History of Lanka is said to go back to the time of
Buddha
Visiting the island long before the arrival of Thero Mahinda
Mahawamsa Deepawamsa Samantha Pasadika the three chronicles
Give an account of Buddha’s visit in detail
We had the good fortune of being blessed with the presence
Of the living Buddha not once but thrice
History is said to begin with the Buddha’s arrival
Having a strong tradition inspired by Buddhist ideals
Each visit of Buddha occupy the unique place
In history as one that brought peace, unity and solace
In pre-Mahinda era the greatest blessing to the island
Was Buddha’s first visit that emerged in this sacred mind
The most sanctified place he visited was Mahiyangana
Located on the banks of Mahaweli in the splendid park of Maha-Meghawana
In yellow robes, with a sudden and serene appearance
To say that tribes living there were subdued, there is evidence
Then he preached Dhamma to a gathering including Deva Maha Sumana
During which time he attained Sothapanna
For something to worship when the Deva Maha Sumana had begged
The Buddha gave a handful of hair from his head
It was enshrined in a stupa embedded with blue stones
And the first Dagoba was built to the height of seven riyanas
After parinibbhana the distribution of relics, the remaining
Neck-relic was enshrined in Dagoba with further raising
This time it was twelve riyanas and later thirty in height
Yet it was bot fully completed at sight
Finally, it was developed and reconstructed
By King Dutugemunu to whom we are greatly indebted
From the start Dagoba was said to have been built in stages
Until it was completed as a landmark gift to Buddhist heritage
Mahiyanganaseya is supposed to be one of the 16 most
Sacred places to be worshiped topmost
Rupa Banduwardena
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