An important message of life was brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda Poson Poya Day

There is a turning point for the better in every country’s history, which decides the long term stability of its place in the workings of the world. The day Arahat Mahinda visited Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, in Anuradhapura , to teach him the message of Dhamma was a turning point in the history of Sri Lanka. With the king accepting the word of Buddha and  becoming a Buddhist, Buddhism became the main religion of the country. With this , Sri Lanka became a buddhist country and a new way of life was introduced to the locals. Along with the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, a number of cultural and religious changes were introduced to the general way of life of the people.  We celebrate the Poson Poya day to commemorate this day, when a new religion and a new way of life was introduced to us. 

Words - Lakmini Wijemanne

Emperor Asoka of India, sent his son Arahat Mahinda (who was the crown prince) to Sri Lanka with the message of the Buddha,  as a result of his pledge to spread non-violence as far and wide as he possibly could.  Since then, Buddhism and Sri Lanka have always had strong ties. By sending his daughter again on a later date, with the sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India (the most sacred tree for the Buddhists for it is believed that under this tree The Bodhisatwa attained Enlightenment) , buddhistic ties between the two countries were cemented. 

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