Pre-buddhist Sri Lanka

There is no formal religion in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Mahinda Thera. The people used
to worship:
- bull
- peta or departed beings
- yakkhas
- trees e.g. palm tree, banyan tree
Pre-uddhist Sri Lanka means the situation of Sri Lanka before the advent of Mahinda thera.
efore the advent of Mahinda thera, Sri Lanka did not have any a!!eptable religion. The
religion ba!kground of Sri Lanka at that time was very undeveloped. "ue to the pro#imity of
$ndia, there had been influen!e from this neighbouring !ountry. The people followed various
primitive religious beliefs. %t that time, there were rahmins and &ains in Sri Lanka,
therefore some people followed rahmanism and &ainism.
%part from that people were worshipping trees. They believed that the trees are prote!ted by
Tree 'ods, therefore people of pre-uddhist Sri Lanka respe!ted trees, worship them and
even made vows. The trees that attra!ted pre-uddhist people were generally known as the
anyan tree and palm tree. %part from tree worship, people of pre-uddhist Sri Lanka
thought that they have separated devas to help them in their o!!upation. Those people believe
that there had been kammara-deva who was in !harge of those who are engaged in various
!rafts. (hen they go to do their normal )obs, they thought they are held by these devas. The
hunters thought that they are helped by *yadha-deva. $n this manner people, a!!ording to
their profession, !onsidered that they are gods who help them in various fields.