The conversion of Tissa and the expansion of Buddhism

"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."
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by R. N. de Fonseka

(July 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Missaka Pabbata in Mihintale is about 16 kilometres to the east of Anuradhapura which was the capital of the island for over 1500 years since the 4th century BC and the mountain is considered to be the abode 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 many countries carrying with them 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 Arahat Mahinda.

Although the Buddha is supposed to have visited this country thrice, Rev. H. Sumangala 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 (268 - 239BC), 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 bhikkus Arahat Mahinda arrived in Ceylon. They saw king Devanampiyatissa (whom the Mahavamsa describes as the foremost among all his brothers, in virtue and intelligence) who with a 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 Arahat Mahinda with his retinue. Arahat Mahinda said, "O great king we are disciples of the king of truth. From compassion towards thee we come from Jambudipa." After a series of questions that Mahinda asked Tissa, which historians consider the first recorded intelligence test in history, 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 had 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 beasts live if not in the jungles, forests and waters?

A short discourse took place and Arahat Mahinda preached the Cula Hathipadopama 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, 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 Mahinda, the mountain came to be known as Mihintale — plain of Mihindu — the Sinhala name by which the great apostle is known.

The mountain was also known as Cetiya Pabbata and Cetiya Giri, mountains of Cetiyas of 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 spent their times in deep meditation.

However the picture of Mihintale changed and by about the eighth century there were monastic complexes with assembly halls, refectories and dansalas. A stupa was built at the site where Arahat Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa and the Cula Hatthipadopama Sutta was delivered. It is here that the Buddha himself spent some time in meditation.

According to Rev. Gnanapala 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 ancient 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 Westerners thought of ecological balance these good practices had come down from ancient Aryan times, up to 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 of the great virtues of the monks of Mihintale.

( The Writer is a Emeritus Professor of Botany in the University of Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian