The group of Thai monks engaged in the foot pilgrimage was led by Ajahn Dhammavijayo Thera

Apart from India, Sri Lanka has maintained Buddhist relations for the longest period of time with Thailand

Even today, the Upasampada established in Sukhothai is known as ‘Lanka Wong’

A delegation of 100 Thai monks, who are on a foot pilgrimage through Buddhist countries around the world, wishing for world peace, recently arrived in Sri Lanka. It is noteworthy that they travelled around Sri Lanka on foot for 20 days; having only one meal a day.

Dr. Avissawelle Dhammananda Thera, President of the Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Foundation, was instrumental in organising the pilgrimage by these monks to Sri Lanka. They are on a foot pilgrimage promoting peace. The activities of these monks on pilgrimage started on April 21 and concluded on May 12.

During this trip, the Thai monks chanted Pirith and performed ‘Adhisthana Pooja’ for world peace at places such as Kelaniya, Dambulla, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Maha Saya, Polonnaruwa Watadageya, and Somawathiya Chaitya.

The group of Thai monks engaged in the foot pilgrimage was led by Ajahn Dhammavijayo Thera, Chief Incumbent of Wat Khoi Hampar Lompai temple in Phetchaburi, Thailand. He commented on the purpose of the foot pilgrimage and his visit to Sri Lanka:

“Today, the world is ablaze with the fires of war. Humanity is entangled in armed conflicts so devastating that they threaten to wipe out human society from the earth. Every day, thousands of lives are lost. This bloodshed is being carried out by destroying the ecological balance. As Buddhist monks, we should intervene in this. Buddha came to this country to prevent the wars that started in Sri Lanka. We find a number of such precedents in the religious mission of Lord Buddha. That is why we thought of traveling around the world seeking world peace with the power of that truth.

“We are currently visiting India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. We conduct Adishthana Pujas in the most sacred places in each of these countries. Our prayer is that the hearts of those engaged in conflict will be moved by the Buddha’s power for peace during our global pilgrimage on foot,” said Ajahn Dhammavijayo Thera.

Sri Lanka and India seem to share a particularly close relationship. Arahant Mahinda lived in the Sanchi Temple in India before arriving at Mihintale in Sri Lanka. Consequently, in Mihintala, you can see a replica of the Sanchi Stupa of India. Both the Sanchi Temple in India and the Mihintala Temple in Sri Lanka warrant special attention. Arahant Mahinda’s arrival in Sri Lanka significantly contributed to the spread of Buddhism, transforming the country into a Buddhist state. Apart from India, Sri Lanka has maintained Buddhist relations for the longest period of time with Thailand. In the Kandyan period, the Upasampada was introduced from Siam to establish the Sasana in Sri Lanka. Similarly, during the Polonnaruwa period, there existed religious affiliations with the city of Sukhothai in Thailand. Thailand’s history also recalls that during the Polonnaruwa period, the Upasampada from Sri Lanka was brought to Sukhothai in Thailand to re-establish the Sasana. Even today, the Upasampada established in Sukhothai is known as ‘Lanka Wong’. Another reason why the Buddhist people of Thailand hold gratitude towards Sri Lanka is the sacred Piruwana book, which we faithfully refer to. It was from Sri Lanka that Thailand received the Pirith sermons connected to that. Consequently, the deep-rooted relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka began on account of their shared Buddhist civilization, rather than through other diplomatic means.

Ruwanweli Saya is the premier destination that has captivated the attention of all the monks participating in this foot pilgrimage, and there are numerous reasons for this. Situated amidst several other esteemed stupas, Ruwanweli Saya stands as a magnificent creation that evokes faith merely by its sight. It is aptly referred to as Maha Saya in Sri Lanka. Additionally, its proximity to the Sri Maha Bodhi significantly enhances its value. During the days these visitors spent at Ruwanweli Saya, they were amazed by the sight of devout Sri Lankan Buddhists offering their prayers and offerings. Witnessing this, the group of Thai monks were filled with joy in reverence to the Buddha. It is truly a profound sight to see Sri Lankans clad in white attire, bearing flowers, paying homage at Ruwanweli Saya and other sacred places across the country. These Thai monks aspire to bolster the faith of Buddhist communities residing in other countries by documenting and sharing these scenes through film and photography with people in Thailand and worldwide.

During our pilgrimage, these monks were treated well by the people of Sri Lanka and they offered us alms. In Thailand too monks receive such treatments. However, what truly stands out is the exceptional support these visitors received from the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka during this pilgrimage as foreign monks. On certain days of their journey, they observed a remarkable eagerness among locals to offer them alms. Such level of care and attention is unparalleled in any other country they had visited around the world, these monks maintained. 

Dr. Avissawelle Dhammananda Thera led the organization of this country’s foot pilgrimage for world peace; which involved a hundred monks. The Thera said that he also coordinates programmes on mindfulness by facilitating temporary monasticism in Thailand for Buddhism teachers in government schools, as well as Dhamma school teachers.

Dhammananda Thera said, “Initially, I had significant concerns regarding potential inadequacies in preparing for this foot pilgrimage, including gathering alms for a hundred monks. However, over the past 20 days, various philanthropists and organizations willingly stepped forward to fulfill these requirements. This is the most remarkable characteristic of the people of Sri Lanka. Despite any challenges they may face, they prioritize fulfilling the needs of the monks”.

In fact, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry generates significant income from its historical and archaeological Buddhist ruins and temples. However, it would be beneficial to enhance the facilities at these sites for foreign visitors, as some lack adequate sanitation facilities.

“The tourism sector has emerged as Sri Lanka’s primary source of revenue today, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists for various purposes. Additionally, there is a vast global audience that can be engaged in Buddhist pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. With government support, we have the potential to bring thousands of such pilgrims to the country,” the priest said.