Kanthaka Chathya, Mihinthale, Sri Lanka.

Kantaka Chethiya was renovated in 1930′s to the current status. When this stupa was discovered, it has been a just a mound of earth covered by various debris. This has been known as the Kiribadapavu Dagaba, Kiribat Vehera, or Giribhanda during this time. But a stone inscription found close by has identified the original name of this stupa as Kantaka Chethiya.

It is unknown who built this stupa but it is said that the King Lanjatissa (119-109 BC) has built a stone mantel built for this stupa. Therefore we can assume that the stupa was built prior to 119 BC. The present stupa is 425 feet in diameter and is about 40 feet high. This stupa is most popular for one of the most well preserved vahalkada which can be seen today.

http://amazinglanka.com/wp/kantaka-chethiya/

Mihinthale sights, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Sights at Mihinthale, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Sights at Mihinthale, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A mini-stupa made of baked bricks.

Stone pillars of the alms-hall.

A water conduit made from stone, the equivalent of a GI or plastic pipe of today.

Mihinthale sights, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

'Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka at Mihintale in 247 B.C. King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka, who was on a hunting expedition, became a disciple of Buddha after the Buddhist missionary Mahinda preached a sermon. He was followed by his queen, his ministers, officials and the people. Mihintale thus became historically and religiously significant, and ever since it annually attracts pilgrims during the June full moon to commemorate the official introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. To accommodate the lay and scholarly interest in Mihintale, both the sacred area and the town have undergone several phases of development, includ­ing a site museum. A rock inscription records the finest description of the running of a monastery in the 9th century A.D. It refers to the 200 or more serfs who assisted the religious congregation of 2,000. It also records the salaries paid to the physi­cian, the surgeons, the teachers, potters, cooks and other workers. The lay assistants were instructed to submit the list of expenditures once a week, a sum­mary of accounts at the end of each lunar month, and a balance sheet at the end of each year.

Refectory hall (left), stone inscriptions (above) and the relic chamber (below) at Mihintale where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Prince Mahinda, the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka, in 247 B.C.'

http://historyofmihinthale.blogspot.com

'Going green', a Power-point presentation.

Click on web-link below:-




http://youtu.be/3LiPSP2VshQ

The caves at Mihinthale, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Caves used by Buddhist Monks in ancient times.

Stone stairway leading to the 'Kanthaka Chaithya'.

‘In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihinthalawa was a thick jungle area inhibited by wild animals and was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. All this changed in 250 BC when the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka, Mahinda Maha Thero arrived at the Missaka Pauwa to meet king Devamnampiyatissa for the first time and asked the famous questions to decide whether he is intelligent enough to understand the philosophy of the Buddha. Initially Mahinda Maha Thero’s residence, but later Mihinthale became a main centre for Theravada Buddhism. Mihinthale is a collection of four mountains each about 1000 feet in height. They are 1.    Mihinthalawa 2.    Ath Vehera mountain 3.    Anaikutti mountain 4.    Rajagiri Lena mountain Mihinthalawa is the main mountain and where the Aradhana gala (The rock of invitation) and the main Mahaseya stupa is situated’.

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/heritagesl/mihinthalawa/mihinthale.htm

A flower seller at the beginning of the ascent to Mihinthale.