When Lanka first received blessings of Triple Gem
Prof. R.N. De Fonseka, Emeritus Professor Botany,
University of Colombo
Sri Lanka is blessed with several mountain or mountain ranges; Sri
Pada Piduruthalagala and the Knuckles Range are just few of them. Some
mountains are associated with deities and other supernatural beings
hovering above the clouds and these have being the admiration of humans.
Missaka Pabbata in Mihintale is about 16 kilometres to the east of
Anuradhapura which was the capital of the island for over 1000 and 500
years since the fourth century before Christ is such a mountain
considered to be the abodes of gods.
After the Buddha’s Parinibbana (death), the Bhikkhus in and around
the State of Bihar met to codify the teachings. The monks took the
teachings of the Master throughout India. Further with the patronage of
great Emperor Asoka several able and knowledgeable Bhikkhus went to
several countries carrying the message of the Enlightened One and the
Buddhist culture.
According to legend the mountain of Missaka Pabbata was sanctified by
the Buddha three centuries before the advent of Arahath Mahinda.
Although the Buddha is supposed to have visited this country thrice,
Ven. H. Sumanagala Thera states, that Buddhism was not introduced to
Ceylon till about 250 years after the demise of the Great Teacher.
A vast expansion of Buddhism took place during the regime of Emperor
Asoka (266-239 BC), whom H.G. Wells calls “One of the greatest monarchs
of history”.
Emperor Ashoka’s son was Mahinda. This according to Hindu and
Buddhist mythology it is derived from the Indian name Mahendra meaning
great India, Lord of Heaven.
Accompanied by a few Bhikkhus Arahath Mahinda arrived in Ceylon.
They saw King Devanampiyatissa (who the Mahavansa describes as the
foremost among all his brothers in virtue and intelligence) who had with
party was deer hunting, the favourite sport of the King. Arahath Mahinda
arrested the Kings attention saying “Tissa”.
The King was terrified that somebody was addressing him as Tissa. He
looked around and saw Arahath Mahinda with his retinue.
Arahath Mahinda said, “O great king we are disciples of the King of
Truth. From compassion towards thee we come from Jambudeepa.”
After a series of questions that Arahath Mahinda asked Tissa which
historians, consider the first recorded intelligent test in history.
Arahath Mahinda had the following message for King Devanampiyatissa,
“O great king the birds of the air and the beasts have an equal right to
live and move about in any part of the land as thou.
The land belongs to the people and to all other beings and thou are
only the guardian. He added that the Buddhist ruler is called upon to
provide not only for the security of the people but assure safe living
for the birds and beasts of the land. But where do the birds and beast
live if not in the jungles, forests and waters.”
A short discourse took place and Arahath Mahinda preached the
Chullahasthipadopama Sutta to the king and his retinue, hearing which
they all sought the refuge of the Three Jewels or the Triratne, the
Buddha the teacher, the Dhamma, the teachings and the Sangha is the
Buddhist order founded by the Buddha.
Taking refuge means that a Buddhist declares his reliance in these
three things for release from the sufferings inherent in life. The three
jewels (triratne) are central to Buddhism and are the cornerstones of
Buddhism.
Mahinda’s Mission was a tremendous success bringing not only the
Buddhist religion, but also the Buddhist culture. Buddhism became a
State religion at a much later stage. To act against Buddhism was
regarded as treason.
Prof. J.B. Dissanayake in his book on Mihintale states that since the
arrival of Arahanth Mahinda, the mountain came to be known as Mihintale,
plain of Mihidu, the Sinhala name of which the great apostle is known.
The mountain was also known as Cetiya Pabbata and Cetiya Giri,
Mountains of Cetiya’s Sacred Relics. Dissanayake adds “after the
conversion of the Sinhala king to Buddhism large numbers of men and
women from all walks of life left their homes to don the yellow robes.
The yellow robed Monks who dwelt on the hill sides of Mihintale were
committed to an ascetic way of life. Simple were their needs and austere
their discipline, with the begging bowl in hand they begged for food in
the neighbouring villages at the foot of the mountain. They possessed
only a couple of robes which they themselves washed.
The caves that provided them shelter from sun and rain are found
among the natural boulders that cover the hill sides.
A drip-ledge was cut along the brow to prevent rain water from
flowing into the cave. In the shade of these caves and sylvan boughs the
Monks spend their times in deep meditation.”
However the picture of Mihintale changed by about the eighth century.
There were monastic with assembly halls, refectories and danasala. A
Stupa was built at the sight where Arahath Mahinda met King
Devanampiyatissa and the Cullahasthipadopama Sutta was delivered. It is
here that Buddha Himself spent some time in meditation.
According to Ven. Gnanapala Thera of the Vajirarama Temple the Sacred
Cities had pleasure gardens.
The Sinhalese were well versed in horticulture, agriculture and
irrigation technology.
Beautiful public parks once adorned ancients cities for both kings
and commoner. Vast glades of forest reserves were maintained for the
protection of Monks and ascetics as well as for the protection of the
fauna. The Agni Purana States that trees provide endless joy to Gods,
Gandharvas, Asuras, Kinnars, Nagas, birds, animals and all human beings.
And long before the Westerns thought of ecological balances these
good practices had come down from ancient Aryan times, upto the Asokan
era.
Sri Lanka’s historical record shows that the first conservation park
was set up some 2000 years ago. Buddhism made Lanka more beautiful. The
chronicles and inscriptions contain numerous references to parks and
gardens. Special care was bestowed on growing of medicinal herbs.
Flowering plants were grown for offerings to the Buddha.
Fa-Hsien the Chinese Monk and traveller had come to hear the great
virtues of the Monks of Mihintale. |