The Mahavamsa "The Great Chronicle" otherwise known as "The Great Dynasty" is the single most important work of Lankan origin (written in Pali language). It describes the life and times of the people who forged our nation, from the coming of Vijaya in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahasena (334 – 361) (6th Century BC to 4th Century AD). A companion volume, the Culavamsa or Choolavansha ("lesser chronicle"), covers the period from the 4th century to the British takeover of Sri Lanka in 1815.
Now since a great sacrifice by Kassapa of Uruvela was near at hand, and since he saw that this latter would fain have him away, he, the victorious over enemies, went to seek alms among the Northern Kurus; and when he had eaten his meal at evening time near the lake Anotatta, the Conqueror, in the ninth month of his buddhahood, at the full moon of Phussa, himself set forth for the isle of Lanka, to win Lanka for the faith. For Lanka was known to the Conqueror as a place where his doctrine should (thereafter) shine in glory; and (he knew that) from Lañkä, filled with the yakkhas, the yakkhas must (first) be driven forth.
The great thera Mahinda, of lofty wisdom, who at that time had been twelve years (a monk), charged by his teacher and by the brotherhood to convert the island of Lanka, pondered on the fitting time (for this) and thought: ‘Old is the king Mutasiva; his son must become king.’
When he had resolved to visit in the meantime his kinsfolk, he bade farewell to his teacher and the brotherhood and having asked the leave of the king he took with him the four theras[1] and also Samghamitta’s son, the miraculously gifted samanera Sumana, mighty in the six supernormal powers; and he went to Dakkhinagiri to confer on his kinsfolk (the) grace (of his preaching). While he was so doing six months passed away.
The Arrival of the Relics
When the great thera of lofty wisdom, after spending the rain-season (thus), had held the pavarana-ceremony, on the full-moon day of the month Kattika, he spoke thus to the king: ‘Long is the time, O lord of men, since we have seen the Sambuddha. We lived a life without a master. There is nothing here for us to worship.’ And to the question: ‘Yet hast thou not told me, sir, that the Sambuddha is passed into nibbana?’ he answered: ‘If we behold the relics we behold the Conqueror.’ ‘My intention to build a thupa is known to you. I will build the thupa, and do you discover the relics.’ The thera replied to the king: ‘Take counsel with Sumana’; and the king said to the samanera: ‘Whence shall we have the relics?’ ‘O lord of men, when thou hast commanded the adorning of the city and the road and hast taken the uposathavows upon thyself together with thy company, go thou, in the evening, mounted on thy state-elephant, bearing the white parasol and attended by musicians, to the Mahanaga-park. There, O king, wilt thou receive relics of him who knew how to destroy the elements of existence,’ so said the sämanera Sumana to the (king), glad of heart.
WHEN the king Dutthagámani had provided for his people and had had a relic put into his spear he marched, with chariots, troops and beasts for riders, to Tissamaháráma, and when he had shown favour to the brotherhood he said: `I will go on to the land on the further side of the river to bring glory to the doctrine. Give us, that we may treat them with honour, bhikkhus who shall go on with us, since the sight of bhikkhus is blessing and protection for us.’ As a penance the brotherhood allowed him five hundred ascetics; taking this company of bhikkhus with him the king marched forth, and when he had caused the read in Malaya leading hither to be made ready he mounted the elephant Kandula and, surrounded by his warriors, he took the field with a mighty host. With the one end yet in Mahágáma the train of the army reached to Guttahálaka.
Arrived at Mahiyangana he overpowered the Damila Chatta. When he had slain the Damilas in that very place he came then to Ambatitthaka, which had a trench leading from the river, and (conquered) the Damila Titthamba; fighting the crafty and powerful foe for four months he (finally) overcame him by cunning, since he placed his mother in his view. When the mighty man marching thence down (the river) had conquered seven mighty Damila princes in one day and had established peace, he gave over the booty to his troops. Therefore is (the place) called Khemáráma.
Now since a great sacrifice by Kassapa of Uruvela was near at hand, and since he saw that this latter would fain have him away, he, the victorious over enemies, went to seek alms among the Northern Kurus; and when he had eaten his meal at evening time near the lake Anotatta, the Conqueror, in the ninth month of his buddhahood, at the full moon of Phussa, himself set forth for the isle of Lanka, to win Lanka for the faith. For Lanka was known to the Conqueror as a place where his doctrine should (thereafter) shine in glory; and (he knew that) from Lañkä, filled with the yakkhas, the yakkhas must (first) be driven forth.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa
Fourth Marvel.
(Mv.I.19.1) [43] At that time, Uruvelakassapa had prepared a great sacrifice. (People from) the whole area of Magadha and Aṅga wanted to come, bringing along lots of staple and non-staple food. Then the thought occurred to Uruvelakassapa, “Right now I have prepared a great sacrifice, and (people from) the whole area of Magadha and Aṅga will come, bringing along lots of staple and non-staple food.
“If the great contemplative performs a marvel in front of the large crowd of people, his gains and honor will increase while my gains and honor diminish.
“Oh, I hope the great contemplative doesn’t come tomorrow!”
(Mv.I.19.2) Then the Blessed One, having known with his awareness the train of thought in Uruvelakassapa’s awareness, went to the northern Kuru country and, taking almsfood from there, consumed it at Anotatta[5] Lake and spent the day right there.
As the night was ending, Uruvelakassapa went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, said to him, “It’s time, great contemplative. The meal is ready.
“Why didn’t you come yesterday, great contemplative?
“And we even thought of you, ‘Why isn’t the great contemplative coming?’
“Your share of staple and non-staple food[6] was set aside.”
(Mv.I.19.3) “Didn’t it occur to you, ‘Right now I am preparing a great sacrifice, and (people from) the whole area of Magadha and Aṅga will come, bringing along lots of staple and non-staple food.
“‘If the great contemplative performs a marvel in front of the large crowd of people, his gains and honor will increase while my gains and honor diminish.
“‘Oh, I hope the great contemplative doesn’t come tomorrow!’?
(Mv.I.19.4) “Kassapa, having known with my awareness the train of thought in your awareness, I went to the northern Kuru country and, taking almsfood from there, consumed it at Anotatta Lake and spent the day there.”
The thought occurred to Uruvelakassapa, “He’s powerful, the great contemplative, and mighty, in that he knew (my) awareness with (his) awareness. But still, he’s not an arahant like me.”
Then the Blessed One ate the meal provided by Uruvelakassapa and stayed on in the forest grove.
Jāti is the cause of suffering should be not forgotten. Strong attachment to jāti even cause for much additional unskilful deeds.Yes, bhante, I accept.
Quote from: The Mahavamsa (http://mahavamsa.org/)The Mahavamsa "The Great Chronicle" otherwise known as "The Great Dynasty" is the single most important work of Lankan origin (written in Pali language). It describes the life and times of the people who forged our nation, from the coming of Vijaya in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahasena (334 – 361) (6th Century BC to 4th Century AD). A companion volume, the Culavamsa or Choolavansha ("lesser chronicle"), covers the period from the 4th century to the British takeover of Sri Lanka in 1815.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavamsa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavamsa)Quote from: The Visit of The Thatagatha - Siddhartha Gautama Buddha 563 BCE to 483 BCE visiting Sri Lanka (http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/01-visit-thatagatha/)Now since a great sacrifice by Kassapa of Uruvela was near at hand, and since he saw that this latter would fain have him away, he, the victorious over enemies, went to seek alms among the Northern Kurus; and when he had eaten his meal at evening time near the lake Anotatta, the Conqueror, in the ninth month of his buddhahood, at the full moon of Phussa, himself set forth for the isle of Lanka, to win Lanka for the faith. For Lanka was known to the Conqueror as a place where his doctrine should (thereafter) shine in glory; and (he knew that) from Lañkä, filled with the yakkhas, the yakkhas must (first) be driven forth.Quote from: The Coming of Mahinda (http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/13-coming-mahinda/)The great thera Mahinda, of lofty wisdom, who at that time had been twelve years (a monk), charged by his teacher and by the brotherhood to convert the island of Lanka, pondered on the fitting time (for this) and thought: ‘Old is the king Mutasiva; his son must become king.’
When he had resolved to visit in the meantime his kinsfolk, he bade farewell to his teacher and the brotherhood and having asked the leave of the king he took with him the four theras[1] and also Samghamitta’s son, the miraculously gifted samanera Sumana, mighty in the six supernormal powers; and he went to Dakkhinagiri to confer on his kinsfolk (the) grace (of his preaching). While he was so doing six months passed away.Quote from: The Arrival of the Relics (http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/17-arrival-relics/)The Arrival of the Relics
When the great thera of lofty wisdom, after spending the rain-season (thus), had held the pavarana-ceremony, on the full-moon day of the month Kattika, he spoke thus to the king: ‘Long is the time, O lord of men, since we have seen the Sambuddha. We lived a life without a master. There is nothing here for us to worship.’ And to the question: ‘Yet hast thou not told me, sir, that the Sambuddha is passed into nibbana?’ he answered: ‘If we behold the relics we behold the Conqueror.’ ‘My intention to build a thupa is known to you. I will build the thupa, and do you discover the relics.’ The thera replied to the king: ‘Take counsel with Sumana’; and the king said to the samanera: ‘Whence shall we have the relics?’ ‘O lord of men, when thou hast commanded the adorning of the city and the road and hast taken the uposathavows upon thyself together with thy company, go thou, in the evening, mounted on thy state-elephant, bearing the white parasol and attended by musicians, to the Mahanaga-park. There, O king, wilt thou receive relics of him who knew how to destroy the elements of existence,’ so said the sämanera Sumana to the (king), glad of heart.Quote from: The Victory of Duttha Gamani (http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/25-victory-duttha-gamani/)WHEN the king Dutthagámani had provided for his people and had had a relic put into his spear he marched, with chariots, troops and beasts for riders, to Tissamaháráma, and when he had shown favour to the brotherhood he said: `I will go on to the land on the further side of the river to bring glory to the doctrine. Give us, that we may treat them with honour, bhikkhus who shall go on with us, since the sight of bhikkhus is blessing and protection for us.’ As a penance the brotherhood allowed him five hundred ascetics; taking this company of bhikkhus with him the king marched forth, and when he had caused the read in Malaya leading hither to be made ready he mounted the elephant Kandula and, surrounded by his warriors, he took the field with a mighty host. With the one end yet in Mahágáma the train of the army reached to Guttahálaka.
Arrived at Mahiyangana he overpowered the Damila Chatta. When he had slain the Damilas in that very place he came then to Ambatitthaka, which had a trench leading from the river, and (conquered) the Damila Titthamba; fighting the crafty and powerful foe for four months he (finally) overcame him by cunning, since he placed his mother in his view. When the mighty man marching thence down (the river) had conquered seven mighty Damila princes in one day and had established peace, he gave over the booty to his troops. Therefore is (the place) called Khemáráma.