• Source: 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. 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 Thero - Mahanayaka of the Malwatta chapter of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero - Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Makkulawe Wimala Thero - Mahanayaka of Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya
Most Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thero - Acting Mahanayake of Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha




= Former Mahanayaka theros

=
Some of the former mahanayke theros who have passed away in recent years are listed below.

Most Ven. Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thero - Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya
Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera - Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya
Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya
Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera - Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya.
Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero - Former Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Thera - Former Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Thero - Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya
Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thero - Former Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya
Most Ven. Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya
Most Ven. Weligama Sri Gnanaratana Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Dharmarakshitha Chapter of Amarapura Nikaya




= 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.




See also


Agga Maha Pandita
Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Sangharaja
Sangha Supreme Council
State Saṅgha Mahā Nāyaka Committee
Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia
Thathanabaing of Burma
Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy




References






External links


Past Mahanayaka Theros in order (Asgiriya Chapter)
Past Mahanayaka Theros in order (Malwatta Chapter)

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera
• Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia
• Kuil Gigi
• Mahanayaka
• Rāmañña Nikāya
• Palane Vajiragnana Thero
• Kotugoda Dhammawasa Mahanayaka Thero
• Theravada
• Sangharaja
• Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
• Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
• Sri Piyaratana Tissa Mahanayake Thero
• Ashin Nandamālābhivaṁsa