Mahanama of Anuradhapura

Last updated
Mahanama
King of Anuradhapura
Reign412 – 434
Predecessor Upatissa I
Successor Soththisena
Issue Soththisena
Chattagahaka Jantu
Dynasty House of Lambakanna I
Father Buddhadasa

Mahanama was King of Anuradhapura in the 5th century, whose reign lasted from 412 to 434. He succeeded his brother Upatissa I as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his son Soththisena.

Contents

According to the chronicles at first, this Mahanama was a monk and had an illicit relationship with the queen of Upathissa I. Then with the help of the queen he killed Upathissa and become king while placing the Queen of King Upathissa as his queen too. Anyway, after being king he has deeply devoted himself to Buddhism.

During his time Abhayagiriya Monastery complex had become a larger wider and more powerful monastery than any other monastery in the country. As the guardian of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, it becomes famous worldwide. With the environment of different ideas and different viewpoints, it transforms into semi university state and becomes a placement for keeping a thousand types of Buddhist scripture. Not only Buddhist scripture but it also was kept other knowledge in their too. So this is the very reason many foreign students came to Sri Lanka to study here. Not only Buddhist monks worldwide especially in India, and the Southeast Asian region countries, China and also normal scholars had the opportunity to study that knowledge.

So during his reign, there came special foreign travellers to Lanka and among those most, were Buddhist monks.

The first one was, a famous traveller Faxian who came to Lanka in A.D.410 and lived two years in Abhayagiriya viharaya. According to his records at that time there were 3000 monks residents in the Maha Vihara monastery complex while the Abhayagiriya monastery complex could host residents for 5000 monks. As well as Abhayagiriya had become guardians of the Tooth relic, Bowl relic and Heir relic of Lord Buddha. As well as he said was saw the worship of Tooth Relic was held for a total of 90 days with the participation of thousands of civilians which was held in a special building made in the Abhayagiri monastery complex area. During his living time in the country he was taken Vinaya Pitaka (discipline system)of Mahinsashak (School) and Dirgagama and Samyukthagama sutras from this monastery and taken to China.

The second important traveller was Gunavarman who was a Buddhist scholar and prince of Kashmir and also came to Abhayagiriya. Then he travelled to Java and successfully converted the Dowager queen and King in that country into Buddhism. After that, he guided a group of monks and Bhikkhunis (female monks ) to Nanjing in China. This Bhikkuni group was led by Bhikkuni Devasara Thisarana (Tie-se-ra) and that happened in two steps. The First 8 bhikkhunis were sent to Nanjing(That time Jiankang) which was Capital of Liu Song under the captainship of sailor Nanda and he came back with a message of insufficient bhikkhunis to perform dual ordination ( this process was required for female monks to become Bhikkhunis under ordination of bhikkus.).Then Lanka sent another Bhikkuni group with 10 to China, while that previous group was proficient in the Chinese language and tradition. So with that, there was successfully delivered Bhikkuni Upasampada to China with the dedication of Gunavarman and the group came from Sri Lanka.

At the same time bhikkuni Chandramali was led another bhikkuni group to Tibet and was translated six Sanskrit text to Tibet which was including Tibetan thripitaka called as Kanjur.

Anyway, Maha Vihara also did not lose its renowned name worldwide during this time and kept it. But compared to Abhayagihira it was less than Abhayagihira's fame. During his time a monk named Buddhaghosa who was studied under Revatha thero in Maha Bodhi Vihara in India and learned Dhamma Pitaka under Thero Sanghapala in Mahavihara and Vinaya Pitaka under thero Bhuddhamitha who lived in a vihara sponsored by a lord called Mahanigasami which located south direction of Secret tree of Lord Buddha in Anuradhapura. For checking his knowledge Theros in Maha Vihara was assigned for making a book that simplifies deep meanings in Buddhism and created the marvellous book called Vishuddhimagga Sannaya as a result. Not only that he translated much scripture that was written in the local language in Pali language. However, some folklore said that during that period was burned thousands of books that are written in the local language about different fields. Also, king Mahanama made several temples during his period. From those "Lohodora", "Ralagamuwa", and "Kempasa" temples were donated to Abhayagiri monks and a temple build on Dumrak hill which memorandum of his queen was given to Maha Vihara. Also during his time there were happened letter exchanges between Lanka and China royal courts. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maha Bodhi Society</span> South Asian Buddhist movement and organisation

The Maha Bodhi Society is a South Asian Buddhist society presently based in Kolkata, India. Founded by the Sri Lankan Buddhist leader Anagarika Dharmapala and the British journalist and poet Sir Edwin Arnold, its first office was in Bodh Gaya. The organization's efforts began in order to resuscitate Buddhism in India, and to restore the ancient Buddhist shrines at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinara. The restoration and revival of the glory and sanctity of Bodh Gaya are also aims of Maha Bodhi Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanghamitta</span> Daughter of Emperor Ashoka

Saṅghamittā was an Indian Buddhist nun and the eldest daughter of Emperor Ashoka and his first wife, Devi. Together with her brother Mahinda, she entered an order of Buddhist monks. The two siblings later went to Sri Lanka to spread the teachings of Buddha at the request of King Devanampiya Tissa who was a contemporary of Ashoka. Ashoka was initially reluctant to send his daughter on an overseas mission. However, because of the insistence of Sangamitra herself, he finally agreed. She was sent to Sri Lanka together with several other nuns to start the nun-lineage of Bhikkhunis at the request of King Tissa to ordain queen Anulā and other women of Tissa's court at Anuradhapura who desired to be ordained as nuns after Mahindra converted them to Buddhism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya</span> Theravada Buddhist monastery Sri Lanka

The Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was an important mahavihara or large Buddhist monastery for Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura founded it in his capital city of Anuradhapura. Monks such as Buddhaghosa and Dhammapala, who wrote commentaries on the Tipitaka and texts such as the Visuddhimagga, which are central to Theravada Buddhist doctrine, established Theravada Mahaviharan orthodoxy here. Monks living at the Mahavihara were referred to as Mahaviharavasins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gangaramaya Temple</span>

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddhism in Sri Lanka</span> History and demographics of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon

Theravada Buddhism is the largest and official religion of Sri Lanka, practiced by 70.2% of the population as of 2012. Practitioners of Sri Lankan Buddhism can be found amongst the majority Sinhalese population as well as among the minority ethnic groups. Sri Lankan Buddhists share many similarities with Southeast Asian Buddhists, specifically Myanmar Buddhists and Thai Buddhists due to traditional and cultural exchange. Sri Lanka is one of five nations with a Theravada Buddhist majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura</span> King of Anuradhapura from 247 BC to 207 BC

Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa, was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 247 BC to 207 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa.

Gajabahu I, also known as Gajabahuka Gamani, was a Sinhalese king of Rajarata in Sri Lanka. He is renowned for his military prowess, religious benefactions, extensive involvement in South Indian politics, and for possibly introducing the cult of the goddess Pattini to Sri Lanka. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, though he is also the only early Sri Lankan king to be extensively mentioned in the Chera Cilappatikaram.

Fourth Buddhist Council is the name of two separate Buddhist council meetings. The first one was held in Sri Lanka and is traditionally attributed to the 1st century BCE. In this fourth Buddhist council the Theravadin Pali Canon was for the first time committed to writing, on palm leaves. The second one was held by the Sarvastivada school, in Kashmir around the 1st century CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhayagiri Vihāra</span> Historical Buddhist monastery site in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism that was situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. Historically it was a great monastic center as well as a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories, roofed with gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colours. To the north of the city, encircled by great walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades and moonstones, stood "Abhayagiri", one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five major viharas. One of the focal points of the complex is an ancient stupa, the Abhayagiri Dagaba. Surrounding the humped dagaba, Abhayagiri Vihara was a seat of the Northern Monastery, or Uttara Vihara and the original custodian of the Tooth relic in the island.

Atamasthana (අටමස්ථාන) or Eight sacred places are a series of locations in Sri Lanka where the Buddha had visited during his three visits to the country. The sacred places are known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa and Lankarama. They are situated in Anuradhapura, the capital of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara</span> Ancient Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka

The Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple in Tissamaharama, Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It was one of the four major Buddhist monasteries established in Sri Lanka, after the arrival of Arhant Mahinda Thera to the country. The site of the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara was consecrated by Buddha himself, who spent some time in meditation there with 500 arhats, during his third visit to the island. Tissamaharama monastery had been recognized as a pre-eminent Buddhist educational center of the southern Sri Lanka from the 3rd century B.C. to the 11th century A.D. The Tissamaharama Dagoba which is situated in the premises of the monastery is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka. The present chief incumbent of Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is Ven. Devalegama Dhammasena Nayaka Thera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupas in Sri Lanka</span>

Stupas, also called dagebas and cetiyas, are considered an outstanding type of architectural creation of ancient Sri Lanka. Under the influence of Buddhism, there were several changes in the field of architecture in Sri Lanka. The stupa commands a prominent place among these changes. The Stupa is also known by synonymous names such as Chaithya, Dagaba, Thupa, Seya and Vehera. Stupas designed and constructed in Sri Lanka are the largest brick structures known to the pre-modern world.

Valagamba, also known as Wattagamani Abhaya and Valagambahu, was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Five months after becoming king, he was overthrown by a rebellion and an invasion from South India, but regained the throne by defeating the invaders fourteen years later. He is also known for the construction of the Abhayagiri Dagaba.

Vankanasika Tissa was the second King of Anuradhapura from the House of Lambakanna I. He ruled from 111 to 113 AD. He was preceded by his father, Vasabha and succeeded by his son, Gajabahu I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya</span> Ancient Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in Hambantota District, South Eastern Sri Lanka. Situated 18 km east of the pilgrimage town Katharagama, it is believed to have been built in the 2nd century B.C by king Kavantissa. Sithulpawwa Vihara can be reached by travelling 18 miles along the Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road towards the Yala National Park. The name Sithulpawwa is derived from the word "Chiththala Pabbatha", which means "the hill of the quiet mind".

Mahavihara is the Sanskrit and Pali term for a great vihara and is used to describe a monastic complex of viharas.

Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, who was the 20th Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya. He was presented with the religious title of Agga Maha Pandita by the government of Myanmar on March 7, 2007, in recognition of his contribution to the purification, perpetuation and propagation of Buddhism. His complete title was Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Udugama Sddharmakirthi Sri Dhammadassi Rathanapala Buddharakkhithabhidhana Mahanayaka Thero.

Sri Lankan Forest Monks' Tradition claims a long history. As the oldest Theravada Buddhist country in the world, several forest traditions and lineages had been existed, disappeared and re-emerged circularly in Sri Lanka. The current forest traditions and lineages in Sri Lanka have been influenced by the Burmese and Thai traditions which descend from the ancient Indian and Sri Lankan traditions.

Asgiri Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist monastery located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is the headquarters of the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya, one of the two Buddhist monasteries that holds the custodianship of sacred tooth relic of Buddha kept in Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. The chief incumbent of the Asgiri Maha Viharaya is the Mahanayaka thero of Asgiri chapter of Siyam nikaya, a leading Buddhist monastic fraternity in Sri Lanka. The present chief incumbent of Asgiri Maha Viharaya is Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero. Asgiri Maha Vihara traces its origin from the Wanavasi sect of the Dimbulagala forest monastery of Polonnaruva. Currently, 565 Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka function under Asgiri Viharaya of Kandy.

References

  1. ↑ Chapter II. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap02.html
    THE TRAVELS OF FA-HIEN - c40. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from http://books.lakdiva.org/fahsin/c40.html
    Anuradhapura: The 1400-year capital of Sri Lanka | Sahapedia. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://www.sahapedia.org/anuradhapura-1400-year-capital-sri-lanka
    Funday Times. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://www.sundaytimes.lk/050612/funday/1.html
    Lankan bhikkhunis took Bhikkhuni Sasana to the world. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://www.sundaytimes.lk/171203/plus/lankan-bhikkhunis-took-bhikkhuni-sasana-to-the-world-271068.html
    සිංහල අටුවා පාලි භාෂාවට නැගූ අටුවාචාර්ය බුද්ධඝෝෂ හාමුදුරුවෝ. (2022). Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://www.budusarana.lk/budusarana/2019/10/21/tmp.asp?ID=fea02
    Kessler, P. (2022). Kingdoms of China - Liu Song / Sung (Anterior) Dynasty of the Sixteen Kingdoms. Retrieved 26 May 2022, from https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/ChinaNewDynastiesSixteenKingdoms_LiuSong.htm
Mahanama of Anuradhapura
Born: ? ? Died: ? ?
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Anuradhapura
412–434		Succeeded by



This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.