Mihintale is part of a mountain peak in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the point of meeting between Mahinda, the Buddhist monk, who arrived from India and King Devanampiyatissa, where the formed preached the doctrine of Buddhism, which was the opening point of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Mihintale is now a hallowed part of the Buddhist philosophy, where pilgrims throng the site each year, in June. This is due to the fact that it is believed that Mahinda arrived from India on Poson Full Moon Poya day, which is in June. Mihintale is also home for many religion monuments and artifacts.
Emperor Ashoka of India was the father of Mahinda and the former clasped Buddhism when he was inspired by a young monk named “Nigrodha.” The King saw around him how many lives were lost by his hunger for power and resultant waging of war. He was inspired by the words of such a young monk and thus embraced Buddhism. King Ashoka was captivated by the preaching of this young monk that he renounced war. The King was influenced to spread the doctrine of peace, so that the destruction caused by him through his hunger for war would be neutralized.
By the King’s aforesaid actions, his son and daughter were ordained as Lord Buddha’s disciplines and were enlightened as Arahats. In his efforts to spread the message of peace, the King sent his son Mahinda to “Sinhale” as it was then known, which little island was ruled at that time by his good friend King Devanampiyatissa. Hence “Mahinda” was an exclusive Indian name in “Sinhale” and was thereafter commonly called “Mihindu.”
When translated into Sinhala Mihintale means the “Plateau of Mihindu.” One can view this plateau which is the top terrain upon a hill from where Arahat Mihindu was said to have called King Devanampiyatissa by his first name to prevent him from shooting a deer. This brings the name “Mihintale” to be a Sinhala name.
