Introduction to Practical Buddhism

              Practical Buddhism is known by various names as an ex. Sinhala Buddhism, Popular Buddhism. It means the arrival of a foreign religion to a particular culture, its interconnection with the prevailing culture, and its existence. The new religious system that resulted from the Jambudweepa's arrival to the diverse Sri Lankan culture, blended with the civilization of Lakdiva and survived is the meaning of the term of Practical Buddhism in Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles of ancient Ceylon, the various religions of the people of Sri Lanka fell into Buddhism and Buddhism became the dominant religion in general. In this case, elements of the prevailing cultures of also leaked to Buddhism.

People's minds are diverse. A timeless, habitually trained mental existence cannot be abandoned at once. Such an endeavor will result in the rejection of immigration. The substitute for this is a good answer. This is what happened to Buddhism in Hela deep or Sri Lanka. Since the Buddha's arrival in Sri Lanka, there has been a knowledge of Buddhism and the existence of Buddhism to some extent. Hence, Buddhism spread rapidly after the arrival of the Arahath Mahinda with the four clans of Yaksha, Naga, Raksha and Deva. The rituals in Hela (Sri Lanka) were also leaked to Buddhism. By this time the Mauryan culture had joined the Buddhism. Ceylon culture was also added to this in Sri Lanka.

Primitive cultures such as tree worship and rock worship were already available all over the country. Religions such as the worship of the deads and the worship of Gods were also directly related to the tribe. It is quite difficult to directly reject such creeds. It is better to substitute for it. Tree worship was replaced by the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. The Pilgrimage to the Dead and Rock were replaced by Dagoba worship. Instead of worshiping God, worshiping the Buddha, and offering merits to the Gods were all part of it. Through that, it does not directly reject the prevailing culture. Buddhism and its teachings were not affected in bad because of that. Buddhism mixed with the culture and spread among the people. This is practical Buddhism.

Adherence to the prevailing cultural elements and joining in all the activities of daily life is Practical Buddhism. The uniqueness of this, is, that it does not damage the context of Buddhism. It is close to the culture that existed only to get closer to people's lives. Birth, first meal, ear piercing, reading books at first time, birthdays, special happy or sad events, puberty, marriage, death are major events throughout life. These events are the mixing of Buddhism with the prevailing customs, and taking precedence is the practical Buddhism.

Buddhism was using for Government Consultation. King Ashoka was also influenced by it. Due to religious, political and cultural integration, Buddhism was integrated into all aspects of social life, economics and art, etc.

So as not to damage the content of Buddhism, In conjunction with the cultural events of Lanka, All the opportunities of life creation, development and survival in accordance with Buddhism, can be described as practical Buddhism.