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Grammatical Analysis
Cetiyagiri: [m.] The Mountain of Shrines. Formed by cetiya (shrine, monument) + giri (mountain). Better known today as Mihintale.
Orthodox Definition
Cetiyagiri is a revered mountainous peak located near Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It holds immense historical significance as the exact geographical location where Buddhism was formally introduced to the island.
According to the chronicles, it was on this mountain on a Poson full-moon day that the Arahat Mahinda (Emperor Ashoka’s son) miraculously appeared and encountered King Devānampiya Tissa, who was out hunting. Mahinda tested the king’s intelligence with a riddle, and finding him wise, preached the Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta, resulting in the king’s conversion.
Because Mahinda spent his rainy seasons here, and because it housed numerous reliquary stupas, the mountain came to be known as Cetiyagiri, serving as a massive monastic complex and a primary pilgrimage site second only to the Mahāvihāra.
Quote
Giribhaṇḍamahāpūjāyāti cetiyagirimhi sakalalaṅkādīpe, yojanappamāṇe samudde ca nāvāsaṅghāṭādike ṭhapetvā dīpapupphagandhādīhi kariyamānamahāpūjāyaṃ.
“At the great offering of Giribhaṇḍa” refers to the great offering made with island flowers, perfumes, and so on, at Cetiyagiri, throughout the entire island of Laṅkā, and in the ocean of one yojana in extent, placing boats and rafts, and so on.— Mahāvaggaṭīkā
Textual References
- Historical: Mahāvaṃsa (Chapter 13-14) – The detailed narrative of Mahinda’s flight through the air from India and his landing on Cetiyagiri.