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Message: <blockquote data-quote="netlife007" data-source="post: 16946253" data-attributes="member: 79514">[FONT=&quot]BUDDHISTS - THE CLEAR  WINNERS[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The debate took place  in a peaceful manner and Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera delivered the closing  speech in the evening of the final day, and refuted effectively the malicious  charges made against the teachings of the Buddha. At the end of the debate, it  was quite clear to everyone that that the Buddhist side outshone others.   Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera presented the Buddhist point of view in a  most eloquent manner.  His  reasoning was  exceptionally powerful and his eloquence was most convincing which made the  Buddhists the clear winners of the debate.  After the debate the  thousands of people left the grounds shouting "SADHU SADHU", jubilantly  expressing their joy at the outcome of the debate. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The debate ended with  a clear victory for Buddhists. Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera not only replied  effectively to the fallacies of the Christian speakers, but also enlightened  them on the principles and tenets of the Buddhist doctrine. Buddhists were  overjoyed with the outcome of this historic debate. Festivities were held in  every temple to mark their triumph and the effigy of Mohottiwatte Gunananda  Thera was carried in procession in every village. This triumph became a great  source of inspiration, strength and courage for Sinhala Buddhists to work more  vigorously to revive their lost glory.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]PUBLICITY OF THE  DEBATE                                                                                               [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Newspapers such  as  the Lakrivikirana, the Ceylon Times and the Ceylon Observer  carried reports on the debate. The Ceylon Times which was the leading English  newspaper at the time sent a special representative to report the proceedings of  the debate. A complete report of all the speeches corrected by the speakers  themselves was published in English day by day. As arranged by the Editor of  ‘Ceylon Times’ named John Cooper, an English summary of the whole debate was  prepared by Edward Perera. This was printed in the form of a booklet including  the proceedings of the debate under the title  "A full Account of  the Buddhist Controversy held at Panadura in August 1873".   Thousands of copies of this English translation were published and  distributed widely. [/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Dr. James Martin  Peebles an American happened to be in Sri Lanka during the time of the debate  and had occasion to read the book on the debate published by the Ceylon Times.  Upon his return to USA, Dr. Peebles published  the book with an  introduction explaining how the Buddhists in Sri Lanka have shown the real  position of Christianity. He gave the book the title "Buddhists and Christianity  Face to Face". As a result Europeans specially the intellectuals wanted to know  about Buddhism and directed their attention towards Sri Lanka. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]IMPACT OF THE  PANADURA DEBATE[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]The aftermath and  impact of the debate was extraordinary with far reaching national and  international implications. It soon became the major force behind  re-establishing the identity and pride of Sinhala Buddhists that was diminishing  rapidly under the deceitful, repressive and authoritarian practices of the  British Administration. Besides, the Panadura Debate contributed immensely as an  eye opener for the Buddhists. It helped to accelerate the Buddhist Revival  Movement. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Its international  impact was equally significant providing the world with a wealth of knowledge  that greatly appealed to and appreciated by the intelligentsia. It definitely  helped to bring about increased awareness in the western world, about the  teachings of the Buddha. Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and Madame Blawatsky were  among those deeply influenced by the contents of the book published by  Peebles.  After reading it Colonel Otcott  become  deeply interested in Buddhism. He felt this is one of the religions he was  looking for to unearth the secret of the Universe. It was Mohottiwatte Gunananda  Thera’s eloquent presentation of the Buddhist point of view that impressed him  most. Olcott described Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera as "the most brilliant  Polemic Orator of the Island, the terror of the missionaries, with a very  intellectual head, most brilliant and powerful champion of the Sinhala  Buddhism". [/FONT]</blockquote>

Verification: Winadiyakata thappara keeyak tibeda?

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