The most ancient Mangalam Kavi (පුරාණ මංගලම් කවි) explain that Buddha was born in Heladeepa, Sri Lanka

The most ancient Mangalam Kavi (පුරාණ මංගලම් කවි) explain Sri Lanka as the Deepa (the island) where Buddha was born, where he had his family, areas where he had an ascetic life prior to his Enlightenment etc.

Poruwa ceremony, even to this date, is the main customary ritual found in the traditional Sinhalese wedding in Sri Lanka which is backed by Buddhist influence. Poruwa is a decorated platform (wood, rice grains, flowers - leaves and other articles of different plants with herbal and traditional values such as Coconut, Banyan tree, Ceylon Ironwood etc are used in building the Poruwa), where the new couple will be standing during the ceremonial time of the event. Mangalam Kavi (පුරාණ මංගලම් කවි) can be termed as a type of poems or verses or traditional chats recited at this particular event.  An elderly person, always a male, who has experience in life, well known and respected by others is selected as the presenter of these blissful verses.  As the new couple is still on the Poruwa, this learnt person chants these verses being in front of them. These Mangalam Kavi are rich in the qualities of Noble Bosath, the Buddha aspirant, and Buddha himself. In the account of the charisma of these qualities, it is expected a good future for the new couple. 

1.

Noble Sidduhath was born as the noble prince of the great King Suddodana - this is a blessing, He, the noble prince, was born in the central region of the city called Kibulwath - this is a blessing, Mara (the evil thoughts or defilements) was conquered (Buddha got his enlightenment) by the charisma of the ten Paramis (virtual practices) - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed with the supra mandane virtues of the gem called Buddha (who is possessed with above noble qualities)

• central region - මැද්ද මණ්ඩල- the center of the country

• city - නුවර - even to this date the main city in the central region is called නුවර (Nuwara) in Sinhala, Kandy in English

• Kibulwath - කිඹුල් වත- 'Kibul - කිඹුල් ' is for the crocodile, 'watha - වත ' is for the body. This means the city having a shape of a body of a crocodile. The central region of Sri Lanka resembles with the body ( the view from the top ) of a crocodile.

• Gem - Sri Lankan Buddhist consider Buddha, Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) and Sanga (the members of the non-lay disciples of Buddha) as Triple Gems.

2.

In the past, the Buddha called Deepankara, announced this Buddha (the Buddha for this eon, Gauthama Buddha) as the Buddha to come - this is a blessing, Buddha Pooja or offerings for Buddha are held in the island on frequent basis - this is a blessing, Buddha conquered Mara (the evil thoughts or defilements) with the powers of the virtues of the Paramis - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed with the supra- mundane virtues of the Dharma (the supra- mundane teachings) of the Buddha.

• island - දෙරණ (Derana) - Sri Lanka is an island, but not India.

3.

Our Noble Bosath, the Buddha aspirant, went in to the area called Wanga Gira for meditation (for the ascetic life) - this is a blessing, on his way there, he gave away his chariot and the two horses as charity - this is a blessing, he gave all his wealth such as gold, silver, gems, pearls etc as charity - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed with the virtues of the gem called Sanga.

• Wanga Gira - වංග ගිර - the mountain area with bends. This is the area called The Daha Ata Wanguwa (the most famous hair-pin 18 bends), as it is called now. This road links Kandy and Mahiyangana areas.   

• The place where he let his horses be free (may be for water, food) called Hunasgiriya, today. Hun (the place) + As (the horses) + Giriya (the mountain area) is found  in between Kandy and Daha Ata wanguwa.

4.

In this Kapa (Kalpa - eon), Noble Bosath was born in the city of Kibulwath - this is a blessing, his virtual act of sacrificing (in many past births) his eyes, heads, flesh and blood to fulfill his  aspiration to become a Buddha - this is a blessing, (on the spirit of these sacrifices) the mother earth was shaken two three times - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed with the supra mandane virtues of these three gems (The Triple Gems).

5.

Noble Bosath, the Buddha aspirant, was born in the city of Kibulwath - this is a blessing, he cut his hair (hair relics) with his royal sword and threw it to the air - this is a blessing, all the deities did opening the entrances, which were locked out, of the city - this is a blessing. May this couple be blessed for a long living. 

• It is said that deities kept the entrances of the city opened. It was an aid for Prince Sidduhath for his great renunciation.

Translated by Amal Meemanage (amalmeemanage@gmail.com)