Advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera:

Archaeological evidence surfaces in Ampara

by Sirisaman Wijetunge

There are two rock inscriptions referring to the saint Mahinda; one of these rock inscriptions is at Rajagala in Ampara district and the other is in Mihintale.

The inscription from Rajagala with the name of the saint Mahinda stands out as the most important document as regards religion as well as history. It mentions Mahinda thera and Ittiya Thera that latter name being given as Idika. This becomes very important as the information in the chronicle regarding Mahinda Thera’s visit to Sri Lanka is corroborated by contemporary inscription.

In the record Mahinda Thera and Idika Thera are a introduced as Ima-dipa patamaya idiya agatana who came hereby the good fortune of this land. This refers to the historical anecdote regarding the immigration regarding the visit here of the missionary party led by the Arahat Mahinda.

As the name of the Thera Itthiya is mentioned it goes to prove that the theras Ittiya, Uttiya, Sombala, Baddasala mentioned in the chronicle did actually come here. It must also be mentioned that this record confirms that the ashes of Mahinda Thera were distributed among the viharas of Sri Lanka for entombment in stupas.

The Mahavamsa great chronicle is mentioned as follows: “The lord of earth (Uttiya King) had many ceremonies performed during the week and had a performed pyre built at the Baddhamalaka of theras in the eastern direction. He had the beautiful bier brought there circumbulating the (site of the) Great Stupa had it placed on the pyre and performed the last rite. Having got the relics collected, he caused a cetiya to be built there.

Taking half the relics the Ksatriya (King Uttiya) had Thupas built at chetiya - Pabbatha and also at all the monasteries. Mahavamsa - chap xx 42 - 47. As the script of the record of rock inscription of the Brahmi letters are belonged to the second century B.C.

It is clear that the stupa at Rajagala was completed not too long after the demise of Arahath Mahinda Maha Thera. Our attention is drawn to the archaeological evidence of the advent of Arahath Mahinda Thera to our land in the 3rd century B.C. This is confirmed by our ancient chronicles like Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa and the Samantha Pasadika.

As mentioned above here the rock inscription from Rajagala mentioned with the Brahmi script not only the name of Arahat Mahinda Thera Uttiya Thera - one of his companions but also of Arahat Mahinda Thera’s visiting to Sri Lanka. This valuable rock inscription was discovered and interpretated by Prof. Senarat Paranavitana, the former Archaeological Commissioner of Sri Lanka as follows:

“We have already pointed out that contents of these records are Buddhist in nature and that there is evidence in them to establish to Buddhism by early rulers of Ceylon was due to the influence of the Maurya Emperor Asoka. And this is what the chronicle narrated at great length.

The agreement of chronicles and our epigraph on this point is emphasized by Inscription No.468 (at Rajagala) making the site of a stupa in which were enshrined the ashes of Arahat Mahinda Thera together with those of UTTIYA THERA.

It is well known that Arahat Mahinda Thera was the missionary who arrived in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) from North India, to spread the teaching of the Buddha and Ittiya Thera who accompanied him to Ceylon. (SRI LANKA) Inscription of Ceylon Vol. 1 by Prof. Senarat Paranavitana 1970 Dept. of Archaeology - Pali). The rock inscription is Rajagala as follows:-

YEIMA DIPA PTAMAYA IDIYA AGATANA

IDIKA THERA MAHINDA THERAHA TUBE

The meaning of this Rajagala rock inscription is as follows:-

This is the Stupa of the Elder IDIKA and FLDER Mahinda who came to this land by its foremost good fortune.”

This Inscription record is consisted of two lines of writing in Brahami script of 3rd Century B.C. With regard to this Inscription, Prof. Senarat Paranavitana further said that the association of Arahat Mahinda Thera with Idika Thera mentioned in particular of their having come to CEYLON (Sri Lanka)

The rock inscription at Mihintale

The other archaeological evidence of the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera and those companions to Sri Lanka 3rd Century B.C. is situated at Mihintale.

Statues made of the Theras Mahinda, Ittiya, Uttiya and Baddasala are referred to in an inscription of Mahadhatika Mahanaga King (9-21 A.D.) at Mihintale. This is indicated on the bedrock on the right side of the upward climber, beside the steps leading to the upper terrace at the site. This inscription though not contemporary with Mahinda Thera is important as it refers to the making of statues of the above named Theras.

This also is an instance of the confirmation of the description of the matter connected with the missionary party of Mahinda Thera, mentioned in the chronicle by an inscription of the date close to the event. Basically the advent of Arahath Maha Mahinda and his companions to Sri Lanka is evident by the above two rock Inscriptions and the chronicles of our land.

The writer is the former Asst. Director of the Dept. of Archaeology and the Media Consultant of the Central Cultural Fund of the Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs.