Sri Lanka: Revival Of Buddhism And Theosophists

[camerata]

Revival of Buddhism and theosophists

Distressed at the plight of the Buddhists, Col. Olcott and H.P.B. arrived in Galle on May 17 1880 and were received by a large crowd led by the leading monks. They took Panchasila at Vijayananda Vihara at Galle.

After discussions with the Venerable monks and assessing the situation Col. Olcott devised a three-pronged strategy to arrest the prevailing decadence, namely, Buddhist education, well-planned propaganda and sound organization.

He was distressed at the practices enforced on faithful Buddhists, such as baptizing the child in Church (Anagarika Dharmapala was given the name Don David), Solemnizing the Buddhist Marriages by a Church Ceremony, Christian oath to be taken in the court, not to speak of cutting of Bo Trees, no holidays on Buddhist festivals like the Vesak Full Moon Day and so on and on.

There were only two Buddhist schools as against 805 run by Christian missionaries. So no wonder the educated citizens were turning against the noble Dhamma.

Full story.

[Xangsamhua]

Colonel Olcott is deservedly honoured for his part in Ceylon's Buddhist Revival.