Mahanayaka

Mahanayaka (also spelled as Maha Nayaka, Maha Nayake) theros are high-ranking Buddhist monks who oversee and regulate the Buddhist clergy in Theravada Buddhist countries. The title Maha Nayaka translates to English as 'Great Leader' and it is considered to be a very important position held by a monk in a Theravada Buddhist country. It is usually bestowed upon the senior Buddhist monks who are appointed the chief prelates of monastic fraternities known as Nikayas.

Sri Lankan tradition

In Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, the title Mahanayaka is held by the heads of the chapters of all three main sects, Siam Nikaya (Estd. 1753), Amarapura Nikaya (Estd. 1803) and Ramanna Nikaya (Estd. 1864). Appointment of senior Buddhist monks to the Mahanayaka position in Sri Lanka began with the re-establishment of Upasampada higher ordination in 1753 on the initiatives taken by Sangharaja Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero during the reign of king Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy. The deputies of mahanayaka theros are known as Anunayaka theros (also spelled as Anu Nayaka), who generally succeed to the Mahanayaka position, after a death of an incumbent monk.[1] Next in the hierarchy are Chief Sanghanayaka theros (also spelled as Sangha Nayaka), who have the jurisdiction over monks in a region, province or a district, while the Nayaka theros have the precedence in a temple or a group of connected temples. Prominent Mahanayake theros who are presently in office and their immediate predecessors are listed below.

Present Mahanayaka theros
Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka thera presenting an honorary title to a Buddhist monk

Former Mahanayaka theros
  • Most Ven. Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya[16]
  • Most Ven. Weligama Sri Gnanaratana Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Dharmarakshitha Chapter of Amarapura Nikaya[17]

Privileges

The Mahanayaka theros of the Malwatta chapter and Asgiriya Chapter were traditionally referred by the Sri Lankan Government as the head of the Buddhist clergy in the country. As such certain state privileges have been extended since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. These include state provisions for official residences (aramayas), official vehicles and state funerals. With the formation of Supreme Mahanayaka post of Amarapura nikaya in 1969, state patronage has been extended to the Mahanayaka theros of the other nikayas as well.[18][19]

See also

References
  1. Hardy, Robert Spence (1841). The British Government and the Idolatry of Ceylon. Crofts and Blenkarn. p. 17.
  2. Basnayake, Richard (May 29, 2014). "Saga of a blissful journey". Daily News. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  3. "Makkulawe Wimala Nayaka Thera new Mahanayaka of Ramanna Nikaya". Themorning.lk. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  4. "Supreme Leader of the Sri Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake Thero". Department of Buddhist affairs' - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  5. "Guidance & advice of Maha Sangha needed for country's progress - President". The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  6. New Maha Nayaka of Dharmarakshita Nikaya of Amarapura Chapter Archived 2015-04-28 at archive.today, Daily News
  7. "Kotugoda Dhammawasa Maha Nayaka Thera dedicated himself for well-being of Sasana and country". Presidential Secretariat -Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  8. "President offers Sannas Patra to new Maha Nayaka Thera of Ramanna Nikaya". ITN. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  9. "Senior Sri Lankan Monk Ven. Napane Premasiri Thero Dies, Aged 98". Global Buddhist Door. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  10. Tribute to an erudite Mahanayake, Kumar Wettasinghe, Daily Mirror
  11. "A person who safeguarded traditions". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  12. "US, China express condolences over demise of most venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara thero". Sunday Times. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  13. "True disciple of Buddha Dhamma in word and deed". The Nation. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  14. "Karava of Sri Lanka - Buddhism". karava.org. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  15. "In celebration of 50 golden years of being a family… | Daily FT". www.ft.lk.
  16. "Most Ven. Bellana Nayaka Thera's cremation on Tuesday". The Nation. 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  17. Noble, dedicated monk of the Vajirarama tradition Archived 2015-04-28 at archive.today, Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thera, Daily News
  18. The Work of Kings
  19. Mahanayakes’ Aramayas to be taken over by the Govt.
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