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by Lakshman Jayawardene, Ottawa, Canada.

Today, Buddhism is known well all the world over, and there is hardly a scholar who does not know of Sri Lanka and its Buddhism. The attraction to study it, follow it and even embrace it is growing daily. Scholars who were, as laymen, leading lights in their own countries have taken to the robe and bowl here. In turn, scholar-monks, particularly, assisted by devout laymen like Anagarika Dharmapala, have become eminent Buddhist missionaries and helped to establish buddhist temples and libraries in all significant cities of the World. And, the movement is gathering speed and strength, spreading surprisingly even in new-awakening Africa and Latin America.

Buddhist Dharmaduta (missionary) activity has been recorded from the earliest of times beginning with the nine missions despatched from Dambadiva by King Asoka. After Arhant Mahinda made the Buddha Dispensation firm in this island, missions went out from here and there are very early records of missions to China in Chinese history and our own archaeological evidence. The famous Chinese pilgrim, so well-known now, copied the sacred texts to be taken to his country. At the same time, a monk named Sangha-varman has gone from here to China to translate the Vinaya Texts. Concurrently, with this monk's assistance, a Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni is reported to have gone to China to organise the Bhikkhuni order there. That was in 429 A.C. Four years later, a further batch of Bhikkhunis led by one 'Kesara' and 'Devasara' had gone to China.

The latest catalyst for the spread of Buddhism at international level is Internet by means of which information is at one's finger-tips. Institutions in Sri Lanka have not been slow to seize this opportunity of taking Buddhism to any corner of the earth. Notable among them is the International Buddhist Centre at Nedimale, Dehiwala, directed by Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi from where in the traditional manner books may be obtained, while also the modern web-site facility is available. So in effect, there is a complete Dharmaduta service being operated from this Centre.

This was the first Buddhist web-site launched in this country, and I gladly recall my own participation in this event. And glad further was it to note that many other web-sites followed in quick succession. More questions will be asked, more explanations sought for, more thirst for knowledge evinced; hence, Buddhist scholars should be ready to make use of this modern technology on a wider scale.

The biggest asset of this land is Buddhism. No one fails to appreciate the majesty, charm and simplicity of our temples. No one is satisfied unless he has worshipped at the Temple of the Tooth. No one easily turns his eyes away from the work of the Buddhist artists in stone, timber and oils. What is morally good today is being imparted by Buddhism. Buddhism is Sri Lanka's greatest contribution to the world community.

(The writer is Counsellor (Information) in the High Commission of Sri Lanka, Ottawa, Canada)

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