If one possesses the wisdom to truly understand the teachings of the Lord Buddha, it becomes clear what a remarkable person he was. However, when we visit a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple today, can we truly grasp his greatness? The simple answer is no.
Imagine how places like Jethawanaramaya, Weluwanaramaya, and Isipathnaramaya must have looked during the Buddha’s time—thousands of Bhikkhus moving about, devoted to their spiritual practice. But today, when we visit Sri Lankan temples, we often see numerous Devalayas (shrines dedicated to deities) instead.
It is said that this ‘Devala’ culture emerged during the Kandyan era, primarily to accommodate Indian queens (most likely Tamil queens) who worshipped alongside the king. Over time, individuals with special abilities or perceived spiritual power were also honored by society, elevated to divine status, and venerated as gods. This practice continues today, despite the fact that there is no longer a need to cater to Indian queens.
I once asked the chief incumbent of our village temple why so many Devalayas were being built on temple grounds. His immediate response was, “Otherwise, people won’t come to the temple, and we won’t have enough money for its development.”
Unfortunately, such methods rely on superficial popularity rather than true spiritual growth. Instead of resorting to these tactics, temples should adapt to the modern era by introducing meaningful initiatives—well-maintained and landscaped premises, secluded spaces for meditation, and programs for Dhamma discussions. These approaches would better serve the true purpose of a Buddhist temple.
