Mahamuni - The Enlightened One

Giving an explanation to the noble character that was named as Mahamuni[1] can be done with the aid of Mahavamsa Teeka.[2]

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1. Mahasammatha rajassa wansajo hi mahamuni (Mahavamsa Teeka,Page 82)

This Mahavamsa Teeka explains that The Enlightened One, Gauthama Buddha, got this sacred name 'Mahamuni' as he was born in to the generation which is connected to the Maha Sammatha Dynasty.

In ancient times, the name called Mahamuni had been rooted in to Sri Lanka, in to the heritage of Sri Lanka. This is evident by the names used in ancient Sri Lanka. The using of the name called Mahamuni, can be proved by the references found in the texts. (Purathana Ha Madhyathana Lankawe Ithihaasika Isthaana Vistharaya, Page 232- Historical Topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon, C.W. Nicholas). In this book, the name called Mahamuni has been taken in to the chapter called "The locations unknown".

Above mentioned book reports that a village called Mahamanikagama[3] had been offered to Jethawana Monastery (Page 200). This book further says that there had been a Korala[4], a Wewa[5] and a village called Maminiya[6] situated 3 miles south-east from Maradankadawala. This place which is presently called Maminiya might have been called, in the past, Mahamunigama[7]. This doubt can be supported by many facts. One of them could be that this name, along with the time, may have been shortened for the easy use. Another fact is that the presence of some  main places where The Enlightened One had once dwelled are situated somewhere closer to this place.

(T.B-U.A)

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[1] Mahamuni is pronounced as Ma-haa-mu-nie, meaning, The Great Sage.

[2] Mahavamsa is the The Great Chronicle. Teeka  (is pronounced as Tee-Kaa) is the sub-chronicles written for Mahavamsa.

[3] Mahamanikagama is pronounced as Maha-manika-gaama.

[4] Korala is a region or a sub division of a district.

[5] Wewa is a water  reservoir

[6] Maminiya is pronounced as Maa-mi-ni-ya.

[7] Mahamunigama is pronounced as Maha-muni-gaama. .ie. the village of Mahamuni, the great Muni or sage.

Translated by Amal Meemanage (amalmeemanage@gmail.com)