Wijanapatha Concept

Nowadays, the world community is more interested in environmental values and the concept of wilderness is unique among these. This concept has been created based on environmental concepts presented by Western theorists such as Nees and Rolston, and Wilderness is an ecosystem free of human activity, relaxing, and full of natural beauty, which is no longer limited to land, but also includes free ocean areas free of human activity ( also exists as marine wilderness). The concept of wilderness can be identified as a concept developed in relation to a natural ecosystem that supports human beings to achieve recreational, transformational, and aesthetic benefits. This concept has been created based on western environmental values studies and it appears that Eastern values and practices have not been considered sufficiently. The purpose of this study is to find out how this concept has been interpreted in Sri Lankan local knowledge, local practices, ancient literature and religious philosophies. The five hundred and fifty Jataka Book, Vinaya Pitaka, Sumangala Dictionary etc. existing in the local Buddhist literature as primary sources, Five Hundred and Fifty Jataka Book Commentary, Pali Sinhala Dictionary etc. Data was collected for this study through internet information as well. Thus, it appears that the word 'Vijanapatha' is suitable to be included in the Sinhala idiom to fully express the meaning of wilderness in Sinhala and that this ecosystem can be called the Vijanapatha ecosystem. Also, showing Sri Lanka's Samanala Wijanapatha Sanctuary as an example, spiritual healing is also provided as a benefit from this wilderness ecosystem and accordingly, in addition to recreational, transformational, and aesthetic value, spiritual healing is also provided. The final conclusion seems to be that the concept should be included.