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| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Mihintale - where Buddhism was born in Lanka Mihintale is a place that holds much significance to Buddhists especially during the month of Poson (June) as Buddhism is said to have been brought to Sri Lanka on a Poson Poya day and Mihintale was where it all began.
Leading to the top of the rock are 1840 granite steps. The bottom steps are wider and shallower while higher up, the steps get narrower and steeper.
You will also see Mahinda's Cave, where Arahath Mahinda is said to have lived, and a large flat stone, where he is said to have rested, until he died in 200BC during King Uththiya's reign. The Aradhana Gala or meditation rock is another site. Along the roadway leading to the steps are the ruins of an ancient hospital and other buildings. The hospital is believed to have consisted of many rooms. There is a beheth oruwa (medicine boat), the interior of which is carved in the shape of a human form, to facilitate a human to lie inside while being immersed in healing oils.
The museum also displays a replica of the interior of an eighth century dagoba, a ninth century gold-plated ola leaf manuscript, pottery fragments from China and Persia, bronze figurines and fragments of frescoes.
***** Dagobas of Mihintale Among the many dagobas at Mihintale, one of the largest is Mahaseya Dagoba, which is thought to house the sacred relics of Arahath Mahinda.
The first landing on the stairs leads to a partly ruined dagoba called Kantaka Chetiya, one of the oldest in Mihintale. This dagoba, thought to be about 30 metres high originally, is now only 12 metres high and the length around its base is 130 metres. Although who built it is doubtful, most believe it to have been built by either King Devanampiyatissa or King Surasena. The four vahalkades of the chetiya are among the oldest and best preserved in the country and the only ones to be found at Mihintale. Excavation on the dagoba began in 1934. Caves can be seen on the south of the dagoba and these are believed to have been meditation retreats for the many resident monks. What is thought to be the oldest inscription in Sri Lanka, predating Pali, is also found here. The Ambasthale Dagoba is built on the spot where Arahath Mahinda is said to have stood during his conversation with King Devanampiyatissa while the king's statue can be seen on the spot where he is said to have stood. A Buddha statue is also located closeby. There are stone pillars surrounding this dagoba which are believed to have supported a roof at one time. The Sela Chetiya which has a stone carving of the Buddha's footprint can also be seen in the vicinity. ***** Ponds Among the many ponds in Mihintale are the Sinha Pokuna, Naga Pokuna and Kaludiya Pokuna. The Sinha Pokuna (lion pond) is a small pool on the second landing on the stairs and is looked over by a two-metre tall lion. Water comes out of the mouth of this lion, which is believed to be one of the best animal carvings in the country. The Naga Pokuna (cobra pond) is thus named because of the five-headed cobra carved on the pond's rock surface. The cobra's tail is said to reach down to the bottom of the pond. The beautiful Kaludiya Pokuna (dark water pond) was artificially created to look real and features a bath-house carved from rock and the ruins of a small monastery. |
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The over 1080 foot high Mihintale rock is situated about 13 kilometres
east of Anuradhapura. It is on this rock that the historic meeting between
King Devanampiyatissa and Arahath Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka of
India, is said to have taken place in 247BC. This meeting led to the King
converting to Buddhism and the establishment and growth of Buddhism in our
country.
Among the many attractions for the visitor at Mihintale are the monks'
refectory (dining room) and relic house which is on the second landing on
the stairs. Here you will find two stone slabs which are known as the
Mihintale tablets, which are inscribed with rules laid down for the monks
and the servants of the monastery. These slabs are thought to have been
erected during King Mahinda IV's reign (975-991). The assembly hall for
monks is located closeby on the same level.
The nearby museum now houses the clay urns and grinding stones used to
store and prepare medicines, which had been discovered from the site.
There is a bo tree nearby, which is believed to be one of the oldest
trees. The small temple at the foot of this dagoba has a reclining Buddha
statue, modern frescoes and the statues of the gods Vishnu, Saman, Ganesh
and Skanda in a separate room (devala).
