Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
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<strong>Concise</strong> <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> <strong>Ruwan</strong> <strong>Rajapakse</strong>, P.E., <strong>Sinhalanet</strong>.<strong>com</strong> 57<br />
Gothabhaya: (240 AD – 253 AD)<br />
After King Siri Sangha Bo left the city, Gothabhaya became the new King. He was suspicious that Siri<br />
Sangha Bo would <strong>com</strong>e back with an army. Gothabhaya promised to provide huge sum of money to<br />
anyone who would bring Siri Sangha Bo’s head.<br />
Siri Sangha Bo Giving His Head to a Poor Man:<br />
One day in the jungle, Siri Sangha Bo met a very poor man. King removed his head and gave it to the<br />
poor man so that he could claim the prize. The homeless man took the head to King Gothabhaya.<br />
King was not sure whether it belongs to Siri Sangha Bo. At this point, the head started to talk and<br />
confirmed that it is really Siri Sangha Bo and Gothabhaya should provide the promised prize to the<br />
poor man. King Gothabhaya gave the promised prize to the poor man.<br />
King Gothabhaya renewed stone pillars at Lowa Maha Paaya.<br />
(Author’s Note: <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> provides a detailed list of meritorious acts conducted by King<br />
Gothabhaya. He is the father of one of the greatest Kings of Lanka, King Mahasen).<br />
King Githabhaya’s Two Sons: (Jetta Tissa and Mahasen):<br />
King Gothabhaya had two sons. Jetta Tissa was the older son and Mahasen was the younger son. A<br />
Chola monk named Sanghamittha was the mentor of two young boys. Thera Sanghamittha was against<br />
Mahavihara (Theravadha) bhikkus. King Gothabhaya was closer to Thera Sanghamittha and obtained<br />
advice from him against the wishes of Mahavihara bhikkus. Two sons grew up under Sanghamittha.<br />
Bhikku Sanghamittha was more fond of Mahasen than Jetta Tissa. Due to this reason, older son Jetta<br />
Tissa was not happy with bhikku Sanghamittha.<br />
Jetta Tissa: (253 AD – 263 AD)<br />
After the death of Gothabhaya, Jetta Tissa became the King. Jetta Tissa was a cruel man. He had<br />
ministers of his father’s court killed during the funeral of King Gothabhaya and had the bodies impaled<br />
around the pyre.<br />
Bhikku Sanghamittha left the country, knowing that he was hated by Jetta Tissa..<br />
King Jetta Tissa increased the Lowa Maha Paaya to seven stories. After King Jetta Tissa’s death, his<br />
brother, Mahasen became the ruler.<br />
~Mahasen~<br />
(275 AD – 301 AD)<br />
After Mahasen was consecrated, his mentor Mahayana bhikku Sanghamittha came back to the city.<br />
Bhikku Sanghamittha convinced King Mahasen that Mahavihara bhikkus were not teaching real<br />
Vinaya (Disciplinary Code of Buddhism).<br />
Penalty for People Who Provided Food to Mahavihara Bhikkus:
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