Showing posts with label Mahawamsa.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahawamsa.. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Mihinthale, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

An old wall made of cut granite.

A water cistern made of stone.

A mango grove.

The story is told in the 'Mahawansa' the Pali Chronicle of the Kings of Sri Lanka, of an IQ test done on King Devanampiya Tissa, at this site which had a mango grove even in the 2nd Century BC. When the King passed the test conducted by the Venerable Thera Mahinda, he was considered fit to hear a preaching of the Buddha Dhamma (Buddhist Doctrine).

For the benefit of our readers, I quote Mahavamsa chapter XIV line 16:-
Arahat Mahinda – What is the name of this tree ?
King Devanampiyatissa – This tree is a mango tree.
AM – Is there yet another mango tree, besides this?
Are there any mango trees?
KD – Sir, there is this Mango tree
AM – Are there besides the other mango trees, which are not mango trees, yet other trees?
KD – there is this mango tree.
AM – Thou, has shrewd not Ruler of men, has thou kingsfolk o' king?
KD – There are many sir,
AM – Are there also some who are not thy kinsfolk?
KD – There are more of those than my kinsmen,
AM – Is there anyone besides the kingsfolk and others?
KD – There is myself
AM – Good, thus has gained shrewd wit’.