipthaye Sivali thero / Kambojaye
Thamalinda / Kancipuraye Ananda / Lankawe Rahula.

7. 13th and 14th century
• Spreading Sihala Sangha tradition in south side of Burma.
• Sasanawansa: Reign of king Binnya U monk Medhanka Studied
Dhamma in Sri Lanka and went back Burma; works of
Lokappadipasara.
• Reign of Dharamaraja monks came to Sri Lanka for education.
• Reign of Narapatisithu: carried relics of Buddha and established a
pagoda.
• King Monyinthando established a temple for Sri Lankan monk
Mahasami. (the first forest monk; tradition Arannyawasi)

8. 15th century;
• Sankhepawannana was written by Suwannasobhana; Burmese monk.
• Studied and taught in Vijayabha piriven of Totagamuwa.
• Erecting Thuparama pagoda in Burma by monk Mahasami under
supervision of Monk Sariputta.
• King Narapati bought a land at Kotte for pilgrimers who came from
Burma.
• Getting higher ordination 1600 Burmese monks in Sri Lanka.

9. Considering Sri Lanka as a land for pilgrimage
• Tooth relic, bo-tree and Maha cetiya were the main symbol.
• Bought lands in Sri Lanka.
• Erecting pagodas in Burma by using names of Mahiyangana,
Thuparama and Rathnamali.
• Sacrificing many things for tooth relic; Kalyani Inscription – boul made
by blue shaper, golden cascade for relics were sent by king
Dhammacetiya.
• Many efforts to gain tooth relic into Burma.

10. Further more……..
• Magadhi language used by both countries as a official language.
• Compiling books in Magadhi consider as a good deed.
• Names of many books which compiled in Sri Lanka have include into
Burmese Pali book list.
• Naming Burmese cities in Pali Language; Arimaddana Puraya, Sudhamma
Puraya, Hansawati Puraya.
• Influence of Sri Lanka art, literature and architecture; paint of Pagan
Temple such as Defeating Elara by King Dutugamunu, Arrival of Mahinda
thero
• Paint of Minkabha Kubyank gyi : Mahinda thero, King Devanampiyatissa,
Dutugamunu, Wasabha, Sirisangabo, Arrival of the Buddha, sending gift by
Ashoka, meeting of Maha Mahinda and Kind Devanampiyatissa, arrival of
Sangamitta, sending women clothe to father by Dutugamunu, image of
Elara, giving punishment to son of Elara,

11. • Origination of Burmese alphabet.
• Influence of writing style of Sri Lanka ; Rajavansa,
Mahasammatavansa, Sasanavansa.
• Dr. Godakumbura; ruins of Pagan are similar to architecture in
Polonnaruwa period.
• Sri Lankan influence for judicial process in Burma.
• Arising chapters of Amarapura and Ramanna;

12. Conclustoin.
• Laying foundation of Mahacetiya.
• Arrival of Buddhism into south side Burma in 11th century AD.
• Sri Lankan canonical text bringing into Pagan, Burma.
• Arrival of Cappataka in reign of the king Parakumba 1st and getting
higher ordination at Mahavihara, spreading Sri Lanka ordination in
Burma.
• Establishing Chapters in Sri Lanka, Amarapura and Ramanna.