Myth, Memory, and Mission: Reassessing the Journey of Mahinda Thera to Sri Lanka

The arrival of Mahinda Thera in third-century BCE Sri Lanka is a foundational moment in the island’s religious and cultural history and has been traditionally viewed as the formal introduction of Buddhism. Celebrated in classical sources such as the Mahāvaṃsa, Dīpavaṃsa, Samantapāsadikā, Bōdhivamsa, and Nikāya Saṅgrahaya, these narratives blend historical recollection with mythic embellishment and religious idealism. This study critically re-examines the princely monk’s journey through the intersecting frameworks of myth, memory, and mission, drawing from literary chronicles, commentaries, and inscriptions in early Brāhmī script. Particular attention is given to epigraphic evidence that supports the presence and legacy of these mission, as well as foreign perspectives such as Xuanzang’s (Hiuen Tsiang) travel account, which enrich the broader context of religious memory. The role of Emperor Asoka and Sri Lankan King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BCE), whose patronage institutionalized Buddhism through the construction of key sites such as Thūpārama and Mihintalē, is also analyzed. The study traces the formation of Bhikkhu lineage, focusing on the spiritual and institutional significance of ordination, education, and monastic foundations, especially Mahāvihāra. This assessment reveals how historical memory and mythic tradition were deliberately intertwined to sustain religious authority and cultural identity. The legacy of Mahinda endures as both a hagiographic figure and a historical actor of a transformative mission. By distinguishing between sacred memory and historical evidence, this paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of early Buddhist transmission and the dynamics of religious-cultural integration in ancient Sri Lanka.