The gift of Dhamma from Jambudipa
by Ganga RATNAYAKE
Poson full moon Poya day commemorates the historical event of the
arrival of Arhat Mahinda Thera from Jambudipa (India) to Sri Lanka more
than 23 centuries ago. Arhat Mahinda Thera was sent by the Emperor
Dharmashoka to establish the Bhikkhu Sasana (Order of Bhikkhus) in Sri
Lanka, along with the sublime gift of Dhamma (doctrines of the Buddha)
to his unseen friend King Devanampiyatissa.
In the history of mankind there is no other king who has committed
himself as much as Emperor Asoka towards establishing Buddhism firmly
and disseminating the wisdom of Dhamma to other parts of the world. But
not long ago he was a ruthless ruler known by Chandashoka, who killed
many people in battles.
He fought with other nations for the greed of power and expanding
territory to become an emperor. But no matter how many battles he won or
how many lands he conquered, he began to feel the emptiness and
hopelessness of life. Life became meaningless, and he was overwhelmed
with nightmares of the countless who had been killed.
He was engulfed in remorse and guilt until one day he saw through the
window a radiant figure peacefully strolling in the street.
Nigrodha Samanera
It was a sight that brought instant peace to the mind of the grieving
Asoka and so he at once summoned the radiant figure to his palace.
He was Nigrodha - a 12-year-old Samanera (novice bhikkhu) and a
disciple of Moggaliputta Tissa Maha Thera. Emperor Asoka requested him
to take a seat and after looking around the little Nigrodha Samanera
comfortably sat on the emperor’s throne.
Surprised yet not irritated, the emperor questioned the Samanera how
he attained such a radiant appearance and peaceful demeanour. Nigrodha
Samanera was no ordinary bhikkhu, for he had already attained arhathood.
He understood the torment of the great emperor as much as his wisdom to
comprehend the value of the Dhamma. Nigrodha Samanera preached ‘Appamada
Vagga’ to the emperor and thus relieved him from the great suffering.
Fostering Buddhism
After becoming a devout Buddhist, Emperor Asoka worked tirelessly to
foster Buddhism throughout the subcontinent of India. He built
monasteries and stupas, hospitals, gardens as well as monuments to mark
the historical sites relating to the life of the Buddha.
It was during Emperor Asoka’s time, under the guidance of
Moggaliputta Tissa Maha Thera, the third Buddhist Council (Dhamma
Sangayanawa) was held.
As time passed the emperor became widely renowned as the pious Asoka
or Dharmashoka.
On the emperor’s request Moggaliputta Tissa Maha Thera ordained
Asoka’s son – Prince Mahinda and daughter – Princess Sangamitta. Both
Mahinda Thera and Sangamitta Theri eventually attained arhathood.
Arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera
Emperor Dharmashoka sent his emissaries throughout his empire and
across the world to disseminate the message of the Dhamma.
It was then he sent to his unseen friend, King Devanampiya Tissa, the
best gift he could ever give.
The two rulers, hadbeen corresponding through messengers and
exchanging gifts for sometime.
And through the messenger called Aritta the Emperor Ashoka sent a
message, “I have taken refuge in the Triple Gem and you may follow
suit.” King Devanampiya Tissa knew nothing of the Triple Gem, but he
eagerly waited for this new kind of gift. Yet the gift arrived in a more
surprising manner on a Poson full moon Poya day in 306 BC.
Missaka Pabbata is a rocky peak with a flat summit about 300 metres
in height eight miles east of the ancient capital Anuradhapura.
The peak stood gallantly surrounded by the greenery overlooking King
Devanampiya Tissa and his retinue who were on a hunt.
The king was chasing a deer and he ended up at the foot of the peak.
As he aimed his arrow at the deer, he heard someone calling out his name
thrice.
No one in the kingdom had the power or authority to call a king by
his name. King Devanampiya Tissa looked around and then looked up and
saw the summit of Missaka Pabbata glowing in radiance.
There stood before him a figure in yellow robes emitting an aura of
the spectrum.
It was Arhat Mahinda Thera who was soon followed by his retinue of
four arhats, a Samanera and a lay person – who began to emerge behind
Arhat Mahinda Thera one by one.
They were Uttiya, Ittiya, Sambala, Bhaddasala, Sumana Samanera and
Upasaka Bandula. Sumana Samanera was the son of Princess Sangamitta
before she was ordained. The only lay person, Bandula, was in the state
of Anagami, the third stage out of the four stages of Nibbana
(Enlightenment).Arhat Mahinda Thera then introduced the envoy to the
bemused king as, “Samana mayan maharaja Dhamma rajassa savaka, tameva
anukampaya Jambudipa idha gata”
“We are the disciples, O! King of the King of Righteousness, with
compassion to thee have come hither from the Jambudhipa.”
Intelligence quiz
The king tossed away the bow and arrow and knelt beside a mango tree
and was ready to accept the sublime gift of Dhamma sent by his unseen
friend in Jambudipa.
But Arhat Mahinda Thera wanted to test the intelligence of the king
first. Thus the Thera began his questioning based on their surrounding.
The first round of quiz was about trees, as the Thera asked the king
to name the tree next to him. He easily answered, it was a mango tree.
Then the Thera asked, “Are there any other mango trees besides this?”
The king replied, “Indeed, there are many mango trees.”
Mango trees
The Thera then questioned, whether there are any other trees besides
this mango tree and other mango trees.
The king replied that there are many, which are not mango trees.
Finally the Thera questioned, “Besides those mango trees and trees
which are not mango trees, are there any trees?” And the king calmly
answered “Indeed there is this mango tree”, pointing to the mango tree
beside him.
The second quiz was similar to the first but was about people, and it
began from the king himself. The clever and accurate answers of the king
thus proved his intelligence.
Then Arhat Mahinda Thera preached the ‘Chulla Hatti Padopama Sutta’
to the king and his followers who joined him later. Following the
preaching, the king and his retinue took refuge in the noble Triple Gem
– Buddha, Dhamma (doctrines) and Sangha (disciples of the Buddha).
Order of Bhikkhus
Sri Lanka is blessed thrice by the visit of the Buddha.
And thus Buddhism was already known to the island. Hence the aim of
Arhat Mahinda Thera was to firmly establish the Dhamma and the Bhikkhu
Sasana (order of the Buddhist monks).
In the following days the Thera preached a number of suttas (Dhamma
discourses) where the king and his followers as well as women led by
Queen Anula eventually attained the Sotapanna state, the first stage out
of four stages of Nibbana.
As she and her retinue wished to be ordained, King Devanampiya Tissa
sent an envoy to Emperor Dharmasoka requesting to send Arhat Sangamitta
with a sapling from the sacred Bodhi Tree (where the Buddha attained
Enlightenment) at Bodh Gaya, India.
About 50 including the nephew of King Devanampiya Tissa, were
ordained by Arhat Mahinda Thera and they all attained arhathood. This
marked the establishment of the Bhikkhu Sasana in Sri Lanka.
Sacred Bo sapling
Six months later on Unduvap full moon Poya day, Arhat Sangamitta
Theri arrived with the sacred Bo sapling and established the Bhikkuni
Sasana (Order of the Buddhist nuns).The sacred Bo sapling was planted in
Mahameghavana Grove (Mahamevna Uyana) in Anuradhapura.
Even after 23 centuries Buddhism is still firm and strong in this
small island where a multitude of religions and races thrive.
Hence on this Poson Poya day let us commemorate the arrival of Arhat
Mahinda Thera and the gift of the Dhamma he brought.
The conviction of Dhamma should be obtained through one’s efforts to
understand Dhamma itself. The Dhamma should be practised regularly
throughout one’s life. Thus it helps the betterment of oneself as much
as the betterment of one’s country.
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