Difference between revisions of "Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura"
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[[File:Devanampiya_Tissa.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Devanampiya_Tissa.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa (Sinhala:දේවානම්පිය තිස්ස) was one of the earliest rulers of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 307 BC to 267 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa. | + | [[Tissa]], later [[Devanampiya Tissa]] (Sinhala:දේවානම්පිය තිස්ස) was one of the earliest rulers of [[Sri Lanka]] based at the {{Wiki|ancient}} capital of [[Anuradhapura]] from 307 BC to 267 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka]] under the aegis of [[wikipedia:Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] [[Emperor Ashoka]]. The primary source for his reign is the [[Mahavamsa]], which in turn is based on the more {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Dipavamsa]]. |
Reign | Reign | ||
| − | Tissa was the second son of Mutasiva, king of Anuradhapura. The Mahavamsa describes him as being 'foremost among all his brothers in virtue and intelligence'. He ascended to the throne of the northern kingdom based at Anuradhapura sometime around 247 BCE. The majority of his subjects were Pagan, as they had been since the arrival of the first Sinhala colonists on the island around 300 years previously. | + | [[Tissa]] was the second son of [[Mutasiva]], [[king]] of [[Anuradhapura]]. The [[Mahavamsa]] describes him as being 'foremost among all his brothers in [[virtue]] and [[intelligence]]'. He ascended to the [[throne]] of the northern {{Wiki|kingdom}} based at [[Anuradhapura]] sometime around 247 BCE. The majority of his [[subjects]] were {{Wiki|Pagan}}, as they had been since the arrival of the first [[Sinhala]] colonists on the [[island]] around 300 years previously. |
| − | The Mahavamsa mentions an early friendship with Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Chapter IX of the chronicle mentions that '...the two monarchs, Devanampiyatissa and Dhammasoka, already had been friends a long time, though they had never seen each other', 'Dhammasoka' being an alternate way of saying 'Ashoka'. The chronicle also mentions Tissa sending gifts to the mighty emperor of the Maurya; in reply Ashoka sent not only gifts but also the news that he had converted to Buddhism, and a plea to Tissa to adopt the faith as well. The king does not appear to have done this at the time, instead adopting the moniker 'Devānaṃ-piya' ('Beloved of the Gods') and having himself consecrated King of Lanka in a lavish celebration. | + | The [[Mahavamsa]] mentions an early [[friendship]] with [[wikipedia:Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] [[Emperor Ashoka]]. [[Chapter]] IX of the chronicle mentions that '...the two monarchs, [[Devanampiyatissa]] and [[Dhammasoka]], already had been friends a long [[time]], though they had never seen each other', '[[Dhammasoka]]' being an alternate way of saying '[[Ashoka]]'. The chronicle also mentions [[Tissa]] sending gifts to the mighty [[emperor]] of the {{Wiki|Maurya}}; in reply [[Ashoka]] sent not only gifts but also the news that he had converted to [[Buddhism]], and a plea to [[Tissa]] to adopt the [[faith]] as well. The [[king]] does not appear to have done this at the [[time]], instead adopting the moniker 'Devānaṃ-piya' ('Beloved of the [[Gods]]') and having himself [[consecrated]] [[King]] of [[Lanka]] in a lavish celebration. |
[[File:Anuradhapura25.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Anuradhapura25.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Devanampiyatissa is traditionally said to have been succeeded by his younger brothers Uttiya and Mahasiva. His other brother King Mahanaga was the founder of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. | + | [[Devanampiyatissa]] is [[traditionally]] said to have been succeeded by his younger brothers [[Uttiya]] and [[Mahasiva]]. His other brother [[King]] [[Mahanaga]] was the founder of the {{Wiki|Kingdom}} of [[Wikipedia:Principality of Ruhuna|Ruhuna]]. |
| − | Conversion to Buddhism | + | [[Conversion]] to [[Buddhism]] |
| − | Mihintale, the traditional location of Devanampiya Tissa's conversion | + | [[Mihintale]], the [[traditional]] location of Devanampiya [[Tissa's]] [[conversion]] |
| − | Emperor Ashoka took a keen interest in the propagation of Buddhism across the known world, and it was decided that his son, Mahinda, would travel to Sri Lanka and attempt to convert the people there. The events surrounding Mahinda's arrival and meeting with the king form one of the most important legends of Sri Lankan history. | + | [[Emperor Ashoka]] took a keen [[interest]] in the [[propagation]] of [[Buddhism]] across the known [[world]], and it was decided that his son, [[Mahinda]], would travel to [[Sri Lanka]] and attempt to convert the [[people]] there. The events surrounding [[Mahinda's]] arrival and meeting with the [[king]] [[form]] one of the most important {{Wiki|legends}} of [[Sri Lankan]] history. |
| − | According to the Mahavamsa king Devanampiyatissa was out enjoying a hunt with some 40,000 of his soldiers near a mountain called Missaka. The date for this is traditionally associated with the full moon day of the month of Poson. | + | According to the [[Mahavamsa]] [[king]] [[Devanampiyatissa]] was out enjoying a hunt with some 40,000 of his soldiers near a mountain called [[Missaka]]. The date for this is [[traditionally]] associated with the [[full moon]] day of the month of Poson. |
| − | Having come to the foot of Missaka, Devanampiyatissa chased a stag into the thicket, and came across Mahinda (referred to with the honorific title Thera); amusingly the Mahavamsa has the great king 'terrified' and convinced that the Thera was in fact a 'yakka', or demon. However, Thera Mahinda declared that 'Recluses we are, O great King, disciples of the King of Dhamma (Buddha) Out of compassion for you alone have we come here from Jambudipa'. Devanampiyatissa recalled the news from his friend Ashoka and realised that these are missionaries sent from India. Thera Mahinda went on to preach to the king's company and preside over the king's conversion to Buddhism. | + | Having come to the foot of [[Missaka]], [[Devanampiyatissa]] chased a stag into the thicket, and came across [[Mahinda]] (referred to with the [[honorific title]] [[Thera]]); amusingly the [[Mahavamsa]] has the great [[king]] 'terrified' and convinced that the [[Thera]] was in fact a '[[yakka]]', or {{Wiki|demon}}. However, [[Thera Mahinda]] declared that 'Recluses we are, O great [[King]], [[disciples]] of the [[King]] of [[Dhamma]] ([[Buddha]]) Out of [[compassion]] for you alone have we come here from [[Jambudipa]]'. [[Devanampiyatissa]] recalled the news from his [[friend]] [[Ashoka]] and realised that these are [[missionaries]] sent from [[India]]. [[Thera Mahinda]] went on to {{Wiki|preach}} to the king's company and preside over the king's [[conversion]] to [[Buddhism]]. |
Notable locations | Notable locations | ||
| − | Thuparama in Anuradhapura, believed to have been constructed in Devanampiya Tissa's reign | + | [[Thuparama]] in [[Anuradhapura]], believed to have been [[constructed]] in Devanampiya [[Tissa's]] reign |
| − | Given the extremely early date of Devanampiyatissa's reign, the dearth of sources, and the impossibility of archeological inquiry due to current political instability, it is difficult to discern what impact this conversion had, in practical terms, on Devanampiyatissa's reign. For example whilst there are references to a Tissamahavihara and various other temples constructed by the king, none can be reliably located. | + | Given the extremely early date of [[Devanampiyatissa's]] reign, the dearth of sources, and the impossibility of {{Wiki|archeological}} inquiry due to current {{Wiki|political}} instability, it is difficult to discern what impact this [[conversion]] had, in {{Wiki|practical}} terms, on [[Devanampiyatissa's]] reign. For example whilst there are references to a Tissamahavihara and various other [[temples]] [[constructed]] by the [[king]], none can be reliably located. |
| − | What is fairly certain however is that the site of his initial meeting with Thera Mahinda is one of Sri Lanka's most sacred sites today, going by the name Mihintale. The sacred precinct features the Ambasthala, or 'Mango tree stupa', where the Thera Mahinda asked Mahinda a series of riddles to check his capacity for learning , the cave in which Thera Mahinda lived for over forty years, and the Maha Seya, wherein is contained a relic of the Buddha. | + | What is fairly certain however is that the site of his initial meeting with [[Thera Mahinda]] is one of [[Sri Lanka's]] most [[sacred]] sites today, going by the [[name]] [[Mihintale]]. The [[sacred]] precinct features the Ambasthala, or '[[Mango tree]] [[stupa]]', where the [[Thera Mahinda]] asked [[Mahinda]] a series of riddles to check his capacity for {{Wiki|learning}} , the {{Wiki|cave}} in which [[Thera Mahinda]] lived for over forty years, and the [[Maha]] Seya, wherein is contained a [[relic]] of the [[Buddha]]. |
| − | The other major site associated with Devanampiyatissa's reign is the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The tree was yet another of Emperor Ashoka's gifts to the island and was planted within the precincts of Anuradhapura, and is regarded as the oldest tree in the world. | + | The other major site associated with [[Devanampiyatissa's]] reign is the [[Sri Maha Bodhi]] in [[Anuradhapura]]. The [[tree]] was yet another of [[Emperor]] [[Ashoka's]] gifts to the [[island]] and was planted within the precincts of [[Anuradhapura]], and is regarded as the oldest [[tree]] in the [[world]]. |
Significance | Significance | ||
| − | Devanampiyatissa remains one of early Sri Lanka's most significant monarchs, given that his conversion to Buddhism set the kingdoms of the island down a religious and cultural route quite distinct from that of the subcontinent to the north. Later monarchs were to refer back to Devanampiyatissa's conversion as one of the cornerstones of the Anuradhapuran polity. The city itself was to remain capital of a powerful kingdom until the early Middle Ages, when it was eventually subsumed under the Chola invasion and then superseded by Polonnaruwa. | + | [[Devanampiyatissa]] remains one of early [[Sri Lanka's]] most significant monarchs, given that his [[conversion]] to [[Buddhism]] set the {{Wiki|kingdoms}} of the [[island]] down a [[religious]] and {{Wiki|cultural}} route quite {{Wiki|distinct}} from that of the subcontinent to the [[north]]. Later monarchs were to refer back to [[Devanampiyatissa's]] [[conversion]] as one of the cornerstones of the Anuradhapuran polity. The city itself was to remain capital of a powerful {{Wiki|kingdom}} until the early {{Wiki|Middle Ages}}, when it was eventually subsumed under the [[Chola]] invasion and then superseded by [[Polonnaruwa]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Theravada Buddhism]] | [[Category:Theravada Buddhism]] | ||
[[Category:Sri Lanka]] | [[Category:Sri Lanka]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:59, 24 February 2015
Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa (Sinhala:දේවානම්පිය තිස්ස) was one of the earliest rulers of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 307 BC to 267 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa.
Reign
Tissa was the second son of Mutasiva, king of Anuradhapura. The Mahavamsa describes him as being 'foremost among all his brothers in virtue and intelligence'. He ascended to the throne of the northern kingdom based at Anuradhapura sometime around 247 BCE. The majority of his subjects were Pagan, as they had been since the arrival of the first Sinhala colonists on the island around 300 years previously.
The Mahavamsa mentions an early friendship with Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Chapter IX of the chronicle mentions that '...the two monarchs, Devanampiyatissa and Dhammasoka, already had been friends a long time, though they had never seen each other', 'Dhammasoka' being an alternate way of saying 'Ashoka'. The chronicle also mentions Tissa sending gifts to the mighty emperor of the Maurya; in reply Ashoka sent not only gifts but also the news that he had converted to Buddhism, and a plea to Tissa to adopt the faith as well. The king does not appear to have done this at the time, instead adopting the moniker 'Devānaṃ-piya' ('Beloved of the Gods') and having himself consecrated King of Lanka in a lavish celebration.
Devanampiyatissa is traditionally said to have been succeeded by his younger brothers Uttiya and Mahasiva. His other brother King Mahanaga was the founder of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. Conversion to Buddhism Mihintale, the traditional location of Devanampiya Tissa's conversion
Emperor Ashoka took a keen interest in the propagation of Buddhism across the known world, and it was decided that his son, Mahinda, would travel to Sri Lanka and attempt to convert the people there. The events surrounding Mahinda's arrival and meeting with the king form one of the most important legends of Sri Lankan history.
According to the Mahavamsa king Devanampiyatissa was out enjoying a hunt with some 40,000 of his soldiers near a mountain called Missaka. The date for this is traditionally associated with the full moon day of the month of Poson.
Having come to the foot of Missaka, Devanampiyatissa chased a stag into the thicket, and came across Mahinda (referred to with the honorific title Thera); amusingly the Mahavamsa has the great king 'terrified' and convinced that the Thera was in fact a 'yakka', or demon. However, Thera Mahinda declared that 'Recluses we are, O great King, disciples of the King of Dhamma (Buddha) Out of compassion for you alone have we come here from Jambudipa'. Devanampiyatissa recalled the news from his friend Ashoka and realised that these are missionaries sent from India. Thera Mahinda went on to preach to the king's company and preside over the king's conversion to Buddhism. Notable locations Thuparama in Anuradhapura, believed to have been constructed in Devanampiya Tissa's reign
Given the extremely early date of Devanampiyatissa's reign, the dearth of sources, and the impossibility of archeological inquiry due to current political instability, it is difficult to discern what impact this conversion had, in practical terms, on Devanampiyatissa's reign. For example whilst there are references to a Tissamahavihara and various other temples constructed by the king, none can be reliably located.
What is fairly certain however is that the site of his initial meeting with Thera Mahinda is one of Sri Lanka's most sacred sites today, going by the name Mihintale. The sacred precinct features the Ambasthala, or 'Mango tree stupa', where the Thera Mahinda asked Mahinda a series of riddles to check his capacity for learning , the cave in which Thera Mahinda lived for over forty years, and the Maha Seya, wherein is contained a relic of the Buddha.
The other major site associated with Devanampiyatissa's reign is the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The tree was yet another of Emperor Ashoka's gifts to the island and was planted within the precincts of Anuradhapura, and is regarded as the oldest tree in the world. Significance
Devanampiyatissa remains one of early Sri Lanka's most significant monarchs, given that his conversion to Buddhism set the kingdoms of the island down a religious and cultural route quite distinct from that of the subcontinent to the north. Later monarchs were to refer back to Devanampiyatissa's conversion as one of the cornerstones of the Anuradhapuran polity. The city itself was to remain capital of a powerful kingdom until the early Middle Ages, when it was eventually subsumed under the Chola invasion and then superseded by Polonnaruwa.
