The scope of this work is limited to the history and description of that particular stock or branch of Buddhism which has been established and continued in Ceylon. I have tried to treat this subject in a way at once popular enough to interest the general reader, and accurate enough to be of value to the scholar. With a View to the former purpose I have avoided as far as possible the use, in the text, of Pali words and tech nical terms: with a view to the latter purpose, I have given references for every statement which professes to be drawn direct from the Pali books.