Mihintale - The cradle of Buddhism

by Samangie Wettimuny

As believed by thousands of Buddhists in the country, the noblest doctrine Sri Lanka accepted from her powerful neighbour, India is the doctrine of the Buddha. Buddhism was officially introduced to Sri Lanka by Arhat Mahinda on a Poson Full Moon Poya day, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa who ruled the country from 250 B.C to 210 B.C. As missionaries of Emperor Asoka of India, Arhat Mahinda appeared atop Mihintale accompanied by other monks (Ittiya, Uttiya, Sambala, Baddasala, Sumana Samanera and Panduka Upasaka) while the king was hunting and preached to him the message of the Buddha.

King Devanampiyatissa soon became a follower of Buddhism and subsequently all the citizens. The historical arrival of Arhat Mahinda which took place about 2240 years ago, is, of great significance to Sri Lankan Buddhists as it paved the way for a religious, cultural and economic revolution in the country.

Emperor Asoka's mission in conducting the Third Dhamma Counsel was to spread the message of Universal Compassion around the world. At the end of the Dhamma Counsel which was held under the Chairmanship of Moggaleeputta Tissa Thera, a decision was taken to send missionaries to various places within and outside Asokan empire and as Mahavamsa reveals 'Lanka Deepa' was one such place.

Third Dhamma Counsel

It was after the arrival of Mahinda Thera that the country moved forward dramatically from preliminary history into the full light of written history.

Following instructions of Mahinda Thera, King Devanampiyatissa took steps to establish Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka and Mahavamsa reveals how a nephew of the King was ordained first in order to set an example for others. Soon a lot of young ones entered Sasana , and became the disciples of Mahinda Thera.

As historical records reveal, prior to the introduction of Buddhism, people had been worshipping nature. But as they became the followers of Buddhism, the message of Universal Compassion, they became compassionate and well-disciplined. During Arhat Mahinda's time Abhayagiriya and Maha Viharaya were the centres for education. Buddhist monks were the advisors to the kings.

Construction of Maha Vihara, Chetiyagiri, Thuparama Vihara, Isurumuni, Vessa Giri, Thissa Wewa, Paramaka Chetiya took place during the very first year of Mahinda Thera's arrival and that shows how Buddhism had taken a firm hold on the land during a very short period.

The arrival of Arhat Mahinda was soon followed by the bringing of a sapling of the historic Bo tree from Buddha Gaya (Under which the Buddha attained enlightenment) by Sangamitta Therani, sister of Arhat Mahinda.

It was she who pioneered in establishing the 'Biukkuni Sasana' in Sri Lanka and Queen Anula was the first to join the Order of Nuns.

People of 16 castes arrived here for the protection of the Bo Sapling and that made a different tremendous progress in spheres such as agriculture, architecture, monumental masonry and engineering. In fact, the introduction of Buddhism with a great civilisation attached to it and the arrival of skilled labour brought about a remarkable change in the social and religious life of the country. With religious and literary activities taking place on a massive scale, the country's authentic history, in fact, began with the arrival of Arhat Mahinda and Sangamitta Therani.

It was Mahinda Thera who introduced Brahmi alphabet to the country, thus, enriching Sinhala language. Modern Sinhalese letters are a development of Brahmi letters. Sinhala literature and the Buddhist literature cannot be separated.

Large crowds of pilgrims converge to Mihintale annually, not only because it is the 'cradle' of a religion which is followed by majority of Sri Lankans, but also because it is the place where our culture, and civilisation originated.