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’.