Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 29
“Are there people who are not your relatives?”
“Yes… There are many people who are not my relatives”
“Are there people other than your relatives and non relatives?”
“Yes…That would be me, sir”
“Good… You are very intelligent and ready to listen to Buddha Dharma”
Then Mahinda Thera preached “Chula Hatthi Padopama Sutra” to the King. End of the sutra, King
and his 40 thousand men became followers of Buddhism.
Hearing of Mahinda thera and Buddhism, King Devanampiya Tissa’s brother’s wife Princess Anula
came with five hundred women and made offerings to the Mahinda thera. Later that day Mahinda
thera preached Buddhism to Princess Anula and other women, and they attained “sovan pala” (First
step to nirvana).
Construction of “Maha Vihara” by King Devanampiya Tissa:
King Devanampiya Tissa, wanted the whole country to listen to Mahinda thera’s preaching. He
arranged a large hall for the people to sit and listen. Unfortunately this hall was too small and nearby
large elephant dwelling house was also converted to a hall.
Author’s Note: Mahinda Thera’s Lineage: (As per Mahavamsa)
Mahinda Thera was ordained by Moggaliputta Tissa Mahathera. (Who led the third Sangayana and
wrote the seventh book of the Abhidharma pitaka, Kathavatthu. Translated by A.C Taylor, Pali Text
Society).
Moggaliputta Tissa was ordained by Siggava Mahathera.
Siggava was ordained by Sonaka Mahathera
Sonaka was ordained by Dasaka Mahathera
Dasaka was ordained by Upali Mahathera.
Upali was ordained by Buddha.
(Upali Mahathera answered questions regarding Vinaya during First Maha Sangayana just after the
death of Lord Buddha).
(Author’s Note: Buddhist order came down under Mahinda Mahathera came to an end during the
time of Seethawaka Rajasiha, who became a Hindu and killed many bhikkus).
Tissa Wewa: (Anuradhapura) (300 BC)
Tissa Wewa was built by King Devanam Piya Tissa. Only Panda Wewa and Abhaya Wewa are
considered to be older than Tissa Wewa. The embankment of Tissa Wewa is 11,000 feet long (Two
miles) and 25 feet high. The width of the top of the reservoir was found to be 12 feet and the slope of
the embankment is three horizontals to one vertical. Base of the embankment is 160 feet. (Compare
this to a 300 ft long soccer field). According to Parker, (Ref. Ancient Ceylon) the embankment was
made so solidly that it would last forever!. Tissa Wewa has an area of approximately 400 acres.
Southern Tissa Wewa: (Built by Mahanaga – Brother of Devanam Piya Tissa):
Southern Tissa Wewa is different than the Tissa Wewa of Anuradhapura. Southern Tissa Wewa was
built by Mahanaga, brother of King Devanam Piya Tissa. Southern Tissa Wewa was built by damming
Kirindi Oya. The early designer allowed only five feet between the water level and the top of the