Heralding civilization to lofty heights

By Samangie Wettimuny

[email protected]

As believed by Sri Lankan Buddhists, the most crucial event in the entire history of Sri Lanka, was the official introduction of Buddhism to the country by missionaries of the Indian emperor Asoka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (250 B.C- 210 B.C).

More then 2240 years ago on a Poson Full Moon Poya day, Arhat Mahinda accompanied by other theras Iththiya, Uththiya, Sambala, Baddasala, Sumana Samanera and lay adherent(Upasaka) Banduka appeared atop Mihintala in Anuradhapura while the king was hunting and preached to him Chulla Haththi Padopama Sutta.

After embracing Buddhism the king gave up hunting altogether and Mihintale Ambawanaya is now considered as the country’s first wild life santuary.

The new religion took firm hold in the land under the auspices of the king, thus moulding the lives of all the citizens. Since its arrival in the 3rd Century B.C., Buddhism has helped Sri Lankan civilization ascend to lofty heights. In fact Mihintale is not only the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, but also the place where our civilization and culture originated.

Mahavamsa is also named as Sasanavamsa as it contains detailed descriptions of the arrival of Buddhism in the country and its expansion. In fact fifteen out of its first twenty chapters deal with the spreading of Buddhism in the country.

As Mahavamsa reveals there had been a great friendship between King Devanampiyatissa and Emperor Asoka of India and the latter had even assisted the former on the occasion of his coronation.

Third Dhamma Council

At the end of the Third Dhamma Council which was held under the Chairmanship of Moggaleeputta Tissa Thera, it was decided to send missionaries to various places - within the country and out side.

In fact Emperor Asoka’s mission in conducting the Council was to spread the teachings of the Buddha around the world. The most successful missionary group was the one which was sent to ‘Lankadeepa’ headed by Arhat Mahinda.

In Mahavamsa there is reference to the arrival of Arhat Mahinda in Sri Lanka along with other theras.

“Maha Mahinda therancha,
Theran Iththiya muthiiyan,
sambalan Baddasalancha’
sake Saddhiviharaka.”

Buddhism is a deep philosophy and a high level of intelligence is needed to grasp the subject. It was only after testing his level of intelligence that the Thera preached to him the Dhamma. The dialogue between the king and Arhat Mahindawhich is known as the Intelligence test is as follows.

Arhat Mahinda (A.M): O: Mighty King, What is this tree? (pointing at the Mango tree which was near by)

King(K): It is a mango tree

A.M: Are there any other mango trees other than this tree?

K: Yes, there are several

A.M: Are there any trees other than this mango tree and other mango trees?

K: Yes, But those trees are not mango trees.

A.M: Are there any trees other than those mango trees and the trees which are not mango?

K: yes, It is this mango tree

A.M: Do you have relatives?

K: Yes, several

A.M: Are there any one who is not related to you?

K: Yes, several

A.M: Are there anyone else other than those who are your relatives and non relatives?

K: Yes, It is me.

Satisfied with his level of intelligence, Arhat Mahinda preached to him Chulla Haththipadopama Sutta. The king soon became a follower of the Buddha. Then Arhat Mahinda ordained Banduka and preached Samachiththa Pariyaya Sutta to the gathering.

The following day Queen Anula and five hundred women entered the first stage of path to Nibbana. Since people from all parts of the country swelled the crowds, more space was needed to accommodate them.

As a result the grand elephant stall of the palace too had to be used as a ‘Dharmashala’. Later when the number of people increased even further, Nandana Uyana too had been used to enable people to listen to Bala Panditha Sutta preached by Arhat Mahinda. More than thousand women had entered the first stage of path to Nibbana at the end of the sermon.

Pre Mahinda era

The first religious incident that occurred in the country as revealed by Mahavamsa was the Buddha’s first visit to the country- to Mahiyangana in the ninth month of his Enlightenment. On a Duruthu poya day, the Buddha had visited Mahiyangana.

His second visit was to Nagadeepa on a Bak Amawaka Poya day in the fifth year of his enlightenment to settle a dispute between two Naga kings-Chulodara and Mahodara over a gem-studded throne.

The Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka took place on the invitation of Maniakkitha Naga king of Kelaniya in the eighth year of Supreme enlightenment on a Vesak Full Moon Poya day.

Many Yakkhas and Nagas had established themselves in the three refuges (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) during the Buddha’s visits to Mahiyangana and Nagadeepa respectively.

Also from time to time, groups of people had arrived in Sri Lanka from India. Some of them had even settled down in the country. Prince Vijaya who arrived here along with seven hundred men, had even brought his Chief Queen from India.It is said that several other women accompanied her.

So we can assume that there could have been followers of the Buddha among them as his doctrine was said to be quite popular among Indians at that time.

Moreover Queen Baddhakachchayana, the Chief Queen of King Panduwasdevu was a niece of Prince Siddartha (She is a daughter of a cousin of the Prince Siddartha.) She arrived in the country with six of his brothers. Also since the majority of the Sakyans were the followers of the Buddha, it could be assumed that this group could have been Buddhists.

As mentioned in an inscription in Thiriyaya, the sacred hair relices of the Buddha which was brought in by two tradesmen - Thapassu and Balluka were enshrined in Girihadu Saya. As argued by historians, such tradesmen might have played a role in spreading the religion.

Also it could be assumed that the sacred hair relics were brought in because there were already buddhists in Sri Lanka at that time. Anyway, there is no historical proof that Buddhism existed in the country prior to the arrival of Arhat Mahinda.

It was only after the arrival of Arhat Mahinda that Buddhism was officially introduced to the country and there is enough evidence to prove that. “Buddha Sasana” was thus established. Prior to that there had been beliefs like Brahmana and Jaina. Some had even worshipped the Nature, the Yaksas and the Nagas.

After the arrival of Arhat Mahinda the country moved forward dramatically from preliminary history into the full light of written history.

Under the instruction of Arhat Mahinda, King Devanampiyatissa established Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. As mentioned in Mahavamsa, for the permanency of the religion in the land, Mahinda thera had advised the king to ordain children of the country and teach them Dhamma.

A nephew of the king was the first to be ordained under the name Maharitta Thera. Soon a lot of young ones followed him and they learned the Dhamma and Vinaya from Arhat Mahinda.

Even today Sri Lankan education system is largely influenced by the moral code of buddhism. It was Arhat Mahinda who introduced Brahmi Alphabet to the country. Modern Sinhalese letters are a development of Brahmi letters.

From the 3rd century B.C upto the colonial era, temple was the centre of Buddhist education. The knowledge of the Pali Tripitaka that was orally handed down to the Sri Lankan Bikkhus by Arhat Mahinda was preserved by them in its pristine purity, handing down knowledge from teacher to pupil.

On the very first day Arhat Mahinda arrived in Sri Lanka, King Devanampiyatissa had offered him ‘Mahamegha Wanayaudyana’ (Mahamevuna uyana) as a gift. Tissaramaya which was built there, was the first vihara that was offered to Arhat Mahinda.

The thera who was said to have been 32 years old at the time he arrived in Sri Lanka, served the inhabitants of the country until his demise at the age of 62. His demise had caused an outpouring of heavy grief in the country and in commemoration of his service the adjective Anubudu is also being used when referring to him.

Arrival of Sanghamitta Therani

The arrival of Arhat Mahinda was soon followed by the bringing of a sapling of the historic Bo tree at Buddha Gaya under which the Buddha experienced enlightenment by Arhat Mahinda’s sister, Sanghamitta therani. Her arrival paved the way for the establishment of Bhikkuni Sasana.

Queen Anula was the first to join the Order of Nuns, being ordained by Sanghamitta Therani. People of 16 castes arrived in Sri Lanka along with her for the protection of the Bo tree and that made tremendous progress in many spheres such as agriculture, architecture, monumental masonry ,and engineering.

Religious and literary activities directed the country in a new path. Religious legends and historical accounts pertaining to both India and Sri Lanka appeared on a large scale.

The introduction of Buddhism with a great civilazion attached to it and the arrival of skilled labour brought about a remarkable change in the social and religious life of the country. Construction of Mahavihara, Chetiyagiri, Thuparama, Isurumuni vessagiri vihara, Thisa wewa etc signify the creativity of that era even today. Buddhism and sinhala literature are inseparable as the latter is enriched by Buddhist stories.

Thus Arhat Mahinda assisted by his sister Sanghamitta Therani could activate a religious as well as a cultural revolution in the country.

So Sri Lanka’s national calendar offers a great significance to Poson Full moon poya day, conducting mass religious observances and illuminations throughout the country, particularly in Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Buddhists await the arrival of the Poson Poya day to commemorate the invaluable service rendered by Arhat Mahinda, sacrificing his entire life to the welfare of Sri Lanka’s Buddha Sasana.