Book Reviewâ€ÂÂÂ- The American who Revived Buddhism in Asia & The Intertwined Histories of Buddhism and Sri Lanka.
Posted on October 18th, 2011
Ranjit Santiago
Sunil Wimalawansa wrote the book, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The American who Revived Buddhism in AsiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. The author is the Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Prof. Wimalawansa illustrates how Colonel Olcott became a hero without the traditional springboard of influence and power. The author gives the reader a groundbreaking inside account of OlcottƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s life, which begins in America. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sunil Wimalawansa details how Olcott contributed to the rule of law during turbulent times in his native country of birth and illustrates his incredible inner strength and courage.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Dr. Wimalawansa also provides a vivid account of OlcottƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s leadership in Sri Lanka and India. Olcott revived a nation of Buddhists from the yoke of the suppressive British ruling.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In addition, this book provides a historical account of other key leaders who helped to positively shape the future of Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
The American who Revived Buddhism is Asia is a readable, high quality book that contains a large number of rare color photographs and insights into the multiple contributions of OlcottƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Buddhist educational system.
Sunil Wimalawansa also recently published another easy to read, complementary book entitled, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Intertwined Histories of Buddhism and Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This book provides an extensive detailed account of the past 2000-year history of Sri Lanka, focusing on how Buddhism shaped the country to its current form.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Both books provide vibrant information on the history of Buddhism, and the lessons learned from the 500 years of brutal ruling of Ceylon by the Western invaders.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
I highly recommend that those interested in the history of Sri Lanka and Buddhism read these books. As they are not yet available in store, contact Professor Sunil Wimalawansa, via suniljw@hotmail.com, to purchase copies of these two highly valuable books.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
October 20th, 2011 at 3:34 am
I highly recommend Mr. Gon Silva of UK contact Prof. Wimalawansa and discuss history of Sir lanka and how Nibbana did not in anyway affected the survival of Sinhala Buddhist.