Prof. Dr. Tilak Kariyawasam

Professor Emeritus. First graduated (B.A. First Class Hons) from Vidyodaya University (presently known as Sri Jayewardanepure University), Sri Lanka, in 1967. He was appointed as an assistant lecturer to the same university in 1968. From 1970 to 1973, he was engaged in postgraduate research work at the University of Lancaster, U.K., and he obtained his Ph.D. in 1974. In 1980, he was appointed as a senior lecturer of the University of Kelaniya. Subsequently, he also obtained a Commonwealth Fellowship to the University of Lancaster, U.K. (1984-85).

Prof. Tilak was the Head of the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies (1988-1997) and the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies (1998-2003) at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He also held the Senior Professor of Buddhist Studies and Chair (2005-2008) at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. On 1/1/2008, he received the Vice-Chancellor’s award for completing 40 years of university service. In 2012, he was conferred the title “Professor Emeritus” by the University of Kelaniya.

Since 2009, he has been working at the International Buddhist College (IBC). From 2009 to 2023, he was the Dean of the Graduate School of IBC. Currently, he is a permanent professor and Academic Advisor at IBC.

Prof. Tilak specializes in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhology as well as major Pāli and Sanskrit texts. He teaches subjects covering Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Culture, Pāli and Theravāda Buddhism.

Contact: 
tilak.kariyawasam(at)gmail.com

Publications

Books: 
  • 2004. “Biographical Compendium of Modern Buddhist Theras” Co-Author (In Sinhala), Sri Devi Printers, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka, 2004.
  • 2008. “Buddhist Philosophy and Culture- Concept Analysis” (In Sinhala) Published by S.Godage and Brothers, Colombo 10. Sri Lanka
Articles: 

English

  • 1983. “The Methodology of Early Buddhist Meditational Practices” The Buddhist Y.M.B.A. Colombo, Vol. LIV. No. 1, P.32-35.
  • 1990. “The Development of the Concept of Omniscience in Buddhism” Ananda V.P. Guruge Felicitation Volume, The Felicitation Volume Editorial Committee, Ed, by Prof. Y. Karunadasa, P. 223-236.
  • 1999. "Early Buddhist Concept of Omniscience and its Development in early Mahayana Buddhism" The Taisho-Kelaniya Buddhist Symposium 21-23 February 1999. Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya.
  • 2000. “Upayakausalya as depicted in Mahayana Buddhism” Kalyani Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Kelaniya, Vol. ix,x,xi,xii, and xiii, 1990-1994P. 115-136
  • 2000. "Postgraduate Education in Pali and Buddhist Studies" Workshop on Postgraduate Education in Sri Lanka Challenges for the Next Millemnnium. 04th -05th March 2000, University of Peradeniya.
  • 2001. “Omniscience: The Buddhist Point of View”Written the chapter 8 of the Book “New Horizons in BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY” edited by Prof..Maurits D.T. Kwee, Taos Institute Publications,2010, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, U.S.A.p.153-171.
  • 2001. "Present Status and Future Trends of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies" Workshop on Postgraduate research-Present Status and Future trends 20th October 2001.
  • 2002. “Some Aspects in the Development of Early Buddhist Conceptions of Omniscience in Theravada and in Early Mahayana Buddhism” Buddhist Studies Essays in Honour of Professor Lily de Silva, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Uniuversity of Peradeniya. P.135-15.
  • 2003. "Some Demoratic Principles in Buddhism-Lesson" for the Modern world" The 1st conference of East Asian Buddhist Professors & 2nd conference of Korean Buddhist Professors. 19th 21st August 2003. Beack Dam Temple in Korea.

Sinhala

  • 1968/69. “The Causes of Decline of Buddhism in India” Bauddha Smgrahaya, Published by the Buddhist Society of Rajapaksa Central College, Weeraketiya, Matar. P. 26-31
  • 1969. “The Non-Self Theory of Sthaviravada and the Theory of Reletivity of Madhyamaka”, Saranga Vidyodaya University Journal, P.31-33
  • 1967. “In what ways the Sautrantikas Prove Momentariness (Ksanikatva)” Sri Nasnobhasa Sambhavana Students union of Siri Nanobhasa University Pirivena, Deepani Printers, Nugegoda, P.95-105
  • 1972. “The Buddhist Concept of Omniscience" Patibhana Kotagama Vacissara Commemoration Volume, Vidyodaya Campus, University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, P. 34-48
  • 1979. “Buddhism and Success of Worldly Life” Bauddha Cintayen Bindaka (A drop from the Buddhist Thought) P 37-46
  • 1981. “The History of Cultural Pageants in Sri Lanka” Silver Jubilee Volume of Hendala Perahera. Siri Printers, Colombo 10, 1981. P 5-10
  • 1983. “Is the Tendency of Buddhist Psychology towards Behaviourism or Psychoanalysis?” Nivan Maga Vol. 14, P. 45-50
  • 1988. “The Cakkavatti Concept in Buddhism” Silver Jubilee Commemoration Volume of the University of Kelaniya. P. 97-119
  • 1987. “The Benifits of Puja and the Bodhi Puja” Abhinandana Felicitation Volume to Venerable Hettimulle Vajirabuddhi Thero, P. 55-58
  • 1990. “The Modern Social Attitude to development and the Buddhist Definition of Development” Abhivandana Asiri Printers, Galigamuwa, 1990, P. 37-40
  • 1991. “The Sri Lankan Concept of the Buddha developed through the Concept of the Buddha in the Nikayas” Sri Pannatissa Felicition Volume, Vidyalankara Printers, P. 16-47,
  • 1992. “The Early Indian Concept of Sarvajnatajnana and its Buddhist Interpretation”
  • Vimalakirti Felicitation Volume. P. 63-70
  • 1998. “The Buddhist Theory of Double Truth- Sammuti and Paramattha in Buddhism.” Vageesodaya Literary Jornal, Silver Jubilee Special Volume, Ksetrarama Pirivena, Kande Viharaya. P. 100-106
  • 1998. “Lithic Craft in Meemeduma, Baddegama.” Sri Nanananda Sambhavana Literary Journal Watareka Sri Nanananda Felicitation Volume, Paramattha Dharmakara Pirivena Temple, P. 46-54
  • 1999. “The Main Features of Theravada and Mahayana” Aloko Udapadi Kosgada Jinalankara Mahanayake Felicitation Volume. P.181-193
  • 1999. “Religious Education and the Buddhist Monks in Sri Lanka” Locana Journal of Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University, Vol. I. 191-203
  • 1999. “The Historical Data in the Samannaphala Sutta” Prabuddha 01 Felicitation Volume of Udugama Sri Buddharaksita Anunayaka Thero, Samayawardana Printers, Colombo 10. P.178-187
  • 1999. “The Theory of Non-Self in Buddhism” Vesak Sirisara Buddhist Annual, The Government Services Buddhist Association, Kadawata. p. 88-93