Mahinda

Mahinda Biography

Mahinda (Mahindra in Sanskrit) was a propagator of Theravada Buddhism in Ceylon. He was the elder son of great emperor Ashoka and his first wife, Vidisha Devi, who herself was a believer of Buddhism. Along with his sister Sangamitra, he was the propagator of Buddhism in the country of Sri Lanka, then known by the name Ceylon. He was sent to Ceylon by Ashoka himself to ordain King Tissa and is subjects at Anuradhapura to be converted to Buddhism. The siblings played a significant role in establishing Buddhism in Sri Lanka. They spread the teachings of Buddha at the request of King Devanampiya Tissa, who was the ruler then.

Mahinda was born in the 3^rd Century BC and correct date of birth is still unknown. Ashoka named him Mahendra, meaning "conqueror of the world". He became a monk at the age of 20. After Kalinga war when Ashoka embraced Buddhism, he took enough steps to propagate Buddhism not only in India, but also across Asia and other parts of the world. He sent messengers to 9 kingdoms with the message to spread Buddhism. He sent his elder son Mahendra with the same purpose to Ceylon when the King Devanampiya Tissa accepted the proposal. It was a time when a religious instability and confusion existed in the kingdom, though high oppositions were there from Hindu Brahmins.

Mahendra himself established the Bhikkhu Order for men including the king Devanampiya Tissa. Later on his request, his younger sister also travelled to the country bringing sapling of the great Boddhi tree and ordained queen Anula and other women of Tissa's court at Anuradhapura. The siblings stayed in Ceylon, spreading the religion and its messages across the kingdom. Sri Lanka's two great religious chronicles - Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa are the primary sources of his life history. The books record Mahinda’s travel from India to Ceylon and his life later.

He is credited to introducing the culture of the Mauryan Empire to the island, and is also known as "the father of Sinhalese literature", following his translation and commentary for the Tripitaka in Sinhalese. His funeral stupa stays at Mihintale, the same mountain which is believed to be the site where he encountered the king. It’s a pilgrim place of Sri Lanka.

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Updated: December 26, 2015