Abhayagiri Dagoba, A Monument of Unique Historical Significance
Abhayagiriya Dagaba, Vata Wandana Road, Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central, 5000, Sri Lanka
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Introduction
Mihintale Stupa was built on the orders of King Devanampiya Tissa in the 1st century BCE and was said to have been 110 meters tall, making it as tall as the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa. Although its current height is reduced to 75 meters, it remains one of the tallest Anuradhapura stupas still standing.
This stupa is not only a temple, but also represents a sect that preserves unique historical records, traditions, and philosophies of life. In the 3rd century CE, the support of King Mahasena brought Mihintale Stupa to its peak.
However, in the 12th century, there was a fierce power struggle between the Mahayana Buddhism centered here and the Theravada Buddhism centered in the major temples. King Parakramabahu I suppressed Mahayana Buddhism, unified the Buddhist world, and the Mahayana Buddhism disappeared in Sri Lanka thereafter. Mihintale Stupa also fell into ruin, covered by weeds and wild trees.
Fortunately, this great stupa has been restored. In addition to restoration and upgrading, China also built a museum to commemorate the Chinese monk Faxian who practiced at Mihintale Stupa for two years and brought back several important Buddhist scriptures, providing an important theoretical basis for the development of Buddhism in China.
The architecture and sculpture of Mihintale Stupa are exquisite, with the most famous being the Moonstone and the Guardian Stone that decorate the temple's staircases. Address Abhayagiriya Dagaba, Vata Wandana Road, Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central, 5000, Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura has a lot of stupas
