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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
50:
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
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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.
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278:. 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.
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Most Ven. Bellana Sri
Gnanawimala Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya
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85:(Estd. 1864). Appointment of senior Buddhist monks to the Mahanayaka position in Sri Lanka began with the re-establishment of
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108:), who generally succeed to the Mahanayaka position, after a death of an incumbent monk. Next in the hierarchy are Chief
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697:
430:"Supreme Leader of the Sri Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake Thero"
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Most Ven. Karagoda
Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thero - Acting Mahanayake of Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha
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Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri
Vipassi Thera - Former Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Nikaya
702:
271:
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Most Ven. Weligama Sri
Gnanaratana Thera - Former Mahanayaka of the Dharmarakshitha Chapter of
454:"Kotugoda Dhammawasa Maha Nayaka Thera dedicated himself for well-being of Sasana and country"
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560:"US, China express condolences over demise of most venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara thero"
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Some of the former mahanayke theros who have passed away in recent years are listed below.
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116:), who have the jurisdiction over monks in a region, province or a district, while the
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The contemporary ideas shaping the world today resonate with the Buddhaās teachings
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478:"President offers Sannas Patra to new Maha Nayaka Thera of Ramanna Nikaya"
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500:"Senior Sri Lankan Monk Ven. Napane Premasiri Thero Dies, Aged 98"
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396:"Makkulawe Wimala Nayaka Thera new Mahanayaka of Ramanna Nikaya"
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is held by the heads of the chapters of all three main sects,
608:"Most Ven. Bellana Nayaka Thera's cremation on Tuesday"
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Thibbatuwawe Sri
Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka thera
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higher ordination in 1753 on the initiatives taken by
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Mahanayakesā Aramayas to be taken over by the Govt.
251:- Former Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya
683:Past Mahanayaka Theros in order (Malwatta Chapter)
678:Past Mahanayaka Theros in order (Asgiriya Chapter)
633:Noble, dedicated monk of the Vajirarama tradition
582:"True disciple of Buddha Dhamma in word and deed"
350:The British Government and the Idolatry of Ceylon
100:. The deputies of mahanayaka theros are known as
642:, Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thera, Daily News
42:who oversee and regulate the Buddhist clergy in
328:Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy
228:- Former Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of
200:- Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya
193:- Former Supreme Mahanayaka of Amarapura Nikaya
136:presenting an honorary title to a Buddhist monk
8:
610:. The Nation. 6 October 2014. Archived from
434:Department of Buddhist affairs' - Sri Lanka
143:Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero
217:- Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter of
173:- Mahanayaka of Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya
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534:"A person who safeguarded traditions"
207:- Former Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka
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458:Presidential Secretariat -Sri Lanka
364:Basnayake, Richard (May 29, 2014).
353:. Crofts and Blenkarn. p. 17.
308:State Saį¹
gha MahÄ NÄyaka Committee
274:(aramayas), official vehicles and
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523:, Kumar Wettasinghe, Daily Mirror
398:. Themorning.lk. 22 November 2020
157:Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero
521:Tribute to an erudite Mahanayake
226:Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero
241:- Former Supreme Mahanayaka of
536:. Daily Mirror. Archived from
249:Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thero
239:Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Thero
215:Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera
94:Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero
46:Buddhist countries. The title
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347:Hardy, Robert Spence (1841).
318:Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia
313:Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
191:Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thero
67:Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition
584:. The Nation. Archived from
562:. Sunday Times. 4 April 2017
419:, President's Media Division
366:"Saga of a blissful journey"
98:Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy
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198:Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera
124:Present Mahanayaka theros
96:during the reign of king
181:Former Mahanayaka theros
112:theros (also spelled as
104:theros (also spelled as
502:. Global Buddhist Door
323:Thathanabaing of Burma
303:Sangha Supreme Council
171:Makkulawe Wimala Thero
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293:Buddhism in Sri Lanka
205:Napana Pemasiri Thera
159:- Mahanayaka of the
145:- Mahanayaka of the
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61:Sri Lankan tradition
588:on 1 September 2013
540:on 12 November 2014
376:on 11 November 2014
272:official residences
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652:The Work of Kings
614:on 6 October 2014
288:Agga Maha Pandita
81:(Estd. 1803) and
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618:21 November
592:12 November
544:12 November
506:26 November
484:11 November
402:26 November
380:11 November
75:Siam Nikaya
48:Maha Nayaka
32:Maha Nayaka
692:Categories
463:2021-07-29
439:2021-07-29
370:Daily News
334:References
298:Sangharaja
265:Privileges
247:Most Ven.
237:Most Ven.
224:Most Ven.
213:Most Ven.
203:Most Ven.
196:Most Ven.
189:Most Ven.
169:Most Ven.
155:Most Ven.
141:Most Ven.
132:Most Ven.
106:Anu Nayaka
91:Sangharaja
87:Upasampada
71:Mahanayaka
28:Mahanayaka
703:Theravada
102:Anunayaka
44:Theravada
18:Anunayaka
636:Archived
282:See also
566:25 July
54:Nikayas
118:Nayaka
36:theros
480:. ITN
620:2014
594:2014
568:2017
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