Arahant Mahinda: He changed the culture of the country
Poson Full Moon Poya is important to Buddhists in Sri Lanka, as it commemorates the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Maha Thera, son and special emissary of Emperor Asoka of India. The Emperor wished to spread the Buddha Dhamma in nine other countries and chose to send his own son to Lanka as King Tissa of Anuradhapura was his friend. Although they had never seen each other, there were good diplomatic relations between them and when a delegation from Lanka went to meet the Emperor with gifts of gems and jewels, the Emperor had sent a message saying that he had embraced Buddhism and encouraged King Tissa too do so.
Although the Buddha had visited Lanka on three occasions, the Buddha Dhamma was not established in the country. His visits were to bring peace among two warring clans and between two royals, an uncle and nephew who fought over a jewelled throne. But the people in these areas where the Buddha visited would have been aware of the Buddha and his teachings – the Dhamma. It was only after the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Maha Thera, after 236 years of the Buddha’s parinibbana (passing away) as mentioned in historical chronicles, that Sri Lanka embraced Theravada Buddhism. Arahant Mahinda was accompanied by four other arahants – Ittiya, Uttiya, Sambala, Baddhasala, samanera (novice monk) Sumana and upasaka Bandhuka, a layman.
King Tissa was on a hunting trip on a Poson poya, chasing a deer when he heard his name being called. Wondering who could be so bold as to address the King by name, he was amazed to see a yellow clad figure on the Missaka rock. The Thera told the King of his mission. The Emperor’s earlier message came to his mind and the King dropped his bow and arrow.
The Thera wished to test the King’s intelligence before delivering the Dhamma to ascertain whether he would be able to understand the profound teachings of the Buddha. He chose two examples, one a mango tree and the other the footprint of an elephant and posed questions in the form of riddles. The quick-witted King answered to the Thera’s satisfaction. Thereafter, he discoursed on the Cullahatthipadopama Sutta (shorter elephant footprint simile) which was first delivered by the Buddha to Janussoni, a Brahmin and Vathsiyayana Pilotika, a paribrajaka (wandering medicant). After listening to the Dhamma, the king and his men, numbering about 40,000, embraced Buddhism. The king was very pious and came to be known as Devanam Piya (loved by Gods) Tissa.
The king invited Mahinda Thera and his entourage to visit his palace in Anuradhapura and offered dana (alms) the following day. However they returned to Mihintale the next day and lived in the caves made ready by the King.
On arrival in the island, the Thera observed that the people were worshipping large trees, rocks, fire, the sun and moon. They believed that there were gods in them and if they did not pay obeisance to them they would be punished. The Maha Thera did not change this system of worship at once, but introduced a gradual meaningful change – the lighting of lamps instead of fire worship, Bodhi tree worship (not just any other tree), instead of rocks the worship of Buddha images and chaityas. The pious king helped the Thera in every way he could to promote the Dhamma among his subjects who became knowledgeable and followed the Buddha Dhamma in a meaningful way.
The first ordination in Sri Lanka by the Maha Thera was of upasaka Bhanduka who had arrived with him from India. The Lankan who first entered the order of monks was Prince Arittha, the king’s nephew. With him, there were 500 others who were ordained to increase the Sangha (monks) fraternity.
Devanampiya Tissa ruled for 40 years and built many places of worship such as the Thuparama, Mahavihara and many monasteries, as well as the Tissa Wewa and Nuwara Wewa tanks to collect water to help the people in their agriculture.
The Buddha’s teachings revolve on the Four Noble Truths (Ariya Sacca). The teachings were of gradual development. The Buddha decided to whom and on what topic he should preach to make the individual understand his teachings. Mahinda Maha Thera too adopted this method of teaching the essence of Dhamma, the Four Noble Truths to the people of Lanka.
The Missaka rock
The Four Noble Truths
(Ariya Sacca):
- Dukka ariya sacca – suffering
- Dukka samudaya ariya sacca- cause of suffering
- Dukkha nirodha ariya sacca – cessation of suffering
- Dukanirodhagamini patipada ariya sacca – path leading to the cessation of suffering and the
Noble Eightfold Path
(Ariya Atthangika Magga):
- Samma ditthi –right view
- Samma sankappa – right thought
- Samma vacha - right speech
- Samma kammanta – right conduct
- Samma ajiva – right living/livelihood
- Samma vayama – right effort
- Samma sati - right mindfulness
- Samma samadhi – right concentration.
This is the path to Nibbana, the ultimate goal of a Buddhist to end his samsaric births.
Another important event that took place with the Thera’s visit was the invitation extended to his sister Theri Sanghamitta to bring a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree to the country and establish the order of nuns.
Arahant Mahinda came to Lanka at the age of 32 and passed away aged 80. He was the greatest missionary who changed the culture of the country through the teachings of the Buddha Dhamma.
Devotees throughout the country will observe the sacred Poson day on June 21, observing sil and meditating, with the main celebrations held in Mihintale and Anuradhapura.
Poson Poya also sees the end of the Upasampada (high ordination) season of monks which commences with Vesak Full Moon Poya.
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