Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya
The Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was a preeminent "great monastery" (mahāvihāra) for Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, established in the capital city of Anuradhapura by King Devanampiya Tissa. It served as a vital center for Buddhist scholarship, attracting international scholars and producing influential commentaries on Buddhist scriptures, making it a cornerstone of Theravada orthodoxy.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in Anuradhapura by King Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BCE).
- ›Was a major center for Theravada Buddhist scholarship, with monks like Buddhaghosa and Dhammapala associated with it.
- ›Attracted numerous international scholars and was considered an advanced center of learning in South/East Asia in the 5th century CE.
- ›Experienced destruction in the 4th century CE during sectarian conflicts but was reported as intact and housing 3000 monks by Faxian in the early 5th century CE.
- ›Became the dominant Theravada tradition in the 12th century CE under King Parakramabāhu I, who abolished rival traditions.
- ›The monks residing at the monastery were known as the Mahāvihāravāsins.
Important Relationships
- King Devanampiya Tissa
- Buddhaghosa
- Dhammapala
- Faxian
- Xuanzang
- King Mahasena
- King Parakramabāhu I
- Center of Theravada Buddhist Scholarship
- Produced Commentaries On the Tipitaka and Texts Like the Visuddhimagga
- Destruction In the 4th Century Ce
- Reported As Intact With 3000 Monks By Faxian In Early 5th Century Ce
- Abolition of Abhayagiri and Jetavana Traditions Under King ParakramabāHu I In the 12th Century Ce
About Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya
The Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya stands as a pivotal "great monastery" (mahāvihāra) central to the development and preservation of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Established in the ancient capital city of Anuradhapura by King Devanampiya Tissa during his reign from 247 to 207 BCE, it quickly became a preeminent center for Buddhist learning and practice.
Scholarly Hub and Orthodoxy
The Maha Viharaya was instrumental in solidifying the Theravada Mahāvihāra of the Tambapaṇṇiya orthodoxy. Monks residing here, known as the Mahāvihāravāsins, included esteemed figures such as Buddhaghosa and Dhammapala. These scholars produced vital commentaries on the Tipitaka (the Buddhist canon) and foundational texts like the Visuddhimagga, which remain central to Theravada doctrine. By the 5th century CE, the monastery was recognized as one of the most advanced centers of learning in southern or eastern Asia, attracting numerous international scholars who engaged in a highly structured curriculum.
Historical Resilience and Influence
The history of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya is marked by periods of both conflict and resurgence. While the Mahavamsa chronicle recounts its destruction in the 4th century CE due to sectarian disputes with the Abhayagiri Vihāra, the account of the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian, who visited in the early 5th century CE, indicates the monastery was not only intact but housed approximately 3,000 monks. Faxian also personally witnessed a cremation ceremony at the Maha Viharaya of a highly respected śramaṇa who had attained arhatship. Later, in the 12th century CE, under the patronage of King Parakramabāhu I, the Maha Viharaya regained prominence, leading to the abolition of the Abhayagiri and Jetavana Theravada traditions and re-establishing the Maha Viharaya as the sole dominant Theravada school in Sri Lanka.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya founded?
The Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was founded by King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, whose reign is dated from 247 to 207 BCE.
What is the significance of Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya in Theravada Buddhism?
It was a crucial "great monastery" for Theravada Buddhism, serving as a major center for scholarship. Monks like Buddhaghosa and Dhammapala, who produced key commentaries on Buddhist texts, were associated with it, establishing the orthodoxy of the Tambapaṇṇiya tradition.
What was the relationship between the Maha Viharaya and other monastic groups?
The Maha Viharaya was the earliest Theravada tradition, from which the Abhayagiri Vihāra and Jetavana Vihāra later separated. While historical accounts mention destruction by monks from Abhayagiri Vihāra, Chinese traveler Faxian reported its intact state with a large number of monks in the early 5th century CE.
Did the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya face any destruction?
According to the Mahavamsa, the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was destroyed in the 4th century CE during sectarian conflicts with monks from the Abhayagiri Vihāra. However, the account of Chinese monk Faxian in the early 5th century CE contradicts this, stating the monastery was intact.
When did the Maha Viharaya become the dominant Theravada tradition?
The trend of Abhayagiri Vihara being the dominant Theravada sect shifted in the 12th century CE. This occurred when King Parakramabāhu I provided political support to the Maha Viharaya and abolished the Abhayagiri and Jetavana Theravada traditions.
What kind of scholars were associated with the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya?
In the 5th century CE, the Mahāvihāra was considered a leading center of learning in South or East Asia. It attracted numerous international scholars who studied a wide range of disciplines under a structured instructional system.
Related Buddhist Temples
Thuparamaya
Thuparamaya is recognized as the earliest documented Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, with its construction dating back to the introduction of Buddhism to the island. It holds significant historical and religious importance as the first stupa built in Sri Lanka, enshrining a relic of the Buddha and marking the formal arrival of Theravada Buddhism.
Kuragala
Kuragala is a significant pre-historic archaeological site in Sri Lanka, featuring evidence of early human settlement and an ancient Buddhist cave temple complex dating back to the 2nd century BC. It is recognized as the oldest archaeological site in the island's Intermediate Zone and holds importance for both Buddhist heritage and prehistoric human activity.
Vessagiri
Vessagiri, also known as Issarasamanarama, is an ancient Buddhist forest monastery located within the ruins of Anuradhapura, an ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Its origins date back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the mid-3rd century BC, and it was later expanded to accommodate approximately five hundred monks.