The Buddhism of Ceylon, known as Theravada or Hinayana in contrast to the Mahayana of China, Japan, and other northern countries, was according to tradition first introduced to the island 2300 years ago by King Asoka of India. It was adopted by the Sinhalese-speaking inhabitants as their national and state religion. Despite periodic invasions, civil wars, conflict with heretical faiths, and a series of monastic scandals, the Sinhalese have managed to maintain a continuity of religious tradition until the present time. But now, perhaps for the first time in its long history, Sinhalese Buddhism appears to be facing a fundamental transformation or
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