The Pattini Cult: A review on the beliefs on a female deity venerated by people in Sri Lanka and the Hindu-Buddhist synergism in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Goddess Pattini is a female deity, worshiped among Buddhists as well as Hindus. Although Goddess Pattini is considered as a Hindu deity, she occupies a supreme position even among Buddhists. While female deities do not occupy major positions in Buddhism, Goddess Pattini is an exception. The origin of Goddess Pattini is South Indian and based on the findings, it is evident that the Pattini cult in Sri Lanka dates back to the 2nd Century A.D. Goddess Pattini is a mesmerizing example of womanhood and the Hindu-Buddhist synergism. There are various mythologies associated with the origin of the Pattini cult and the introduction of the Pattini cult to Sri Lanka. This study is based on qualitative data while books, e-books, newspaper articles, reliable websites, national and international journals have been used as secondary data collection methods in this study. The main aim of this review paper is to focus on the Hindu-Buddhist synergism, to provide a descriptive amount of information gathered about the Pattini cult and the various beliefs on Goddess Pattini spread all over the island and to focus on the common beliefs held by people. Based on this review it is apparent that there are widespread beliefs and mythologies among the Sri Lankan people on the Pattini cult and the Hindu-Buddhist synergism due to the Pattini cult.