Mihintalaya, this is the place where the world’s first “Intelligence Quotient” (IQ) test was conducted in document history.
Arahath Mahinda tera arrived to Sri Lanka June full moon day in the year 247 BC.
He was a son of Emperor Asoka in India. during that time Mihintale ruled by king Devanampiya Tissa 03rd Century BC.
Arahath Mahinda Tera arrived to Mintalale with other five monks and they met our king, after a brief discussion on the form of “Intelligence Quotient” Arahath Mahinda realized that the king may be able to understand the doctrine and then he preached Dharma. Afterward Mahinda Tera confirmed interduce Buddhism to our king. The king of the Devanampiya Tissa who listened to Buddhism embraced Buddhism. The king who embraced Buddhism, declared Sri Lanka is Buddhist country.
This is the turning point of Sinhala civilization and culture. After stablish Buddhism in island the people were ordination, after ordination Buddhist Monk it’s not mandatory to live with family as a result start Monastery complex to living for Monks and to practice the Buddhism.
Buddhism was the reason create a monastery complex. Consequently, first monastery complex created in Mihintale with 2,000 Buddhist monks.
What is the contain in monastery complex?
- The Boo tree. (World oldest tree in document history) – Ficus riligiosa.
- The Stupa
- The Image house of the Buddha
- Resident of the monks
- The hospital
- The chapter house
- The refectory
- The monks’ pools
What you can explore in Mihintale?
- Ancient Hospital
- The refectory
- Kantaka Chetiya
- Lion’s pond
- Cobra pond
- Black water pond
- Maha Saeya
- Mihindu Saya
- Ambastala Stupa