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This
article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’,
the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Reverend
Sanghamitta
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King Gothabhaya addressed the young monks thus, “Stop discussing.
You have to stop the practice of these new precepts. Instead,
follow the principles so far followed by monks. This is my final
request”. The monks did not obey the king. They said they
were not prepared to change their practice.
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The king was infuriated. He said, “I am the king of the
country. Do you know, that no one in the land can disobey me?
My word is law”. The priests then said, “We know it,
Great King. But we are monks and we are free to practise the religion
the way we want. We shall not change our practice”. The
king then lost his patience. He reprimanded the monks and even
insulted them.
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As a punishment, the king said he could banish them. Brave as
they were, they were ready to accept the punishment. They went
to the country of the Cholas. There they met a monk who had learned
all kinds of philosophies. He was also a person who favoured the
‘Vaithulya’ faith. He gave board and lodging to about
60 of these new monks. This priest was named Sanghamitta. The
Sri Lankan monks who had gone there gave him all the news about
what was happening back home.
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This angered Rev. Sanghamitta. He thought of taking revenge from
the monks of Maha Vihara and Rev. Sanghapala. He came to Sri Lanka
and went to Thuparama temple. There he met Rev. Sanghapala. He
spoke to him for a while and developed a friendship. Innocent
and goodhearted Rev. Sanghapala was deceived. He gave him lodging.
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As days passed by, he even arranged for Rev. Sanghapamitta to
teach in the ‘Pirivena’. While things were going on
like this, King Gothabhaya visited the Thuparama temple. One day,
Rev. Sanghapala introduced the selfish, Chola priest, Sanghamitta
to the king. He told the king that Sanghamitta was a learned monk
who had studied a number of philosophies. Believing in all this,
the king too got friendly with him.
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A few days elapsed. Rev. Sanghamitta was behaving respectfully
towards Rev. Sanhapala. Meanwhile, at a meeting held at Thuparama,
King Gothabhaya presided. All provincial leaders participated.
Several speeches were made. In the midst of the proceedings, Rev.
Sanghapala addressed the king by name, because the king happened
to be his nephew. When he repeatedly spoke to King Gothabhaya
in this manner, Rev. Sanghamitta stood up and addressed Rev. Sanghapala
thus.
- “Rev.
Chief Priest, it is not quite fitting to address the king of the
country by his name like this”. Rev. Sanghapala looked at
him, in surprise and said, “Why can’t I do it? He
is my nephew”. Then Rev. Sanghamitta said, “To us
who are monks, these relationships do not matter. We have renounced
worldly life. The king should be addressed by his title”.
Rev. Sanghapala was greatly ashamed. He noticed the ministers
too approving of Sanghamitta’s words.
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King Gothabhaya too did not much approve of the manner in which
Rev. Sanghapala addressed him – calling him simply by his
name. He thought it not quite the proper way to address a king.
But he did not show any disapproval, because Rev. Sanghapala was
his uncle. He was happy that Rev. Sanghamitta said what he himself
was reluctant to say. At the meeting the king met Rev. Sanghamitte
and praised him. The king invited Rev. Sanghamitta to the palace.
By
Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by
Kamala Silva
Illustrated by
Saman Kalubowila
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