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

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 78
Robbing Treasures from Temples:
Kassapa after becoming the Yuvaraja (Next in line to the throne) started to break Thupas and rob gems
and other valuables inside. Same act was done by Dathopatissa as well.
(Author’s Note: As one could see during this time period leaders of the country had very little
respect for Buddhism).
While Kassapa was robbing treasures, King Agghabodhi was powerless in stopping him.
(Author’s Note: This time period can be considered as a dark age in Lanka. Moriyas and
Lambakannas were battling constantly for power. Today both these groups have lost their distinct
identities).
Dathopatissa: (Second Term): (686 AD – 693 AD)
Dathopatissa brought an army from Jambudeepa and defeated Agghabodhi and captured power.
Kassapa II: (693 AD – 702 AD)
Dathopatissa was defeated by Kassapa. After becoming the King, Kassapa stopped his past evil acts.
He erected a large building for Mirisavati Vihara bhikkus.
Dappula: (702 AD – 702 AD)
After Kassapa, his sister’s husband became the King.
Construction of Kataragama Devala:
King Dappula’s main achievement was the construction of Kataragama Devala in Rohana on behalf of
God Kataragama. (Mahasen Deviyo).
Dathopatissa II: (693 AD – 702 AD)
After the death of Dappula, previous King, Dathopatissa’s sister’s son, became the ruler and
consecrated as Dathopatissa II.
King Dathopatissa was sympathetic towards Abhayagiri bhikkus. He built a dwelling place for
Abhayagiri bhikkus in the land that belonged to Mahavihara bhikkus. After this incident Mahavihara
bhikkus started to turn alms bowl up side down for the King. (Alms bowl is known as “Patthara” in
Sinhalese. Bhikkus showed their displeasure to the King turning the alms bowl upside down indicating
that they are not accepting any food from the King).
Agghabodhi IV: (702 AD – 718 AD)
After Dathopatissa’s death, his son Agghabodhi became the ruler. King Agghabodhi IV was a ruler of
good conduct. He was concerned of the damage done to Mahavihara establishment and provided land
to the Mahavihara.