How our ancient rulers contributed

Situated some eight miles away from Anuradhapura at the junction of the North road and the road from Puttalam to Trincomalee, Mihintale is one of the most hallowed places in the country to all Buddhists. It was here that the missionary prince, Venerable Mahinda Thera, the son of Asoka, first set foot when he visited our land during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (BC 247-207).

Apart from Mihintale being the birthplace of Buddhism in this land, (as it was here that Ven. Mahinda Thera's first convert, King Devanampiyatissa embraced the faith), it is also significant as the place where the sacred relics of the Buddha brought from India originally rested until such time a structure was built elsewhere to enshrine them. It is also at Mihintale that Ven. Mahinda Thera took up residence and journeyed from daily, to the capital, to preach the Buddhist doctrine to the people.

According to the ancient chronical, the Mahavamsa King Devanampiyatissa built a monastery for the use of the monks, at Mihintale where he first met Mahinda Thera, as a commemoration of his conversion.

From then onwards, successive rulers of the land, had built up or contributed to the grandeur and glory of Mihintale.

Here's how they contributed...

* BC 119 - Lanjatissa

"Spending three hundred thousand pieces of money, built three stone terraces for offerings of flowers to the Great Cetiya" on the mountain.

* BC 42-20 - Kutakanatissa

"Built upon the Cetiya mountain, a great building for the Upasatha (Buddhist Sabbaath) festival, and to the east of this building he raised a thupa of stone, and in that place on the Cetiya mountain he planted a bodhi tree."

*AD 9-21 - Mahadathika Mahanaga

What King Mahanaga did for Mihintale was never surpassed by any single one of his predecessors or successors.

His contribution, the construction of Ambatthala stupa or dagaba to enshrine the relics of Ven. Mahinda Thera on Silla-peak, the northern peak of Mihintale mountain, is unique.

Ambathala, according to the Mahavamsa is so called after the mango tree of the Thera - connected to the first meeting of Ven. Mahinda Thera and King Devanampiyatissa.

Even today, there are mango trees planted near the Ambatthala-cetiya in memory of the event.

* AD 66-110 - Vasabha

"Had a thousand lamps lighted on the cetiya pabbata."

*AD 165-193 - Kanitthatissa

Built a temple for the Ambatthala thupa.

* AD 254-267 Gothabhaya

Repaired the Ambatthala stupa during his reign

* AD 267-277 Jettha-tissa

"Bestowed the Kalamattika tank on the cetiya - pabbata Vihara.

* AD 304-332 Siri Meghavanna

He built a golden image of Ven. Mahinda Thera and held a great festival, carrying the statue in procession from Ambatthala to his capital, Anuradhapura.

* AD 463-479 - Dhatusena

"Built the Ambatthala vihara on the cetiya - pabbata"

* AD 546-598 - Aggobodhi I

"provided a permanent water supply for the Nagasondi tank presently known as the `Naga pokuna'. It's situated just under the summit of the mountain.

He also constructed the Mahinda tata tank at the foot of mountain.

The king also ordained that the statue of Ven. Mahinda Thera be carried in procession from its bund.

* AD 726-732 - Aggabodhi V

"At a cost of six and twenty thousand gold prices, restored whatever had fallen into decay on the cetiya-pabbata."

* AD 807-812 - Sena, the Queen of Dappula II (Udaya)

Is believed to have "built the Kantaka-cetiya on the Cetiya mountain" and the king himself "gave brightly coloured streamers as offerings" and "restored the vihara Giribhanda and granted maintenance villages to the bhikkus living there."

* AD 912-929 - Commander-in-Chief of Kassapa IV, named Sena

Built the Hadayunha Parivena and made it over to the Dhammaruicka bhikkus.

Facts:Courtesy Mihintale by John M. Senaviratna