Pārakrama Paṇḍita

Sinhalese writer

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July 1, 2026

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Pārakrama Paṇḍita was a Sinhalese writer known for his historical chronicles. He is credited with writing the Thūpavaṃsaya ("Chronicle of the Great Stupa"), which is considered one of the most important early chronicles in Sinhalese literature. This work, along with others like the Mahāvaṃsa and Cūḷavaṃsa, reflects a strong tradition of historical record-keeping in Sri Lanka, influenced by Buddhist texts. His writings contributed to a genre that documented the history of Buddhist monuments and kings who protected relics.12

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South Asian arts
Sinhalese literature: 10th century ad to 19th century
…of the Great Stupa”), by Pārakrama Paṇḍita. Subsequent chronicles, or genealogies of places, comprise the history of all of the major Buddhist monuments. Several chronicles were also inspired by the Tooth Relic, received from Kaliṅga in the 4th century by King Kīrtiśrīmēghavarṇa. Such chronicling included that of the kings who…
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…of the Great Stupa”), by Pārakrama Paṇḍita. Subsequent chronicles, or genealogies of places, comprise the history of all of the major Buddhist monuments. Several chronicles were also inspired by the Tooth Relic, received from Kaliṅga in the 4th century by King Kīrtiśrīmēghavarṇa. Such chronicling included that of the kings who…
Read More