Preface

‘ārogyaparamā lābhā, santuṭṭhi paramaṃ dhanaṃ,
vissāsā paramā ñāti, Nibbānaṃ paramaṃ sukhaṃ’.

(Health is the supreme gain, Content the supreme wealth, Faith is supreme kin, Nibbāna supreme good.)

In My thesis entitled “A Study on the Dīpavaṃsa” for Ph.D. Degree under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Aiswarya Biswas and joint supervision of Prof. Dr. Bela Bhattacharya, an attempt has been made to present a careful and extensive study of the Dīpavaṃsa in a spirit of scientific research.Though much work has already been done on this field, but my treatment is different from that of the previous researchers.With the advancement of time, we acquire new knowledge and experiences. New horizon opens before us when we investigate the old theory and investigation with the aid of new knowledge brightened by the touch of science and technology. New theories are then accepted replacing the old ones.

My study on the Dīpavamsa has fallen roughly into two halves. The first half involves pre Buddhist Sri-Lanka and the second half narrates the successive stages of development of Buddhism in Sri-Lanka.

I have discussed in five chapters the contribution of Dīpavaṃsa in revealing the history of Sri-Lanka.The first chapter deals with the pre-Buddhist period or pre-historic period in Sri Lankā.In the absence of inscriptions, archaeological finds and foreign accounts, the Dīpavaṃsa is the first account which throws light on the early history of Sri-Lanka.The second chapter depicts the background to the story, three Buddhist Councils of India where from Buddhism came. Third chapter relates how Buddhism was established in Ceylon. Chapter four discusses the beginning of the historic period. A systematic chronology of the kings of Ceylon along with, the ups and downs of Buddhism during the period under review has been discussed. Chapter five discusses the development of Buddhism, succession of leading Elders along with social, religious, and economic changes.I have tried to utilize all the available materials which can be taken from ancient and modern literature on the subject.

In this connection, I would like to express my immense gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Dr. Aiswarya Biswas, Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Calcutta (Kolkata), for her guidence and effective help to me at every stages of my work.

I am also heartily greatful to my joint supervisor, Prof. Dr. Bela Bhattacharya, of the Department of Pāli and the Department of Languages (Tibetan), University of Calcutta (Kolkata), who not only provided me with all facilities in various ways but also inspired me at every step, while writing this thesis.

I also express my indebtedness to Dr. Manikuntala Halder (De), Dr. Saswati Mutsuddy, Dr.Jayanti Chatterjee and other teachers of the Pāli department for their kind help and suggestions.

I also take the opportunity to express my deep gratitude to my Pali teacher late Dr. Asha Das, without her direct help I might not reach my present situation.

I would like to thank the Librarian and other members of the Central Library, University of Calcutta (Kolkata), who helped me in various ways to avail the books.

I feel sorry for my late loving father Dr. Gunadhar Barman and express my deep gratitude to my mother Srimati Sarojini Barman and my beloved brother Sri Subhankar Barman for their sacrifice and kind help to me through out my life.

I am also greatful to my daughter Sampurna Chakraborty and my husband Sri Rupankar Chakraborty for their direct help and encouragement towards my work.

SIBANI BARMAN

University of Calcutta (Kolkata).