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Glimpses from annals of Lanka:
Mahasen, the ‘God King’
by Sarath Madduma
King Mahasen did much harm to
Theravada Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka, yet he is remembered, respected
and regarded as a God or deity, Mahasen ‘Deviyo’ by the people of the
country after his repentance death and for the construction of temples,
stupas and reservoirs. Mahasen was the younger son of King Gotabhaya who
reigned from 254 AD to 266 AD. King Jetthatissa, Gotabhaya’s elder son
ruled the country from 266 to 275 AD.
 Jetthatissa and Mahasen were tutored by a bhikkhu called Sanghamitta
who was a follower of the Vaithulya doctrine, associated with Mahayana
Buddhism Mahasen too became a follower of Vaithulya doctrine. In fact,
bhikkhus Sanghamitta was Mahasen’s mentor and on the death of King
Gotabhaya, his elder son Jetthatissa was enthroned and reigned for ten
years from 266 AD to 275 AD. After Jetthatissa’s death his younger
brother Mahasen became King and reigned for 27 years from 275 AD to 301
AD.
Mahavihara destroyed
After the ascension of Mahasen to the throne, Mahayana bhikkhu
Sanghamitta convinced him that the bhikkhus in Mahavihara did not teach
the proper Vinaya rules (rules conducted for bhikkhus). Traditionally,
Theravada Buddhism has been the official religion of the country but
with Mahasen’s ascension to the throne he ordered the bhikkhus of
Mahavihara in Anuradhapura the largest Theravada temple to the country
to accept Mahayana teachings. They refused and Mahasen prohibited people
from offering dana or alms to Mahavihara bhikkhus.
A fine was imposed on those who violated the order consequently, the
Bhikkhus abandoned Anuradhapura and left for Ruhuna or the South of the
island. Mahavihara was desolate for nine years. Sanghamitta told Mahasen
since Mahavihara was deserted by the bhikkhus the land belonged to the
king who gave permission to destroy it. Sanghamitta sent soldiers and
destroyed Mahavihara and Lowa Maha Paaya and the land was used to
construct more buildings for Abhayagiri the Mahayana Vihara. Thus the
Mahavihara built by King Devanampiyatissa was destroyed by King Mahasen
almost 600 years later.
King dines with rebel
Mahasen’s destruction of Mahavihara and Lowa Maha Paaya distressed
his minister and confidant Meghavannabhaya that he organised an army to
fight the king. The king came with the royal army to fight the minister.
The two armies were camped on either side of the Duratissa reservoir.
The two, Mahasen and Meghavannabhaya were to fight each other the next
morning.
However, during the night Meghavannabhaya thought: I must have dinner
with my good friend King Mahasen who is camped on the other side of the
reservoir. Minister Meghavannabhaya went to the king’s camp, that night
and introduced himself.
The king allowed him in and while having dinner he asked why he
became a rebel Meghavannabhaya replied that the destruction of
Mahavihara made him a rebel. Mahasen was saddened by what he had done
and assured him that he would rebuild the vihara.
Sanghamitta killed
Sanghamitta went with men to destroy Thuparama after the destruction
of Mahavihara.
However, one of the consorts of Mahasen, won over a labourer and
entrusted him to kill Sanghamitta. Thus he was done to death as he came
to Thuparama to destroy it.
The king restored Mahavihara and many bhikkhus came to dwell in it.
He built many viharas and constructed and restored a number of
reservoirs.
Thus he gathered much merit and much sin. Mahasen’s reign brought
much prosperity to the country. In the spiritual place he built many
stupas and viharas while restoring many.
He also built many reservoirs to uplift agriculture. However, he
earned the wrath of the people by destroying Mahavihara and Lowa Maha
Paaya by and his hostility to Theravada Buddhism.
The people’s anger was reduced, after he rebuilt the Mahavihara and
developed the Minneriya Reservoir. They venerate Mahasen as a deity or
god as Minneriya Deviyo to this day. |
