Course Outline: ST402 Buddhism in Sri Lanka, 2011/2012, Semester 2

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
Second Semester (December 05, 2011–April 07, 2012) Academic Year 2011/2012
Subject: 
ST402 - Special Topic IV
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Elective subject
Instructor: 
Tilak Kariyawasam教授
Recommended Texts: 
  • Adikaram, E.W. Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon. Colombo : Buddhist Cultural Center, 1946.
  • Barua, B.M. Ceylon Lectures. 2nd ed. Delhi : Sri Satguru. 1986.
  • Bond, George D. Buddhist Revival in Sri Lanka. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2006.
  • Everding, Ulrich, & Asanga Tilakaratna, eds. Wilhelm Geiger and the Study of History and Culture of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Goethe Institute & Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, 2000.
  • Guruge, Ananda W. P. From the Living Fountains of Buddhism. Colombo: The Ministry of cultural affairs, 1994.
  • Ilangasingha, H.B.M. Buddhism in Medieval Sri Lanka. Delhi: Sri Satguru, 1992.
  • Knighton, William. The History of Ceylon. Delhi: Sri Satguru, 1993.
  • Prere, H.R. Buddhism in Sri Lanka- A short History. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1988.
  • Rahula, Walpola. History of Buddhism in Ceylon. Colombo: M.D. Gunasena, 1956.
  • Seneviratna, Anuradha. & Benjamin Polk. Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka. Delhi: Abhinav, 1992.
Course Organization: 
  • Lecture 1 Maha Mahinda Thera’s Mission to Sri Lanka and Conversion of King Devanmpiyatissa to Budhist Faith.
  • Lecture 2 Pre-Buddhist religions in Sri Lanka and the establishment of Buddhism in the Sri Lankan soil and the development of Buddhist Culture.
  • Lecture 3 Invasion of Tamils and Restoration of the Sasana by King Dutthagamini.
  • Lecture 4 The First Schism in the period of King Vattagamini Abhaya and the Mahavihara’s attempt to protect the purity of the Theravada tradition.
  • Lecture 5 Arrival of sacred tooth relic and becoming the major religious symbol of the Sri Lankan Nation.
  • Lecture 6 Emergence of Atthakathacariyas and the Pali Chronicles.
  • Lecture 7 Revival of Buddhism during the King Vijayabahu Ist and Under the King Parakramabahu the Great and the Sinhala literary revival.
  • Lecture 8 During King Parakramabahu the VIth the King Dhammaceti of Burma, monks obtain Upasampada in the Kalyani Sima.
  • Lecture 9 Portuguese rule of Kotte and destruction of Buddhist and Hindu religious places around the coastal area.
  • Lecture 10 Vimala Dharmasuriya restored the damages done to the Buddhist places and the arrival of Dutch.
  • Lecture 11 Velivita Sri Saranankara Thera’s attempt to restore Sangha Sasana and the revival of Siyam - Sri Lanka cultural relations.
  • Lecture 12 Origins of Modern Nikaya system and the beginning of Christians and Buddhists debate during the British rule of Sri Lanka.
  • Lecture 13 Buddhist revival activities and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and Anagarika Dharmapala.
  • Lecture 14 Buddha Jayanti celebration and the new political movement came to Power; Buddhist monks entered to politics.
  • Lecture15 Development of Buddhist education and origins of Buddhist Universities.
Course Requirements: 

All students are expected:

  • 1. To attend minimum of 80% of the schedule classes to be eligible to sit for the final examination.
  • 2. Students are required to write an essay not less than 1500 words.
  • 3. Class Participation.
  • 4. Midterm written examination.
  • 5. Presentation.
  • 6. Final written examinations.
  • 7. For essay writing related helpful guide: http://ibc.ac.th/faqingessayguide
Allocation of Marks: 
  • 1. Class participation 5%
  • 2. Written Assignment 15%
  • 3. Midterm Examination 20%
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60%
Course Objectives: 

This course is intended to provide the students full knowledge of the development of Theravada Buddhist Culture in Sri Lanka based on Mahavihara and later spread it to other south Asian countries. Special focus will be given how Buddhism was spread to the West and the Pali Tipitaka was written in the Roman script as a result of Pali expertise knowledge of Sri Lankan monks and later Theravada Buddhism was known to the whole world.

Grading: 

All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:

Grade Performance Grade value Percentage Equivalence
A+ Excellent 4.0 90-100
A Almost Excellent 3.75 85-89
A- Fairly Excellent 3.5 80-84
B+ Very Good 3.25 75-79
B Good 3.0 70-74
B- Fairly Good 2.75 65-69
C+ Fair 2.5 60-64
C Satisfactory 2.25 55-59
C- Minimum Satisfactory 2.0 50-54
D+ Fairly Poor 1.5 40-49
D Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit