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| Sunday, 23 June 2002 |
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Mihintale - the rocky citadel of Buddhism by Aryadasa Ratnasinghe Mihintale, the rocky mountain, before the arrival of Arhat Mahinda Thera, 2,308 years ago, was known as Missaka Pabbata. Its trigon-metrical altitude is 1,089 feet above sea level, and lies 8 miles to the East of Anuradhapura, magnificently rising above the verdant lowland rich with vegetation. The other mountains situated in its neighbourhood are Ethvehera, Anaikutti and Rajagirilena, as known in modern times.
The gentle breeze atop the mountain is so soothing to the body that even the vicious heart of the worst criminal softens like butter laden with compassion and benevolence. Picturesque The first glimpse that catches the eye of anyone on his way to the rocky citadel, is the uniform and picturesque line of footsteps, numbering 1,840, leading to the summit, so evenly and proportionately built, that even the old and feeble can ascend the mountain with ease. A tourist once remarked "It looks like a path leading to heaven". This masterpiece of super workmanship is nowhere to be found in Sri Lanka, and stands as a monument to the zeal and enthusiasm and to the religious sentiments of King Devanampiyatissa (BC 307-267) towards Buddhism, which he embraced after listening to the discourses of Arhat Mahinda Thera, the first of its kind being the Culahastipadopama Sutta (a simile on elephant's foot). Some of the places at Mihintale that stand as testimony to the pious zeal of devout kings are Kantaka Cetiya, Atasetalena, Dhatu Mandiraya, Sela Cetiya, Vatadageya, Mahaseya also known as Ambatthala Cetiya, Nagapokuna, Indikatuseya, Kaludiya Pokuna, Rajagirilena, Mihinduseya, Aradhanagala etc., which have stood the test of time receiving the benefactions of devout Buddhists. In view of the many cetiyas that came to be built at Mihintale, it is also known as the Cetiya Pabbata. Mihintale Rock was the stepping stone of Arhat Mahinda and his companions, who came to Sri Lanka from Vedisagiri Vihara in Sanchi intent on propagating the doctrine of the Buddha, as bidden by his father, the emperor Asoka of India, and to convert the king and his people to the new faith. The Mahavamsa gives a clear account about the Mahinda Tissa confrontation, when the two met atop the Mihintale mountain on the Poson Fullmoon Day in BC 306. Since then it came to be known as the Rocky Citadel of Buddhism. When the great Pali scholar, Ven. Buddhaghosa Maha Thera, came to Sri Lanka, during the reign of Mahanama (410-432 AD), he had seen Mihintale gleeing with yellow robes and providing shelter for thousands of Bhikkus, who were in deep meditation within the 68 caves ('atasetalena"), built by king Devanampiyatissa, in addition to 1,600 monasteries occupied by the clergy. The caves are found in the proximity of the Kantaka Cetiya. It is not known who built the Kantaka Cetiya and how it came to be built. But there is the belief that King Lanjatissa (BC 119-101 also known as Lemeni Tissa, anxious to atone for his neglect of Buddhism and remissness towards Bhikkus, went to the other extreme of lavish expenditure and unbound munificence towards Buddhism. He is said to have built a splendid stone mantle to the Kantaka Cetiya. (Mhv. 33:25). This means that the Cetiya was built earlier to his reign. King Kutakannatissa alias Kalakannitissa (BC 44-22), sometimes known as Makalantissa, built a large building at Mihintale for the 'uposatha' of the Bhikkus, and to the East of it, built a stone cetiya, and ceremonially planted a bo-tree nearby. Being the first king, who was earlier a Bhikku, was more interested in Buddhism than ruling the country. (Mhv. 34:31). Resplendent King Mahadatika Mahanaga (AD 06-18), also known as Mahadeliya Mana, immediately after his accession to the throne, built the Ambatthala Cetiya (Ambulu Dagoba), which is said to mark the spot where the Arhat Mahinda stood when King Devanampiyatissa first saw him, while on his hunting spree. After completion of the Cetiya, the king set up, at the four entrances, four bejewelled arches, which skilled artists had fashioned into things of beauty, and which were said to have been resplendent with costly gems of every kind. To be fastened to the cetiya, the king made a cover decorated with golden balls and festoons of pearls. (Mhv. 34:72). After the completion of the cetiya, the king held in its honour, a great feast known as 'Giribhanda Pooja' and an almsgiving to Bhikkus known as 'Thulabhara Dana' (alms equal to his own weight). The ruined statue, with no head and arms, beside the cetiya and facing it, is said to be of king Devanampiyatissa, and to mark his own position, when he had first seen the Arhat Mahinda. King Vasabha (65-109 AD), had one thousand lamps lit at Mihintale and gifted robes to Bhikkus on Poson Fullmoon Day (Mhv. 35:79). King Kanittatissa (164-182) had built a new vihara for the Ambattahala Chetiya. (Mhv. 36-09). King Gotabhaya (248-261), had restored the Ambattahala Cetiya that was in ruin and in a state of neglect. (Mhv. 36.106). King Jettatissa (261-275 AD) had renovated the Kalumetiwewa and bestowed it to the Bhikkus resident at Mihintale, to provide water for drinking, washing and bathing (Mhv. 36:129 AD). King Sirimeghavanna (302-311 AD), had placed a statue of Arhat Mahinda near the Ambatthala Cetiya, and proclaimed it to be carried in procession annually, on Poson Poya Day, from Mihintale to Anuradhapura, for the public to pay their homage to the great apostle. (Mhv. 37:69). King Aggabodhi I (568-601), built the Nagapokuna alias Nagasondipokuna, and the Mihintalawewa to acquire greater merit. (Mhv. 41:30). It also was to serve water for the Bhikkus during the dry season when water was scarce. Regal Other kings who showed interest and worked for the welfare of the Bhikkus at Mihintale were Aggabodhi V (711-717), Dappula II (818-828) and Kassapa IV (896-913). With the transfer of power from Anurahdapura to Polonnaruwa in 1058, Mihintale lost its religious fervour, as the kings were more interested to save their regal power than work for the Saasana in the lost city. The Mahaseya (Ambatthala Cetiya), which we see atop the mountain from a distance, is 45 ft. in height and has circumference of 136 ft., at the bottom, and is pure white in colour. Next in importance is the Mihinduguha, wherein Arhat Mahinda is said to have passed away at the age of 80 years. Archaeological investigations of the slab inscriptions, cave inscriptions, rock inscriptions and pillar inscriptions have been made use of to ascertain the historic significance of the Holy Mountain. It was during the governorship of Sri Edward Stubbs (1933-1937), that the colonial administrators appear to have taken some interest to find out the archaic significance of Mihintale. Excavations made have unearthed a great deal of valuable information to tell the tale of this historic mountain and its association with Buddhism for more than 2,000 years. On Poson Fullmoon Day, Buddhists who go to Anuradhaprua on pilgrimage, do not fail to go to Mihintale, the Rocky Citadel of Buddhism, to pay their obeisance to Arhat Mahinda Thera who established Buddhism in Sri Lanka. |
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The whole sacred area of Mihintale covers about 450 acres or 182
hectares. This jungle-clad mountain is the haven for ungulates, such as
deer, elk, stag that roam in the wilderness.
