The question of what religion is followed in a particular country periodically arises in connection with the development of tourism. After all, few people want to go on a trip without imagining what kind of religion dominates in the place of their future vacation. Sri Lanka, for example, what will it require from a tourist? Can I bring short shorts, bikinis and tight tank tops to this country, or is it better to limit myself to capri pants, thin shirts, sundresses and a classic one-piece swimsuit?
What country is this? Where is she?
The geographical position largely determines not only the features of the historical development of the state, but also what kind of religion has taken root in it. Sri Lanka is a small island located off the southeast coast of Hindustan. The state, which is located on it, is officially referred to as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. However, few people use itname. Even the natives of the island simply call their country Sri Lanka.
However, this name is new. Until 1972, the country was called differently - Ceylon, and the name Sri Lanka belonged only to the island. This word comes from Sanskrit and in translation means “blessed, glorious land.”
But Ceylon and Sri Lanka are not the only historical names. Arabs, Hindus, ancient Greeks called this land in their own way. The name Ceylon appeared after the island was conquered by the Portuguese in 1505. The British, who later conquered this country and made it their colony, left the name.
How many capitals are there in Sri Lanka?
This question is of interest to everyone who comes to the island, no less than what religion is in Sri Lanka. The older generation confidently declares that Colombo is the main city of the island. And it is there that you should look for museums, entertainment and shops. But the cards show a completely different name.
The situation with the capitals in this island state is similar to the Russian one. In other words, there is one official and two actual. In Russia, these are Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in Sri Lanka, Kotte and Colombo.
Kotte has been the official capital of the state since 1982. The full name of this city sounds very pompous - Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. However, even the locals simply call it Kotte.
Colombo is an old colonial capital. Despite the loss of official status, in fact, this city is the most important in the country. Here are the residence of the President and the Government House. Andof course, it is in this city that everything that may be of interest to tourists is concentrated.
What is the religion on the island?
Subequatorial climate, abundance of beaches, mountains and an unusually rich world of fauna and flora - all this means wonderful outdoor activities and relaxation by the sea waters. However, what should it look like? For example, you should not take a bikini to Arab countries, this is fraught with the possibility of unpleasant moments.
The culture of the islanders has evolved over the centuries under the influence of both Europe and Asia, India and the Middle East. Therefore, there are no strict religious rules here and it is unlikely that even the most ill-conceived tourist wardrobe will offend anyone.
On the island, the four dominant religions, which have absolutely equal rights, are:
- Buddhism;
- Hinduism;
- Islam;
- Christianity.
Of course, few people planning a beach relaxation or an active holiday on a tropical island want to be where Islamic culture dominates. Many tourists are convinced that this religion imposes certain restrictions on the appearance, behavior and manner of entertainment. Without a doubt, this is the case, and walking in mini-shorts and a bikini bra in the capital of the United Arab Emirates is unlikely to be appropriate. However, Islam is not the most widespread religion on the island. Sri Lanka is a place whose population has been composed of visitors for centuries. Islam appeared here together with the Sri Lankan Moors and Arabs. And today this religion is mainly adhered to by their descendants. In other words, Islamic culture is notdominant, it is only part of the general, completely unique traditions of the island, consisting of customs inherent in all four religions.
How are religions distributed on the island?
The population of the cities of Sri Lanka and their religion, of course, are the subject of statistical accounting. The last complete census was conducted in the country in 2001. However, given that the rhythm of life on the island is very slow, sluggish, and any changes or social upheavals were last observed here many centuries ago, during the war between the British and the Dutch, the statistics are unlikely to have lost their relevance.
The percentage of religions in the country is as follows:
- 76, 7% Buddhist (Theravada);
- 8, 5% Muslim;
- 7, 8% Hindu;
- 6, 1% - Christians (Catholics).
The rest of the population are followers of other faiths and atheists.
What is the Temple of the Four Religions?
Each of the tourists will be curious to look at the Temple of the Four Religions. Sri Lanka is a country in which all religions coexist peacefully and seem to form one whole, if we consider them not from the point of view of the sequence of rituals, but as manifestations of culture. It is logical that the country has a landmark that emphasizes the peaceful coexistence of faiths.
Temple of 4 religions Sri Lanka acquired relatively recently. The complex opened in 2006. ThisLandmark on Mount Ambuluwawa. This is a very curious, albeit hard-to-reach place.
What is interesting about the Temple of Four Religions?
The name, no doubt, is associated with the religions that most of the population of Sri Lanka adhere to. However, the complex is not a religious monument at all. Sri Lanka is rich not only in religious values and historical sights. Religion, whatever it may be, is only part of what the local people live and what the country has to offer tourists.
The temple complex is located in the heart of the natural biosphere reserve. On its territory are:
- temple dedicated to the four major religions;
- research center;
- International Conference Hall;
- the sacred Bodhi tree;
- rock garden;
- water park with three unique ponds;
- An oasis of medicinal plants.
Of course, the temple building is central to the architectural ensemble of the complex. It is crowned by a very unusual outwardly, spiral-like tower, whose height is 48 meters. An observation deck is open at the top. But, of course, not everyone decides to climb it.
Why are there four religions on the island?
Not so long ago, an independent state of Sri Lanka appeared on the world map. Religion, each of the main four, was "brought" here by traders, travelers, settlers and, of course, invaders in ancient times. What's curiouseach of the religions, penetrating the island, did not cause rejection from the already existing religions.
But who originally inhabited the island of Sri Lanka? What faith is native, native to the inhabitants of this country? Historians have no answer to this question. It is generally accepted that Hinduism was the first to appear here, and before that pagan beliefs dominated.
Buddhism was the second to penetrate Sri Lanka and immediately gained great popularity, becoming the "state religion". This happened in 246 BC thanks to the successful mission of Mahinda, one of the sons of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
Islam penetrated these lands in the 15th century. This happened due to the fact that many of the Arab and Mauritanian traders, who at that time practically monopolized trade routes in the Indian Ocean, remained to live on the island.
Christians claim that the first missionary on the island was the Apostle Thomas himself, who arrived here in the 1st century. It is possible that this is so, but Catholic priests appeared here at the same time as the Portuguese military in the 16th century. In the 17th century, the island was conquered by the Dutch, and the position of Catholicism was further strengthened. Missionaries of other Christian denominations appeared in these lands only after the success of the British military campaign in the 19th century.
About Hinduism
Hinduism is the first local religion. Sri Lanka, or rather, its inhabitants, adhered to this religion at the time the Buddhist mission appeared in the country. The position of this religion was seriously shaken in the III-IV centuries. However, religiondid not disappear because it was supported by representatives of the dynasties ruling in South India and Orissa.
Over time, a balance has been established between the two beliefs. Hinduism not only survived the expansion of Buddhism, but remained the dominant religion in the northern and eastern parts of the island. The position of this religion was greatly shaken by Christianity, that is, the Catholic faith. Sri Lanka is a small island, every religion penetrating here needed followers. Of course, some of them are local residents converted to the new faith.
Today Hinduism is practiced by 7.8% of the population. Hindu ancient temples can be seen in the northern and eastern provinces, and the most frequently visited by tourists is located in the center of Colombo, in the old capital of the country.
About Buddhism
Buddhist religion adhere to 76, 7% of the inhabitants of the island. This religion can be called the dominant one in the state.
Buddhism owes its appearance on the island to Mahinda, a famous poet and translator of antiquity, as well as a monk and son of the Mauryan ruler. This man arrived in Sri Lanka in 246 BC. The island was then ruled by Devanampius Tissa. It was this king who became the first Buddhist convert. Mahinda's sister, Sanghamitra, brought the first local shrine to the island. It was a cutting of the sacred Bodhi tree. And she also became the founder of the first Buddhist monastery, of course, a female one. In the 4th century, another shrine appeared in Sri Lanka - the tooth of the Buddha himself. This relic is kept in the sacred Temple of the Tooth inKandy.
Of course, both Hinduism and Christianity had a negative impact on the spread and rooting of Buddhism. However, this religion was preferred by the majority of the inhabitants of the island.
About Islam
Islam is the only religion that has hardly affected the positions of both Hinduism and Buddhism. This religion appeared on the island along with merchants who decided to settle in Sri Lanka.
It so happened that the trade routes in the Indian Ocean, including those used by the merchants of Sri Lanka, were controlled by Arab sailors by the 15th century. Many of the merchants of Arabia, having visited the island, did not want to return to their native sands and made every effort to transport their relatives to the "tropical paradise". Of course, they transported not only family members, but also their own cultural and religious traditions. However, Muslims did not impose their faith on local residents.
With the advent of the Portuguese invaders, Muslims had to face persecution and persecution. The historical confrontation between Islamic and Christian cultures, which was especially clearly felt in Portugal, had an effect. The result of this was the resettlement of the overwhelming number of Muslims to the east of Sri Lanka and to the central regions of the island, where there were practically no Portuguese Christians.
Today, Islam is a full island religion. Sri Lanka even has its own Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. The oldest and most beautiful mosques can be seen in Galle.
About Christianity
Missionaries from Portugal set foot on the lands of the island in the 15th century, along with the military. However, local Catholics claim that the first Christian to visit the island was the Apostle Thomas. And, accordingly, from the 1st century, small Christian communities existed here. Historians can neither confirm nor deny this legend.
It is likely that such a version of the rooting of Christianity in Sri Lanka arose because of the neighborhood with Muslims, that is, in order to indicate the primacy. But maybe Foma actually visited here.
But before the appearance of the Portuguese, the locals had not heard of Christians. Of course, there are no buildings that arose before the 15th century. The Portuguese were not very successful in converting the locals to Christianity, as they were concentrated on confronting the Muslims. This religion spread throughout Sri Lanka later, during the rule of the Dutch.
By 1722, quite a lot of people already adhered to the Catholic faith - 21% of the total population. However, Christianity never became not only the dominant, but simply a popular religion. This is probably due to the change of colonial administration. As soon as the British took possession of the island, Protestant and Anglican missionaries set foot on its lands. Their activities caused significant confusion and did not contribute to the popularization of Christianity.
But the position of this religion was especially shaken afterliberation of the country from colonial rule. Moreover, the number of Catholics has not decreased, but the Protestants have almost disappeared. At the moment, 88% of Christians on the island are Catholics. The most beautiful and famous Catholic church is the Church of St. Sebastian, located in Negombo.
