Tissa , later Devanampiya Tissa ( Sinhala : දේවානම්පිය තිස්ස , lit. 'Loved by Gods', [ˈdeːʋaːnampiyə t̪issə] ), also known as Devanape Tis ( Sinhala : දෙවනපෑ තිස් , [ˈdeʋənəpǣ t̪is] ), was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura . According to the traditional chronology , he ruled from 307 BC to 267 BC, but the modified chronology adopted by modern scholars such as Wilhelm Geiger assigns his reign to 247 BC to 207 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great . The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa , which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa .
19-488: Tissa was the second son of Mutasiva of Anuradhapura . The Mahavamsa describes him as being "foremost among all his brothers in virtue and intelligence". The Mahavamsa mentions an early friendship with Ashoka. Chapter IX of the chronicle mentions that "the two monarchs, Devanampiyatissa and Dharmasoka, already had been friends a long time, though they had never seen each other", Dharmasoka being an alternate name for Ashoka . The chronicle also mentions Tissa sending gifts to
38-484: 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 Thera Mahinda asked the king a series of riddles to check his capacity for learning,
57-487: A long time, though they had never seen each other", Dharmasoka being an alternate name for 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 name Devānaṃpiya "Beloved of
76-805: Is a major irrigation tank even today and is an essential resource for farmers in Anuradhapura. Archived 2007-11-09 at the Wayback Machine The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka Mutasiva of Anuradhapura Mutasiva ( Sinhala : මුටසීව , [muʈəsi:ʋə] ) was ruler of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura . He ruled from 367 BC to 307 BC. He had ten sons, some of whom were his successors such Devanampiya Tissa , Uttiya , Mahasiva , Suratissa and Asela . Mutasiva
95-461: 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 Thera Mahinda asked the king 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
114-549: The Buddha. The other major site associated with Devanampiyatissa's reign is the planting of 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 human planted tree in the world. Devanampiyatissa built Tissa Wewa, which covers 550 acres. The embankment alone is 2 miles long and 25 feet high. It
133-533: 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 Mahanaga, Prince of Ruhuna was the founder of the Principality of Ruhuna . Emperor Ashoka took a keen interest in the propagation of Buddhism across the known world. According to Sri Lankan tradition, it
152-570: The Great . The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa , which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa . Tissa was the second son of Mutasiva of Anuradhapura . The Mahavamsa describes him as being "foremost among all his brothers in virtue and intelligence". The Mahavamsa mentions an early friendship with Ashoka. Chapter IX of the chronicle mentions that "the two monarchs, Devanampiyatissa and Dharmasoka, already had been friends
171-587: The Mahavamsa King Devanampiyatissa was out enjoying a hunt with some 40,000 of his soldiers near a mountain called Mihintale . 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); the Mahavamsa has the great king 'terrified' and convinced that
190-515: 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
209-414: 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 planting of 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 human planted tree in
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#1732773075081228-515: 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); 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
247-407: The king's conversion to Buddhism. Given the extremely early date of Devanampiyatissa's reign and the dearth of sources, 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
266-520: 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 name Devānaṃpiya "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 Mahanaga, Prince of Ruhuna
285-436: 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. Given the extremely early date of Devanampiyatissa's reign and the dearth of sources, it is difficult to discern what impact this conversion had, in practical terms, on Devanampiyatissa's reign. For example, whilst there are references to
304-427: 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 Mihintale . The date for this is traditionally associated with
323-497: Was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura . According to the traditional chronology , he ruled from 307 BC to 267 BC, but the modified chronology adopted by modern scholars such as Wilhelm Geiger assigns his reign to 247 BC to 207 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka
342-429: Was the founder of the Principality of Ruhuna . Emperor Ashoka took a keen interest in the propagation of Buddhism across the known world. According to Sri Lankan tradition, 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
361-618: Was the son of King Pandukabhaya . The king ruled for sixty years which was an unbroken peaceful era of the country. He was the creator of Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura which is the only historical record of his accomplishments. This Sri Lankan history -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura Tissa , later Devanampiya Tissa ( Sinhala : දේවානම්පිය තිස්ස , lit. 'Loved by Gods', [ˈdeːʋaːnampiyə t̪issə] ), also known as Devanape Tis ( Sinhala : දෙවනපෑ තිස් , [ˈdeʋənəpǣ t̪is] ),
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