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by Nemsiri Mutukumara

Theri Sanghamitta, the daughter of Jambudipa Emperor Asoka is recognised and wholeheartedly accepted as the liberator of women of Lanka.

At her prime young age of twenty - she an Arhat bhikkhuni consented and magnificently responded to accept the invitation of Lanka's reigning monarch King Devanampiya Tissa and her brother Arhat Bhikkhu Mahinda who had already arrived in Lanka and established the Bhikkhu Sangha.

King Devanampiya Tissa chose his own nephew Minister Arittha as the loyal emissary to the Court at Pataliputra.

"When he (Arittha) received the command of Thera and the King and had taken his leave he set forth on the second day of the bright half of the month of Assayuja ..... (Mahavamsa: Ch: XVIII V.6:7:8).

Now 2311 years after the historic event which gave birth to a series of unprecedented history-making performances, modern women of Sri Lanka are discussing the possibility of getting "a day declared as the National Day of Buddhists Women."

For the past 2311 years in the fitness of things people led by the Royalty and the nobles, celebrated the Unduvap Pasalosvaka Poya day - the full moon day in the month of December taking out processions illustrating Theri Sanghamitta bringing the Southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi from Buddha Gaya.

However the intentions and hopes of the perahera organisers are excellent and praiseworthy, several most important aspects of the whole subject has either been omitted or undone due to total ignorance of the history of Theri Sanghamitta's visit.

In the first place, the Sacred Bodhi putting forth, tender and nurtured leaves on all four directions was planted with extreme care in a golden receptacle eight cubits high. Regrettably, Theri Sanghamitta is shown carrying on her hands a black-patra-an alms bowl.

Secondly, Buddhist women pay their homage to Theri Sanghamitta on the Unduvap Pasalosvaka day in divers ways. The observance and the practice of dana-sila-bhavana, providing meals to the needy, organising Bodhi Puja in the village Vihara.

In many a vihara and Buddhist centre, special time slots have been set apart to discuss the life-long Sasana Seva performed for the welfare and benefit of people, particularly the women in all strata of life.Still, the relevance of the day has never been thought of simply, since, a poya day falls in the month, the day is considered as The Poya Day which is unacceptable and irrelevant.

Caused by over-enthusiasm of certain people such occurrences allowed to be continued, the younger generations will be reluctant to associate with the event - arrival of Theri Sanghamitta-all our people recognise as one of the four greatest historic events of Lanka.

They are: the visits of Sakyamuni Buddha; the arrival of Thera Mahinda; The bringing of the Southern branch of the Jayasiri Maha Bhody by Theri Sanghamitta; and the writing of the Teachings of the Buddha in Sinhala characters at Aloka Vihara near Matale. Besides, Theri Sanghamitta's history-making adventure-taking into considerations the problems the ecclesiastical mission had to confront in the mighty ocean - is certainly an organised, dedicated commitment and not an isolated visit.

In as much the same manner, todays women must prepare themselves to honour the Greatest of the Great Ladies set foot in Lanka in a befitting way.

Before proceeding to the colourful receptions and pujas offered when the ships reached the Jambukola Pattinam (Dambakola Patuna) in the North and the Perahera reached the capital in Anuradhapura after several weeks.

As miracles are associated in almost all religions - some unknown, unheard and unseen - miraculous events in the Buddha Sasana have been visible, felt and tangible.

The Bodhi Tree had put forth eight shoots after the arrival in Jambukola.

These eight shoots were planted at Jambukola, in the village of Tivakka the Brahmin, at the Thuparama, at Isurumuniya, in the court of the Pathama Cetiya, in the Cetiya Pabbata Arama, in Kataragama and in Candanagama. Thirty-two saplings which sprang up from later fruits, were planted in a circle at a distance of a yojana, here and there in Viharas.

Until the bringing of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Sakyamuni Buddha from the king of Kalinga by Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala to be presented to King Kirti Sri Meghavarna (Kit Siri Mevan) the Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi was the palladium of the ruler.

As mentioned earlier, a series of events took place with Theri Sanghamitta causing eleven residences built around the Hatthalaka Upasikaramaya where the Great Theri resided with her eleven Bhikkhunis.

Three buildings Theri Sanghamitta chose to keep the mast of the ship that ..... Three buildings Theri Sanghamitta chose to keep the mast of the ship that brought the Bodhi; the second building housed the rudder and the third building the helm.

Protecting the three very valuable parts of the ship in three different buildings marked for the first time the establishing of museums to protect for posterity valuable treasures. Everybody in this country can lay claim to be the first in the world which cannot be disputed - to open museums.

By now, Princess Anula with her following had already become Samaneris - ten Preceptors - shaven headed and draped in saffron robes waiting for pabbajja from Theri Sanghamitta.

Having fulfilled his mission, Prince Arittha was waiting to receive pabbajja from Thera Mahinda.

Within a few weeks after their pabbajja, Bhikkhuni Anuala and her following became Arhats. Theri Sanghamitta set the path clear as crystal teaching the Dhamma to the Upasika and the Bhikkhunis.

Referring to the bringing of the Bodhi, D. C. Vijayavardhana in "Revolt in the Temple" states (Pg. 566) ".... The Bo-tree under which the Buddha had attained Enlightenment made the Sinhalas to adopt tree-worship and give this cult, like other cults, which they absorbed a new interpretation.

The Buddhists venerated the Bo-tree not as a tree of wisdom or immortality but because the Buddha had shown His gratitude to it as His only helper and protector in the time immediately before His Enlightenment."

The Thera Mahinda - Theri Sanghamitta Mission - the Brother-Sister Mission - became a singular success. Firstly, Thera Mahinda had learnt the language of the people and was at home with them from the day of his arrival in Missaka mountain on the Poson Pasalosvaka day.

King Devamapiya Tissa and his people too, stood at ease in understanding and comprehending the Dhamma. The greatest contributory factor for the success of the Dhammaduta Carika was the life-long stay with the people.

Had Thera Mahinda and Theri Sanghamitta too adopted the same way - as the other Dharmadutas, Emperor Asoka despatched to many parts of the world one would be frightened to imagine the pathetic plight this country would have fallen into.

"Emperor Asoka made use of the channels of communication both commercial and diplomatic that had existed from the time of Candragupta, between India and the hellenistic kingdoms founded by Alexander's generals, to convey the treasures of Buddhism to the nations of the west ..... missionaries traversed the wide realms of Antiochos Theos, king of Syria and Western Asia and penetrated the dominions of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, those of his neighbour, king Magas of Cyrene, and even those of the European monarchs Alexander of Epirus, and Antigonos Gonatas of Macedonia."

Buddhist history of Mayanmar and Thailand have reference to dhammadutas Emperor Asoka despatched to those countries.

"In any case Asoka carried his propaganda far beyond the limits of his empire into Asia. Europe and Africa and his missions permanently determined the religious history of a large part of the world.

As far as the dharmadutas sent to Sinhaladipa are concerned, Thera Mahinda's mission consisted of four bhikkhus, one Samanera and a lay disciple while the theri Sanghamitta came with eleven Bhikkhunis.

They were the pioneer teachers and advisors of the people of Sinhaladipa.

With them, they, brought many features of Buddhist culture from Jambudipya which were easily assimilated by their pupils, upasikas and bhikkhunis.

The feminine duties of a woman as a girl, a young woman, an adult, a dutiful wife, a beloved mother, a responsible member of society were the first lessons indelibly imparted to the society which marked a remarkable change in the way of life of the people.

Theri Sanghamitta wherever she travelled was wholeheartedly and respectfully received as the liberator of our women.

Not only her own congregation, she became the beloved of the whole country.

To this day, all that Theri Sanghamitta imparted to a people stand in good stead enriching and enroling the way of life of the people of this country.

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