The 'Mahavamsa' is a chronicle enshrining Sri Lankan historical traditions. Cross-checking its narrative against historical and archaeological data shows that many of its episodes have a historical foundation.
Particularly vivid are passages relating to the introduction of Buddhism into Sri Lanka by the holy man Mahinda, son of the Indian emperor Ashoka. Here the Sri Lankan king, Devanampiya Tissa, donates his royal park at Anuradhapura to Mahinda and the Buddhist community for a monastery: this was the major complex known thereafter as the Mahavihara - Great Monastery.
The story opens as Mahinda finishes preaching a powerful sermon which has gained a thousand converts.
