Mihintale

Mihintale is one of the oldest systems of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist monastery is situated on the mountain Missaka 7 km east of Anuradhapura.

The monk Mahinda was sent by the Indian king Ashoka to Sri Lanka to preach Buddhism. When the king Devanampia Tissa was hunting and pursued a deer suddenly Mahinda stood before him. He was converted to Buddhism by a conversation with him. He built on the hill a large monastic complex, including a Dagoba dating from the 2nd century BC.