Precious Gifts that Sri Lanka was blessed with

Amidst tens and thousands of monarchs that crowd
“The columns of history, the name Asoka shines” said Wells

Soldier, Statesman, Saint all combined in him, he tells
Emperor Asoka was blessed with Mahinda, Sanghamitta of immense fame

Very soon Lanka did have the good fortune to be blessed with the same
Thanks to the royal patronage of Emperor’s Buddhist mission

Which adorned the then Lanka with a new dimension
The arrival of Ven. Mahinda, later Sanghamitta to our country

Marked a significant milestone in the sasanic history
With their arrival, the then paradise isle of ours

Was illumined with the light of Dhamma of radiant colours
Where Thera Mahinda alighted was called Mihindu-Thala

By then he was an Arahant having obtained Marga pala
To Sri Lanka he introduced the marvel of Universal truth

Which he had realised in his budding youth
This was followed by the visit of Therini Sanghamitta, the twin sibling

Who was the one responsible for bringing the sacred Bo-sapling
On Unduwap Poya Day it was planted in Mahamewna gardens

With pomp and grandeur on earth at the spot where it now stands
The charming princess had become a Therini at the age of eighteen

She was also destined to establish Bhikkuni Sasana of great esteem
The dual gift of the Bo sapling and the inauguration

Of Bhikkuni Sasana was a marvel in ordination
This gave her the courage to embark on this sacred task

And relieve the devoted women folk from the dark
The dedicated duo took the lead in giving us the invaluable treasure

In which the entire Buddhist heritage could be recollected at leisure
With her people of 18 castes came to safeguard the Bo tree precious

Carrying on the social strata, an impact tremendous
They had a new breed of life enriched by the doctrine

In the sphere of Agriculture, Industry and Architecture as a routine
In the religious annals these events are of special significance

They are of considerable historic value upheld with reverence
The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi stands unshaken to date

Blessing the entire island, its existence and good fate
The economic and religious culture – the unique combination

Exerted an enormous influence on the continuity of our civilization
Hence Unduwap Poya stands out from the rest

As the most vital influencing the sasanic history to date

Rupa Banduwardena