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.