[MY ENDEAVOUR.]
[.r4en with some amount of experience may realise that the task of writing history is a very arduous undertaking which requires careful scrutiny and sober judgment. To write in, Pali verse is still more difficult. Some historians have represented various facts in an exaggerated form. Others have so confused the actual facts in their writings that it is difficult for any one to understand them clearly. Certain works that pass under the name of history stand as a living evidence to this charge. Authors with various religious ideas and political opinions have]
[xxxi]
[written works on history. Many of them do not realise that when competent students with
moderate views examine their works critically the value of their writings might appear to be
almost negligible. 13ut the author of the Dipavamsa has regarded this point as the most
essential quality. Historical works were caused to be recited in public on festival occasions
in the same manner as the Dhamma itself by great monarchs.whose names were mentioned
with deep respect even by the great commentator Buddhaghoi;ha.]
[I strongly felt that the vast gap left by the non-completion of the narrative of the
Dipavamsa, the oldest historical composition of the Sinhalese was a great reflection on the
modern Oriental Scholars of Ceylon, and in response to the earnest appeal of several leading
men both among the clergy tnd the laity, I embarked upon’the stupendous task of
continuing the narrative up to the present day. 1 tried my best to avoid unnecessary detail
as well as inordinate brevity in this composition and aimed at producing this work to suit
the modern requirements. The result of my undertaking is the Second Part of the Dipavamsa
embracing the historical narrative from the reign of Kirti Sri Meghavarna up to the present
day.]
[This work runs to thirty six chapters and contains 2776 stanzas in all. Couched in %,
variety of metres, I hope, it would tend to satisfy the literary tastes of the scholars who
value rhythmic cadence and metrical melody. The concluding stanzas of each chapter are
written in a different metre in conformity with the traditional characteristics expected of a
great poem. Following the usage of the Dipavamsa the conclusion of each chapter is given
its individual designation.]
[1 do not for a moment think that this work is perfect in every, respect. Yet 1 have
endeavoured to represent the subject matter to the best of my ability. As this work is
necessarily a Pali composition I have all throughout employed the Buddhist Era. As I met
with several instances where the number of regnal years and the date of a,3cession of certain
monarchs differed according to each author, I took pains to compare the available sources
and give the version that 1 considered most approximately]
[correct. Where conflicting theories were recorded by different authorities it was difficult for
me to distinguish the correct view, and in such instances I resorted to the aid of ancient
inscriptions and thus gave my osvn conclusions based on established facts.]
[The imperfections in the records of early historians and the unscholarly nature of the works
of incompetent writers have resulted in the disappearance of valuable historical data tothe
greatest disappointment of the research student. The visit of Fa Hian is such an incident for
example. The length of the reign of certain kings is not definitely stated. While obvious
discrepancies as these are met with in the estimable works of far-sighted historians of old,
we need not mention that there may inevitably be glaring shortcomings in the works of such
humble beings as ourselves.]
[The antials of the line of kings treated in this Second Part of the Dipavamsa comprise of the
life of glorious monarchs who invaded and conquered foreign lands; of powerful potentates
who forced alien kings to submit and come to peaceful terms of humanitarian rulers like
king Buddhadasa ; of scholars and poet-kings like Kumaradasa,; of mighty monarchs who
built the vast and expansive tanks for the well-being of the people-, of righteous sovereigns
who exerted incessantly for the glory of Buddhism ; of great warriors like Wijaya Bahu 1
who repelled the foreign invaders and directed his energy for the advancement of
knowledge; of sacrilegious vandals like Dathopatissa who consigned valuable literary w ‘
orks to the devouring flames; of tyrants and apostates who dispossessed the temples of their
valuable treasures and tracts of land and gifted them to their favourites and foreigners; as
well as of noble kings who Oere instrumental in the revival of Buddhism by getting down
qualified Bhikkhus from foreign lands to perform the ecclesiastical duties. This work also deals with the ruthless devastations’ wrought by the Cholian hordes who descended on this country from time to time. We have also recorded herein the famous names of the great scholars who adorned this island during the various periods of vigorous literary activity.
The authors of the leading sects in Geylon are also mentioned here with due consideration and attention. The leaders of the subordinate divisions of each sect are not specially referred to mainly for the sake of brevity-]
[xxxiii]
[The people of this island lost their age-long independence and freedom not only as a result of the advent of the European nations led by the Portuguese whose aim was to establish their power in this country through their religion ; but also as a result of the nonappearance of a powerful Sinhalese monarch after the sixteenth century when the throne of this
kingdom passed into the hands of a ruler of foreign origin. Some of those monarchs
continually waged a severe war against the foreigners. Some rulers observed a scrupulous
peace and others eagerly sought the aid of the foreigners themselves. While the native rulers
were acting in this fashion the consistent policy of the Portuguese was to conquer this land
both by force and by treachery and to propagate their religion throughout the island, at the
same time effecting nothing whatever that was conducive to the general welfare of the
natives under their rule.]
[The Hollanders who followed them while doing whatever they. can for the well-being of
the people as well as t,) their detriment devoted their energies entirely for the advancement
of their trade. The Englishmen who finally arrived, engaged in various activities that tended
to the general welfare of the Ceylonese than any of the two previous nations. Since they
came into possession of the rule of the entire island the people of this country are enjoying
the benefits of their liberal institutions and are well in the path of progress.]
[The Sinhalese royal line that continued to exist unbroken for a space of 23 centuries came
to an unfortunate end through the personal @imbition ,ind mutual jealousy of scheming
Sinbalese leaders.]
[I have to acknowledge here that in the compilation of this treatise various EDgliSli works
on Ceylon history, several modern historical books,, the Nikaya Sangraba and the numerous
stone inscriptions were of immense aid to me. For the benefit of those who are not familiar
with the Pali language and for the use of the future students, 1 have appended hereto a
complete Sirihalese paraphrase of the Pali text. By this composition that brings the historical
narrative of CeylOD UP to the present day, 1 hope the contemporary historians are relieved
of the grave censure that a competent Ceylonese scholar did not come forward to bring into
consummation the oldest historical work existing in this Island.]
[xxxiv]
[I wish to record with greatest satisfaction that eminent Oriental scholars like the Principal of the Vidyodaya Pirivena and the Principal of the Vidyalaiikara Pirivena have gone through this work with pleasure and expressed their sincere appreciation. The Venerable T. Sri Amarawansa Maha Thera, incumbent of the Gotami Vihara, with his unrivalled scholarship, has been of immense help to me in the final revision of this composition. Dr. G. P. Malalasekara, M.A., Ph.D., D. Litl., Senior Lecturer in Oriental Languages in the University College, Colombo, most readily consented to write the Foreward to this historical compo6ition. Mr. John S. de Zoysa, Assistant Editor of the Sinhalese Dictionary, willingly undertook, in spite of his duties, to render into English the exhaustive introduction of mine, at my own request. Dr. A. P. de Zoysa, B.A., Ph.D., M.S.c., Barrister-at-law, kindly extended his ungrudgiiig help by carefully going through the English introduction. I have to mention with gratitude that Rev. M. Sugatananda Sthavira, Assistant Teacher of the Sugata Sasanodaya Pirivena, has always rendered his valuable assistance in the compilation 6f this work. I am deeply obliged to the several students of Ceylon history among the clergy as well as the laity, who kindly furnished me with various historical facts in response to my request. A small number of munificent and public-spirited gentlemen came to my aid for the early puLIication of this work, by expressing their willingness to defray the necessary expenses. I owe my obligation to Mr. Meelis de Silva, proprietor, and also the employees, of the Vidyavilasa. Press, Alutgama, for carrying out the printing of this work as expediously as possible. In conclusion I wish to offer my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those persons enumerated above who rendered directly or indirectly their valuable assistance and encouragement to me. May it be noted that all rights concerning this work are strictly reserved by the authors]
[Pandita Ahungalle Wimalakitti Thero.]
[2482]
[1938]
[Sugata Sasanodaya Pirivena,]
[Ambarukkharama Maha Vihara,]
[Welitota, Balapitiya.]
[Names of Those who Generously Helped]
[in the Publication of this Work.]
[Dr. L. A, RAJAPAKSE, B.A., L.L.D.,]
["Galiiiangoda Walawwa", Welitara.]
[11. LUCAS de S. KULATILE@ KA, Esq., A.M.I.C.E., Civil Engineer,]
["Wimalalaya," Ahungalla.]
[Dr, N. NVIJEYESEI@-riRA, L.R.C.P. & S. (EDIN.),]
[L.R.F.P. & S. (GLAS.), D.P.H., (UNIV. EDIN.), L.M., (DUB.),]
[Ahungalla,.]
[11. MARTF@ELIS de SILVA, Esq.,]
[Vidana Aratchy, Met,,t,,ama, Kotmale.]
[tl]
[DON GILBERT de ZOYSA GUNASEKARA, Esq,,]
[School Alaster, "Soma Giri," God,,igedara,]
[J. de S. RUPASINGHA, Esq.,]
[General Merchant, Beratuduwa.]
[D. S. ABEYASUNDARA, Esq., "Galwehera Walawwi,"]
[Galwehera.]
[H. A. (le SILVA, Esq., Apothecary, Wellaboda.)
[DANIEL de SILVA, WISAYAKULATILAKA]
[ED1RISINGHA, Esq., Wellaboda.]
[S. W. SILVA, Esq., Moratuwa.]
[Y. CAROLIS de SILVA, Esq., R,.itgama.]
[H. BASTIAN de SILVA, Esq, Maduwa.]
[H. ERINERIS de SILVA, Esq., Abungal.1a,]
[W. BARLIS ME@NL]IS, Esq., Pitegama.]
[H. A. Kulatile’ka,]
[H07ly. Secretaly.]
[Sugatasasanoda@a Pirivena,]
[Aiiibarukkliaramaya," Welitota, Balapitiya.]
[Welitota] |
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