Dīpavaṁsa, The Chronicle of the Island

These storybooks are based on the Dīpavaṁsa, an ancient Buddhist historical record from Sri Lanka, translated by Hermann Oldenberg. The text chronicles the origins of Buddhism on the island, beginning with the legendary visits of the Buddha and his supernatural victories over non-human inhabitants. It details the lineage of ancient kings and the history of the early Buddhist Councils that preserved the sacred teachings. A significant portion focuses on the reign of King Asoka, documenting his conversion to the faith and his efforts to propagate the religion. Through these diverse accounts, the storybooks illustrate the foundational narrative for the establishment of the Theravāda tradition.