In this book, Upham provides a detailed and engaging look at the history and culture of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) through the lens of its Buddhist texts and literature. The Mahávansi, the Rájá-ratnácari, and the Rájá-vali are some of the most important historical texts of the island, and Upham's translation of them allows readers to gain insight into the unique religious and cultural practices of Sri Lanka. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Buddhism, South Asian history, or Sri Lankan culture. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.