Do you recall learning about the Maurya Dynasty Chapter as a child? We are all aware that the chapter concluded with “King Ashoka renounce war to follow and spread Buddhism after the Kalinga War.” Have you ever wondered how he did it? He did this through his kids who were ordained as Buddhist monastics and became enlightened Arahats (In Buddhism, one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana). His son, Mahinda inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka on Mihintale, a mountain peak. Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India and met King Devanampiyatissa to preach the Buddhist Doctrine. The traditional spot of their meeting, the Mihintale, is valued by Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura. It is a pilgrimage site that consists of spiritual memorials and uninhibited structures. These structures include a hospital, the Kantaka Chetiya, the Refectory, the Ambasthala Dagoba, the cave of Arahat Mahinda, the Maha Stupa, Mihintale Buddha Statue, Aradhana Gala also known as the Mihintale Rock, Kaludiya Pokuna, Naga Pokuna and Singha Pokuna.
The ruins of an old monastery may be seen at the base, followed by many sets of wide, shallow stone stairs. These lead to a semi-open, sandy plateau lined with trees known as Ambastale Terrace. Various ruins flank the path to the vast terrace, which houses a gigantic, dazzling white stupa and a Buddha statue, as well as the short, but physically demanding, stairs leading to Mihintale Rock.
The Hospital
At the lowest point of the mountain, there are remnants of a hospital, a medical bath (or stone boat in which patients were bathed in therapeutic oil), a stone inscription, and ancient urns. Between the hospital and the steps leading to the cliff, there are the remnants of a massive monastery. The oldest known hospital in Sri Lanka demonstrates some of the principles of biophilic design and its influence on rehabilitation. The historic hospital featured a central courtyard and patient rooms with direct access to the internal courtyard and exteriors, providing maximum exposure to nature, which is uncommon in modern therapeutic environments.
The stairway has 1840 stone steps that ascend to the peak. A tiny mountain peak may be found at the end of the first set of steps on the right side of the plain. Over here is located the most famous Kantaka Chetiya.
Kantaka Chetiya
Kantaka Chetiya is a round stupa with a base circumference of approximately 425 feet. It features three stepped rims. It comprises four frontispieces representing the four cardinal directions. The frontispiece is named Vaahalkada. All of the Vaahalkadas are adorned with figurines of dwarfs, animals, people, sacred figures, and floral designs. The elephant-headed God with two arms is one of Kantaka Chethiya Vaahalkada’s most notable sculptures. The Saivites refer to it as Ganapati or Ganeesaa.
The four vahaalkadas facing the four cardinal points have distinct creatures on the tops of the square pillars: an elephant on the east, a lion on the north, a horse on the west, and a bull on the south. After much investigation, it was discovered that the four animals represent Lord Buddha, who is affiliated with the Four Noble Truths.
Sinhalese archaeologists and historians believe that King Suratissa erected this Stupa. The Pesavalalu and the frontispiece have been exceptionally well taken care of. The stupa’s ruins are 40 feet (12 meters) in height. The monks would have stayed in the caves around the stupa. The stupa was rebuilt by King Lajjitissa.
The Refectory
The Courtyard is located at the end of the third flight of stairs. The refectory is spaced on the left side of the courtyard. The quadrangle is 62 feet long and 25 feet wide, and it is encircled by a storeroom. In the center of the hall is a platform with four entrances. A portion of a pipeline was located here, it is reasonable to assume that a systematic and well-planned pipe-borne strategy was given. Two stone troughs can be seen here, which were used to keep food near the refectory.
The Mihintale stone inscriptions are two big granite slabs etched on either side of a building’s entryway. The monks’ meeting hall is located near another plain. The monks convened here to discuss the Dhamma and Vinaya.
Ardhana Gala or Mihintale Rock
This is the highest point one can reach on the temple grounds. Even in severely windy weather, pilgrims visit this rock, which has iron bars to aid them ascend. According to ancient literature such as the Mahavamsa, Mahinda traveled to Sri Lanka via air. He descended and arrived on top of the Aradhana Gala, where he met King Devanampiyatissa initially.
Ambasthala Dagoba
Ambasthala Dagoba is located on the plain near the mountain’s crest and is claimed to have been erected by King Makalantissa. The remains suggest that a home might have been erected around the stupa. The Dagoba is supposed to contain the relics of the renowned Apostle Mahinda. It is here that King Devanampiyatissa first met with Arahant Mahinda. The Ambasthala Dagoba marks the customary gathering location.
Maha Stupa
This large stupa known as the Maha Seya is on the summit of the Mihintale hill, built by King Mahadathika Mahanaga (7-19 AD) the base of which is 136 ft (41 m) in diameter. The stupa which was in a dilapidated condition was completely restored.
The Cave of Arahat Mahinda
When traveling from Ambastala dagoba down the small road, on the hillside lies the cave known as Mihindu Guhawa, or Arahant Mahinda’s cave, where he lived. This cave is the most well-known and, coincidentally, the most revered by Buddhists, with its flattened slab on which Thera Mahinda used to repose.
Naga Pokuna
Naga Pokuna means “Serpent Pond.” Its name originates from the representations of snakes with their hoods extended out in the backdrop; it is one of the most well-known ponds on the site. A series of steps leads from the western side of Ambasthalaya. When descending the steps, the Naga Pokuna is seen.
Mahavansa recalls a pond named Nagacatuska in connection with Thera Mahinda’s arrival in Sri Lanka. The chronicle also mentions that King Aggabodhi I (575-608 AD) created a pond called Nagasondi. Based on this knowledge, it is fair to believe that King Aggabodhi turned the natural pond known as Nagacatusca into a man-made pond. This pond, filled with rainwater, gives water to the Lion Pond, the Alms Hall, and the Mihintala monks’ daily requirements.
Mihintale is an in-depth look into Buddhist doctrines and Buddhist life in Sri Lanka. It is the birthplace of Buddhism in the country. Exploring such locations allows one to learn a lot about the life and lifestyles of the past. The old days had their mysterious allure that could absorb anybody in their simplicity.
Citation:
Claire (2024) Exploring mihintale – A guide to sri Lanka’s Sacred Site (2024), The Restless Beans. Available at: https://therestlessbeans.com/mihintale-sri-lanka/ (Accessed: 28 April 2024).
Mihintale (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihintale (Accessed: 28 April 2024).
vaamajoshi, A. (2015) History 03_ Mihintale Hospital (Sri Lanka, 9th century AD), vaamajoshi. Available at: https://vaamajoshi.wordpress.com/2015/08/24/history-03_-mihintale-hospital-sri-lanka-9th-century-ad/ (Accessed: 28 April 2024).
