The next great event after the arrival of Vijaya, is the arrival of Mahinda, which in turn paved the way for the advent of Buddhism. The Mahawamsa introduces Mahinda Thera as the son of the Great Emperor Asoka, who few years later accompanied his sister Theri Sangamitta with the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’, the holy Bo tree that gave shelter to Buddha to attain Nibbana. Appearing on top of Mihintale on a Poson Poya Day, when King Devanampiyatissa was hunting, the Arahat Mahinda preached to the king, the message of Universal Compassion. King Devanampiyatissa, his Queen and in time their people were converted. TheBo tree was planted at Anuradhapura, where it still grows as the oldest tree with a recorded history in the world. Sangamitta brought over the Buddhist nuns and the Bhikkuni system.
With the dawn of the second century BC, adventurers from across the Palk Strait had begun to settle down in the northern coast. One such intruder called Elara, became supreme in almost whole of the North and reigned from Anuradhapura. He was later challenged by the ruler Gemunu, son of King Kavantissa. Later this independent ruler, Gemunu of the South met in combat with Elara and the latter was killed. For the first time a single kingdom for the island arose.
Dutugemunu’s reign 161-137 BC saw the culmination of Buddhism. Monks were disciplined in Vinaya and was well versed in Tripitaka. Dutugemunu contributed immensely for the religion of Buddhism. With the death of Dutugemunu, Buddha’s prophecy had come to pass. The Anuradhapura Kingdom, which was built by Dutugemunu, lasted one thousand and five hundred years. In the second half of the first century, at Aluvihare, near Matale, in the region of Valagamba, the Buddha-world, and thePali canon was committed to writing.
Despite the intrusions and clashes of South Indian Chola, Pandyan and Pallava, there prevailed stability in the continuity of the Anuradhapura civilisation. Despite strong Mahayanist and Hindu influences the Theravada retained its integrity. Due to the strong diplomatic relations among the countries like Rome and China, in first century AD. Fa-Hsien visited Sri Lanka. And in seventh century, Hisuen T’sang regretted his failure of his attempt to reach Sri Lanka.
