Devanampiyatissa

Devanampiyatissa was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka, reigning from 250 BCE to 210 BCE. His reign is historically significant due to his conversion to Buddhism and his patronage of the religion, which profoundly shaped the island's cultural and religious landscape.

According to the Mahavamsa, a Sinhalese chronicle, Devanampiyatissa was converted to Buddhism by Mahinda Thera, the son of Emperor Ashoka of India, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. This conversion marked a pivotal moment, leading to the establishment of Buddhism as the state religion. Devanampiyatissa is credited with building numerous Buddhist monasteries and stupas, the most famous being the Thuparamaya, believed to house the collarbone of the Buddha.

His reign also saw the arrival of Sanghamitta Theri, Mahinda's sister, who brought a sapling of the Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, India. This sapling was planted in Anuradhapura and became the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred site for Buddhists worldwide. Devanampiyatissa's close ties with Emperor Ashoka facilitated cultural and religious exchanges between India and Sri Lanka.

The king's reign is often portrayed as a golden age for Buddhism in Sri Lanka, characterized by peace, prosperity, and the flourishing of religious institutions. His legacy is deeply intertwined with the spread and establishment of Buddhism on the island.