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Message: <blockquote data-quote="netlife007" data-source="post: 16946250" data-attributes="member: 79514">[FONT=&quot]PROLIFERATION OF  PUBLICATIONS    [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The Christian  missionaries were propagating their religion through pamphlets and books. During  the latter half of the 19th century, the Christian establishment began a  widespread campaign primarily by means of publications strongly criticizing and  undermining Buddhism and Buddhist practices. Many books and pamphlets were  produced by them. They had enormous funds and no objections from the prevailing  British administration to pursue this campaign. They had the support of the news  media which they used profusely to undermine Buddhism. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The missionaries, who  arrived in the island at the beginning of 1812, also established printing  presses in the country. The Wesleyan Press printed and published the first Sri  Lanka journal ‘Masika Thagga’ in 1832 and ‘Shathra Nidanaya’ in 1846. The Ceylon  Observer established in 1834 was the first independent newspaper published in  Ceylon. The Lakmini Pahana newspaper was printed in 1862 at a press owned by  Hendrick Perera. The first unregistered Sinhala newspaper, Lanka Lokaya was  printed in  September 1860 at the Lanka Loka Press in Galle. The  first Sinhala Buddhist press was established in July 1862 and was known as the  Lankopakara Press. The establishment of this press was a result of the Buddhist  revival movement during the second half of the nineteenth century. Bulathgama  Dharmalankara Sri Sumanatissa Maha Thera, the pioneer of the establishment of  the Buddhist press, received necessary financial assistance to establish the  Press from the King of Siam (Thailand). [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]In 1849, Rev. D. J.  Gogerly of the Wesleyan mission published ‘Christian Pragnapthi’. e Mohottiwatte  Gunananda Thera and Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera responded to criticisms  leveled against Buddhism contained in Christian publications, through the  ‘Durlabdi Vinodimi’ and ‘Christian Vada Mardanaya’ and ‘Samyak Darshanaya’  during the period -1862-1863. Through journals like ‘Satya Margaya’, Satya  Prakashanaya’, ‘Lakmini Kirula’, Christiani Wada Vighataniya’, and ‘Reversa’ and  thousands of pamphlets, the Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera refuted the wrong views  that were held by Christians. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The Buddhists were  seriously handicapped owing to lack of access to printing facilities.  Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera rose up to the occasion and with the support of lay  devotees, soon made arrangements to purchase a printing press. This led to a  great proliferation of Buddhist publications. Many books, magazines, newspapers  and handouts were published as replies to the arguments and criticisms leveled  against Buddhism by the Christian establishment. They also highlighted the value  of the teachings of the Buddha in understanding realities regarding life and as  a path leading to the eradication of human suffering. The basic Christian  beliefs and concepts were subject to strong criticism and questioning.  [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Mohottiwatte  Gunananda Thera was well known for his writings and many publications. His  publication titled “Bauddha Prasna” or Buddhist Questions was exceedingly  popular and at one stage over 24,000 copies were distributed. These publications  were of great appeal to the Buddhist public and the demand for them increased  rapidly. Most of these publications were made available to the public at the  sermons held countrywide by  Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera.   Among his many publications which were in great demand among the  Buddhists were Lakmini Kirula, Sathya Maargaya (journal), Riviresa,   and Bauddha Edahella.  Among other popular publications  were: Sathya Prakashanaya (journal),  Kristhiyaani  Vigaathanaya,  Bauddha Prasna, ‘Durlabdi Vinodimi’, ‘Christian Vada  Mardanaya’, ‘Samyak Darshanaya’,  ‘Lakmini Kirula’, Christiani Wada  Vighataniya’, Lankakoka news paper, Sarasavi-Sandaresa, Sinhala Bouddhaya,  Bauddha Sahodaraya (Sinhalese Buddhist Brotherhood) and thousands of pamphlets  refuting the wrong views that were held by the opponents of the Sinhala people  and Buddhism.                              [/FONT]</blockquote>

Verification: Hath warak paha keeyada? (hatha wadikireema paha)

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