A Historical Analysis Of Sino-Sri Lankan Cultural Relations

China and Sri Lanka established significant bilateral relationships since ancient times. These were in terms of political, economic and cultural aspects of exchanges. Buddhism played a prominent and decisive role in establishing cultural relationships between the two countries. The main Cultural exchanges between two countries include friendly exchange of monks and nuns, Buddhist art, books and the sacred Tooth Relic. Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, located in South of India in the Asian subcontinent. Although China and Sri Lanka are separated by a vast land mass and an ocean, the two nations' friendly relationship continues from ancient times. Ancient Chinese texts in the fragmentary records reveal that Sri Lanka is known in more than 30 different names in Chinese history.History records indicate that Chinese people lived in the 'Han'period, had knowledge about the island nation. Evidence suggests that exploratory diplomatic envoys were exchanged between the two countries during this period. Chinese Buddhism acquires rapid development and spread in the beginning of'Wei'period. During this period, envoys frequently visited the two countries and established cultural ties. This marked the actual initiation of Chinese-Sri Lankan cultural relationships and it mainly occurred due to exchange of Buddhist culture. China acquired political, economic and cultural prosperity during'Tang' emperor. China-Sri Lanka relationship tends to strengthen in the period of 7th-8th century A.D. Ancient history records indicates that the King of Sri Lanka has sent ambassadors to the 'Tang' Dynasty in six occasions. China and Sri Lanka also developed trade relationships during this period. China's international trade relationships tended to grow during the'Yuan'empire period.'Yuan'merchants' overseas trade was very active in this period while China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relationships further expanded to include foreign trade. During the'Ming' Dynasty, Zheng He's seven voyages further promoted the Sino-Sri Lankan cultural exchange.Spread of Buddhist culture in China was further the enriched by arrival of monks, Fa-Xian, Gunavarman, Sanghavarman, Xuan-Zang and Amoghavjra during Wei-jin Southern and Northern Dynasties and Tang dynasty. Sri Lanka's nuns also played a main role in spreading of the Buddhist culture in China. Meanwhile, offshore trade acted as an important carrier of Buddhism. Buddhist envoys were often accompanied by Traders. Official envoy visits are key factor in the friendly cultural exchange.Buddhist scriptures, art, and books were used as a communicative medium in this relationship. The sacred Tooth Relic, which has a special cultural and social value to Sri Lankans as well as Buddhists across the globe, helped to promote Buddhist cultural exchanges. The Tooth relic became the epitome of friendly exchanges between the two countries. Chinese monks went to worship the Buddha's tooth in Sri Lanka, visited the Buddhist ceremony associated with the Temple of the Tooth, and as a result, this became a prime event on which the cultural relationships strengthened further.Since the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, the religion was strongly advocated by the King, thus developed very rapidly and soon became the state religion of Sri Lanka. Later, with the gradual decline of Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka became the center of Theravada Buddhism. Meanwhile, a number of ancient Chinese emperors were also in favor of the introduction of Buddhism to the country. Therefore, they naturally became Buddhists, and was influenced by this most important cultural exchange from Sri Lanka.These mutual cultural exchanges, friendly relations and deep friendship cultivated a healthy rapport between the two nations. On one hand, Sri Lankans came to China to study; on the other hand, the friendly exchanges of ancient China is also opening up overseas, drawing on Sri Lanka's outstanding economic, cultural achievements, and promote their own development. This cultural exchange is a two-way scenario, in which the two countries learn and benefit from each other in the culture, work progress and development.