Buddhism:

Emperor Asoka’s priceless gift to Lanka

With the dawn of Poson Full Moon Poya Day, the Sinhala Buddhists commemorate the 2252th anniversary of their spiritual rebirth in Sri Lanka; that is the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Arahath Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka of India, officially introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka on Poson Poya Day in the year 236 BC.

Every Buddhist and even most of those who are not Buddhists, are familiar with the story of the advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. However, with Poson Poya just round the corner, we thought of refreshing your mind about this significant event...

It was on a full moon day, that Arahath Mahinda, accompanied by four distinguished Bhikkhus named Iththiya, Uththiya, Sambala, Bhaddasala and Samanera Sumana, and a devout Upasaka, Bhanduka arrived on his historic mission in this beautiful little isle to propagate the sublime (inspiring) Dhamma.

It was in the form of an esteemed (highly regarded) offer from Emperor Asoka the Great, to his royal friend King Devanampiyatissa. These Indian dharmaduthas (messengers) came here out of compassion for us. They arrived and rested on the now famous ‘Missaka Rock’ - which is known as ‘Mihintale’ today.

Poson was a festival day for our ancient Sinhalese and King Devanampiyatissa, the ruler of Sri Lanka, who enjoyed sport had gone hunting deer with a large group of men, to the very place where the dharmaduthas were resting. The Arahath Mahinda, who saw the monarch running in his direction, chasing a deer, addressed him as “Tissa, Tissa,” with the aim of attracting his attention.

The King stood still in shock because no one would dare address him so. Who was calling out to him by his name in this deserted forest? he wondered and turned in the direction of the voice. He was astonished to see a dignified monk in saffron robes on top of the rock; a spectacle he had never seen before. The King inquired as to who he was, in great reverence (respect). Then the Arahath politely replied.

‘Samana mayam maharaja
Dhamma rajassa savaka
Tav’eva anukampaya
Jambudipa idha gata.’

(We are monks, great King, the disciples of the King of Truth. Purely out of compassion for you, we have come here from India).

The King wished to know how they arrived on that solitary spot, high on top of the rock.

Arahath Mahinda then told the King that they came neither by water nor by land. The intelligent King inferred (came to a conclusion) that they had arrived by air. He was delighted and promptly laid down his weapon. Then he sat down with his retinue(band of followers) to hear the Dhamma.

However, the venerable teacher, before expounding (explaining) the Dhamma tested the intelligence of the cultured King by asking some simple questions from him.

“What is the name of this tree, O King”?
“This tree is called a mango tree.”
“Is there yet another mango tree besides this?”
“There are many mango trees.”
“And are there yet other trees besides this mango and other mango trees?”
“There are many trees, Sir, but they are not mango trees.”
“And are there, besides the other mango trees and those trees which are not mango trees, yet other trees?”
“There is this mango tree, Sir.”
“Thou hast a shrewd, wit, O ruler of men. Hast thou kinsfolk, O King?”
“There are many, Sir.”
“And are there also some who are not thy kinsfolk?”
“These are more of those than of my kin.”
“Is there anyone besides the kinsfolk and the others?”
“There is myself, Sir.”
“Good, thou hast a shrewd wit, O ruler of men.” (Mahavansa)

The King answered each question put to him sensibly. Thereupon the Arahath Mahinda delivered the ‘Chula Haththipadopama Sutta.’ This eventually led to the establishment of Buddhism in our country; a turning point which bestowed upon our land the most precious and revered gift, Buddhism.

This important discourse the Chula Haththipadopama Sutta describes the life of an ideal Bhikkhu and the different stages of mental development leading upto the ultimate goal, Nibbana. Immediately the King embraced the new teaching and became a follower of the Buddha. His retinue followed suit.

After the departure of the King and his followers, the lay disciple Bhanduka was granted the lesser (Pabbajja) and the higher ordination (Upasampada) by the Sangha. Soon after he attained Arahathship. Thus Bhanduka became the first Arahath in Sri Lanka.

Later, as instructed by Arahath Mahinda, Sumana Samanera standing on the summit of the present Aradhanagala, announced that it was time to hear the Dhamma. By means of his psychic powers, he made his voice heard throughout Lanka. The first penniless missioners who visited this island with the purest of motives, mainly to work for our moral welfare, gave us transcendental (beyond the normal range) treasures.

The day after their arrival, Arahath Mahinda and the other bhikkhus went to the city as invited by the King, and the Arahath expounded the simpler and the higher teachings of the Buddha for seven days, to both men and women of our land who were eager to hear the sublime Dhamma. Foremost amongst those who understood the Dhamma was Queen Anula who attained Sovan, the first stage towards the state of Arahath.

As Queen Anula expressed her desire to enter the order, Arahath Mahinda sent envoys to his sister, Bhikkhuni Sangamitta, inviting her to Lanka. She readily responded to her brother’s invitation and arrived in Sri Lanka with a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree - (which was planted at Mahamevuna Uyana, Anuradhapura) accompanied by a good number of scholars, politicians and artisans.

This new venture led to the political, intellectual and economic development of the Sinhalese.The Sinhalese are deeply indebted to Buddhism for moral, intellectual, cultural and spiritual development.

In fact, the Sinhala race grew up in the cradle of Buddhism.Ahinsa or harmlessness was one of the first lessons the Sinhalese learnt from Buddhism. Through the vision of Buddhism, the Sinhalese became the gentlest race in the world.The Sinhalese are also indebted to Buddhism for their alphabet and the art of writing.

Today the people of Sri Lanka have, in general, earned the regard and respect of the world community because they have lived according to the Buddhist concepts of kindness, compassion, generosity, hospitality and tolerance.

We Sri Lankans should be proud of our heritage and magnificent civilization. We should live up to the noble ideals of our refined culture guided and moulded by Buddhism and other world religions. And we should make an endeavour to lead lives in keeping with our esteemed civilization to usher a spiritual and moral regeneration in our country.

- Asha Senevirathne, Illustration by Kananke K. Premachandra