Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.3518

v1.c6.3518

The Chronicles state that Asoka and Devanampiya Tissa of Ceylon had been friends—though they had never seen each other—even before Mahinda’s mission to Ceylon. Tissa had sent him, as a friendly gesture, various gifts, and Asoka had returned the courtesy. He sent an embassy of his chosen ministers, bearing gifts marvellous in splendour, that Tissa might go through a second coronation ceremony, and the messengers were directed to give this special message to the king: “I have taken refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha and declared myself a follower of the religion of the Sākyaputta. Seek then, even thou, oh best of men, converting thy mind with believing heart, refuge in these best of gems.”²⁷