Establishing Buddha’s Dhamma in Sri Lanka

Premasara Epasinghe

Buddhism will last as long as the sun and moon last and the human race exists upon earth, for it is the religion of man and of humanity as a whole, stated the great statesman former Prime Minister late S W R D Bandaranaike.

On this Poson week let us recall the greatest treasure that we inherited from our neighbour country, India. The city, Anuradhapura, whose antecedents can be traced to the 6th Century BC, spawned a novel culture based on Buddhism that made its advent in the 3rd Century BC.

The introduction of Buddhism changed the lifestyle of the people and thus began the Buddhist civilisation in Sri Lanka.

During the reign of Devanampiyatissa (237-277 BC), which spanned for 40 years. Buddhism took root firmly in Sri Lanka.

It was Emperor Asoka, one of the greatest kings in India, who despatched his own son Mahinda to Sri Lanka on Poson Day. He was totally responsible in establishing Buddha Dhamma in Sri Lanka.

Emperor Asoka was a great missionary. He sent many Buddhist missionaries to various places. Majjantika Thera proceeded to Kashmir - Elandara. Dharmarakshita was sent to Maharastra.

The two Buddhist monks were entrusted to spread the message of Lord Buddha, in Myanmar. But of all the provinces and countries, Emperor Asoka gave top priority in his missionary activity to Sri Lanka by sending his own son Arahant Mahendra (Mahinda) with Ishtiya, Uttiya, Shambala and Bhadrasala to Sri Lanka to establish Buddhism.

It was the festival season. King Devanampiyatissa, with a retinue of 40,000, went on a hunting expedition of Anuradhapura capital towards Missaka mountain in Mihintale.

The King was chasing a deer, around the corner of Missaka mountain, he was shocked to see a radiant human being calling him “Tissa” from the top of the mountain. The King, for a moment, could not believe someone addressing him in this manner, and wondered who this unusual being was.

Bhikkhu Mahinda, calm, cool and collected, introduced himself and his retinue in this manner.

“Samanamayan Maharaja
Dhammarajassa Savaka
Thameva Anukampaya
Jambudipa Udagatha”

“Honourable King!
We are Buddhist Monks,
Disciples of the Buddha,
Through compassion towards you,
We came from Jambudeepa [India].”

Arahath Mahinda and his noble companions, seven in all, after their arrival from India stood on Aradhanagala, Mihintale and uttered the above stanza. At first only Arahath Mahinda appeared and later the other six who arrived from India were sighted by the King. After exchanging pleasantries, Arahath Mahinda stated that Buddhism has been deeply rooted in India.

Buddhism is not only a religion, it is a philosophy and a way of life. It does not believe in a creation of God. Mind is important. To follow Buddhists’ principles, the individual must be intelligent.

Arahath Mahinda posed a few questions to Tissa, and tested whether he was intelligent enough to understand what Buddhism meant. This brief question-and-answer discussion can be considered as the first intelligence test recorded in the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle.

As the news spread about the new Philosophy, many were the requests by the lay devotees to follow the new religion.

The first sermon of Arahath Mahinda, Chullahattipadopama Sutta , was delivered for the benefit of this large gathering.

It is accepted without doubt that Buddhism was a great blessing to all aspects of life in Sri Lanka. Under the guidance of the rulers and other leaders, it pervaded all levels of human activity in the country.

Not only was it accepted as a formal religion, but, on the basis of its main principles Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Uppekka, all activities, social, economical, cultural and personal took a more humanitarian view point in dealing with the total environment.

Buddhism was the springboard from which all aspects of personal life, communicating and dealing with other human beings, retirement in the ‘Art of Living’ flourished.

People, who lived through the harmful means for example hunting, gave up their weapons, changed their whole lifestyles and took up the plough as the main means of livelihood.

In addition, their leisure time was occupied in religious activities. This change in time resulted in the building of large tanks and resplendent Dagobas, while the economy was enriched by the green paddy fields that spread around as far as the eye could see.

In today’s context, let us dedicate ourselves to follow in the footsteps of our forefathers, who embraced Buddhism as their religion, caring for all former life. May this Sacred Day Poson, be the blessing of the lasting peace that will bring happiness and contentment to all of us, irrespective of caste, creed or race.

Another lesson, we must learn, while retaining cordial relationship with all, is to ensure that we are at self-sufficiency as in the good old days of our rulers. Buddhism brought the people of Sri Lanka other rich dividends too.

Refinement in architecture, beautiful statues, monuments, formal art of writing, and high level of literature can be considered as some of the lasting influences of Buddhism.

It is indisputable that Sri Lanka’s stature as an independence peace-loving country had its birth, with the Introduction of Theravada Buddhism on the sacred Poson Poya Day. We are indeed proud to claim, that the most stable foundation of Theravada Buddhism lies in this thrice blessed land of Sri Lanka.

The most significant contribution to our peace-loving ways of life commenced under the guidance of our revered Maha Sangha, who were responsible in moulding the character of our people. They used the five basis precepts - refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxicants as a code of conduct to discipline people.

On the request of the women folk of Sri Lanka, to be ordained as Buddhist Nuns, the Arahat Mahinda sent for his sister Sanghamitta. She arrived with the lasting gift of King Asoka, the sapling of the sacred Bo Tree, under which Buddha attained the Supreme Bliss of Enlightenment.

It is said to be one of the oldest trees in the world as flourished to this day at Anuradhapura, our most sacred city.

May all beings be content and happy, leading to lasting peace in this our beloved Motherland.