1 post tagged “king”

It was in 306 BCE that Buddhism first came to Sri Lanka from India when the missionary monk, Arahat Mahinda was sent by Emperor Ashoka to convey Buddha’s message to his colleague, the Sri Lankan King,  Devanampiya Tissa.

The monk, on arrival in the island’s capital city Anuradhapura, came upon the kind hunting deer in the royal hunting preserve. Stopping the king in his tracks, the monk spoke to him about the Buddha’s teachings – which among other concepts, emphasizes the sanctity of all living beings. He also informed the king that all mammals, birds and other creatures should enjoy the same right as his people to live in the land. “The Land,” said Mahinda, “belongs to all the people and animals. The king is only its guardian and not its owner.” Impressed by the monk’s words, the king converted to Buddhism.