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The article aims to reconstruct the historical perception of the Buddha's origins in Sri Lanka and its subsequent scholarly reclassification.

July 10, 2026HistoriesOpen Access

The Making and Unmaking of a Sri Lankan Buddha

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This article explores the historical significance of Sri Lanka in Buddhist studies, suggesting shifting scholarly interpretations over time.

The article aims to reconstruct the historical perception of the Buddha's origins in Sri Lanka and its subsequent scholarly reclassification.
Analyzes colonial accounts and early translations regarding Buddhist origins.
Explores sacred relics and European interpretations of local chronicle traditions.
Examines the impact of figures like Brian Hodgson and George Turnour on changing scholarly perspectives.
Demonstrates that Sri Lanka was once seen as a credible origin for Buddhism in European scholarship.
Identifies an epistemic transformation through new historical standards of credibility in the nineteenth century.
Argues that this shift redefined Ceylonese traditions from foundational to local and symbolic narratives.

Bhadrajee Hewage (2026) studied this question.

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This article explores the historical significance of Sri Lanka in Buddhist studies, suggesting shifting scholarly interpretations over time.