Mahanayaka

Mahanayaka (also spelled as Maha Nayaka, Maha Nayake) Theras 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.

Mahanayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas
Mahanayaka Thera – Siam Nikaya (Malwathu Chapter)
Mahanayaka Thera – Siam Nikaya (Asgiri Chapter)
Supreme Mahanayaka Thera – Amarapura Sangha Sabha
Mahanayaka Thera – Ramanna Nikaya
① Siam Nikaya (Malwathu Chapter)
NameThibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera
PositionMahanayaka Thera
Term2004–present
② Siam Nikaya (Asgiri Chapter)
NameWarakagoda Gnanarathana Thera
PositionMahanayaka Thera
Term2017–present
③ Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha
NameKaragoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thera
PositionSupreme Mahanayaka Thera
Term2024–present
④ Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya
NameMakulewe Wimala Thera
PositionMahanayaka Thera
Term2022–present

Sri Lankan tradition

Mahanayaka position in Sri Lanka was formed with the re-establishment of Upasampada in 1753 on the initiatives taken by Sangharaja Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thera during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha.

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 Thera during the reign of King of Kandy Kirti Sri Rajasinha.

The deputies of Mahanayaka Theras are known as Anunayaka Theras (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 Theras (also spelled as Sangha Nayaka), who have the jurisdiction over monks in a region, province or a district, while the Nayaka Theras have the precedence in a temple or a group of connected temples. Prominent Mahanayake Theras who are presently in office and their immediate predecessors are listed below.

Present Mahanayaka Theras

Most Ven. Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera having a discussion with prime minister of India and president of Sri Lanka.

Former Mahanayaka Theras

Some of the former Mahanayke Theras who have died in recent years are listed below.

Privileges

The Mahanayaka Theras 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 Theras of Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas as well.

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. ↑ The contemporary ideas shaping the world today resonate with the Buddha’s teachings Archived 2024-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, President's Media Division
  4. ↑ "Makkulawe Wimala Nayaka Thera new Mahanayaka of Ramanna Nikaya". Themorning.lk. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Kotugoda Dhammawasa Maha Nayaka Thera dedicated himself for well-being of Sasana and country". Presidential Secretariat -Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  7. ↑ "President offers Sannas Patra to new Maha Nayaka Thera of Ramanna Nikaya". ITN. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Senior Sri Lankan Monk Ven. Napane Premasiri Thero Dies, Aged 98". Global Buddhist Door. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  9. ↑ Tribute to an erudite Mahanayake, Kumar Wettasinghe, Daily Mirror
  10. ↑ "A person who safeguarded traditions". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "US, China express condolences over demise of most venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara thero". Sunday Times. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "True disciple of Buddha Dhamma in word and deed". The Nation. Retrieved 12 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ The Work of Kings
  14. ↑ Mahanayakes’ Aramayas to be taken over by the Govt.