International Conference on Heritage as Soft Power

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Author: search.filters.author.Panampitiya, W. M. G. N.

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    A Study of Buddhist meditation practices as soft power to improve spiritual tourism in Sri Lanka
    (Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2019) Dhammasara, Rev. T. Thero; Panampitiya, W. M. G. N.
    Soft power explains how modern states can use cultural heritage for positive attraction and persuasion to achieve global influence. Buddhism includes a unique analysis of human psychology and adaptation practices which help to the relief of some psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and aggression. Buddhist meditation is a great method to release stress and acquire a peaceful mind in particularly tranquillity (Samatha) and Insight (Vipassana) meditation. Spiritual tourism is an important component in the tourism industry in any country. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify methods of using Buddhist meditation practices to increase the attraction of foreigners into Sri Lanka. The functional method was used in this study and primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews including 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Tripitaka. Secondary data was collected from relevant journal articles, research reports, textbooks and other academic works. The data was analyzed based on the descriptive method. Sri Lanka is a land of spiritually endowed with many places of worship, pilgrim centers and Buddhist monuments. Although, Pilgrimage Buddhist tourism is very famous all over Sri Lanka, there are very limited places related to spiritual tourism in Sri Lanka. Buddhist meditation system and techniques are more vital parts of the spiritual tourism with the help of well-skilled and knowledge of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. This study has an empathized importance of using Buddhist meditation practices not only for realizing the reality of life or to attain the supreme state of Nirvana for psychotherapy to get rid of psychological issues such as stress and depression. Promoting these psychotherapy values of meditation practices directly affect the improvement of foreign tourist attraction. Therefore, it is important to increase the quality of presence of international meditation centers and to enhance government and non-governmental financial provisions to spread the number of international meditation centres further to promote spiritual tourism in Sri Lanka. As well as it is significant to having formal monitoring mechanisms regarding those institutions to increase the quality of services and to establish the landmark of spiritual tourism in Sri Lanka.
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    A study of importance of Shanthikarma as soft power for country branding of Sri Lanka
    (Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2019) Panampitiya, W. M. G. N.; Rev. Dhammasara, T. Thero
    Soft power is a new type of power that can be used to brand nation and country, association with intangible power sources such as culture, ideology and institutions. Over the human civilization, many communities have developed their traditions, rituals and methods related to different fields such as dancing, music, arts, agriculture, medicine, irrigation systems and architecture in harmony with local ecosystems and nature. Sri Lanka has over 2500 years of history and it is related to traditional art including various types of dancing, music, paintings and sculptures from ancient history. Shanthikarma (a ritual consisting of chanting, drumming, and dancing aimed at warding off evil spirits) is a fundamental part of upcountry and low- country dancing systems in Sri Lanka. There are many forms of Shanthikarma practices in Sri Lanka varying from the health, protection and wellbeing of individuals as well as the society. But in modern society, Shanthikarma is diminishing rapidly as a result of various socio-economic transformations. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify methods of using Shanthikarma to promote the identity of Sri Lanka in the field of tourism. This study is based on data from secondary sources. The literature review method was used for collecting data from relevant journal articles, research reports, textbooks and other academic works. The relevant literature was used according to the purposes of the study. The data was analyzed based on the descriptive method. Although many people have focused their attention on utilizing cultural heritage such as archaeological sites, Perahera to promote tourism, there is an inadequate focus on integrating methods of elements of Shanthikarma to increase the attraction of foreigners to Sri Lanka. Vocal elements such as Sloka, Sanna, Stanzas, drumming performance of Getabera and Yak bera, Dramatic items such as Yakkam, and Dancing items such as Yakkenuma, Bulath padaya, Kothala padaya, Thelme in Shanthikarma including Kohombayak Kankari Shanthikarma, Gammadu, Dewol madu and Bali Shanthikarma, Riddiyagaya, Dahaata Sanniya are main elements which can be used independently and separately to increase the attraction of foreigners. Currently, a space to perform these items in tourist hotels in Sri Lanka cannot be found. These separated vocal, dancing and dramatic items of Shanthikarma can be performed in a special stage of top tourist hotels and accommodations in a specific time. As well as, it can be organized several cultural events including Shanthikarma in the period of increasing arrivals of foreigners to Sri Lanka. There are Thanthra which create a mental stimulant. Thus, those artistic and psychotherapy values should be promoted as soft power for the Country branding of Sri Lanka.