Hidden in Plain Sight: Historical Records That Link the Buddha to Sri Lanka

Independent Sources from Western Explorers, Soldiers, and Storytellers

“The Buddhists affirm that their great teacher thrice visited Ceylon, and the sacred footprint is his own…”
— William Skeen, 1870

For centuries, the world has been told that the Buddha was born, enlightened, and passed away in India. But what if old European records, completely independent of Buddhist scriptures, told another story?

Before archaeology was politicized, and before modern borders were drawn, early travelers, missionaries, and chroniclers from Europe documented deep and ancient Buddhist connections to Sri Lanka — sometimes even stating that the Buddha walked upon this land.

Let’s explore six powerful historical records that hint at a much older truth.

1. The Travels of Marco Polo (1845, Hugh Murray Edition)

📖 Marco Polo, in his journey to Asia, describes Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka and clearly mentions Buddha’s footprint at the summit.

“Upon the summit is the footprint of the First Man, which the Saracens attribute to Adam, the idolaters to Buddha…”

This shows that even foreign visitors believed Buddha had physically visited Lanka, long before the Indian-centered story took over.

🛒 Available on Amazon (Facsimile Edition)

2. The Historic Tragedy of the Island of Ceilão (1685, João Ribeiro)

A Portuguese soldier and chronicler, Ribeiro wrote firsthand accounts of Ceylon in the 17th century. He describes how the locals revered Buddha as a god, and how Adam’s Peak was sacred to Buddhists long before Christian or Muslim interpretations.

“The people of Ceilão revere the Mountain of the Footprint as a place where their god, Buddou, once stood…”

🛒 Available on Amazon (Historical reprint)

3. A New Historical Relation of the Kingdom of Siam (1693, Simon de la Loubère)

While writing about Siam (Thailand), de la Loubère remarks that Buddhist relics and traditions came from Zeilan (Sri Lanka). Even distant countries believed Lanka was the source of true relics and teachings.

“…many believe the true relics came from the Island of Zeilan, where the Enlightened One left his mark.”

🛒 Available on Amazon (Collector’s Edition)

4. The History of Ceylon (1817, by “Philalethes” a.k.a. Rev. James Cordiner)

One of the earliest English texts documenting Ceylon, Cordiner wrote about ancient ruins and sacred places where locals claimed Buddha once walked and taught.

“The natives point to sacred trees, ruins, and caves as places where Buddha himself walked and preached…”

🛒 Available on Amazon (Historical Print)

5. Adam’s Peak (1870, William Skeen)

A deeply researched book on the legends of Adam’s Peak, Skeen admits the Buddhist version is the oldest and most geographically precise, even explaining the three visits of Buddha to Sri Lanka.

“The Buddhists affirm that their great teacher thrice visited Ceylon, and the sacred footprint is his own…”

🛒 Available on Amazon (Sri Lankan Print)

6. Legends of Ceylon in Fairy Tales (1900, Aline Van Dort)

Even in local fairy tales recorded during colonial times, the Buddha is portrayed as a divine visitor to Lanka, calming demons and taming forests.

“When the Enlightened One came to our island, the yakkas bowed and the forests grew quiet…”

🛒 Available on Amazon (Classic Reprint)

What Can We Learn From This?

These aren’t Buddhist scriptures or Sri Lankan chronicles. They are European observations from 1600s–1800s, recording local beliefs that:

✅ The Buddha visited Lanka multiple times
✅ Sacred sites like Adam’s Peak were tied to his presence
✅ Foreign Buddhists believed Lanka held original relics
✅ Local legends placed Buddha walking, preaching, and taming spirits on this island

Conclusion: A Forgotten Legacy Awaits Rediscovery

These old books are like cracks in the official story — revealing a time when the connection between Buddha and Lanka was known, respected, and accepted. With modern research and open minds, it’s time to look beyond borders and rediscover the true spiritual geography of the Buddha’s life.

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💬 What do you think?

Do these old texts prove something was forgotten — or hidden on purpose? Let us know in the comments.

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