Funday Times

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’, the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Reverend Sanghamitta’s plan
1. One day, Rev. Sanghamitta went to meet King Gothabhaya. The king welcomed him warmly. In the course of their conversation, the king came to realize how learned this monk was and began to like him. He requested the monk to teach his two children, Detutissa and Mahasen. The priest very willingly undertook the task as he was awaiting a chance to get close to the king.

2. The monk thought it was a good opportunity for him to achieve his ambition. He addressed the king thus, “O, great King. It is no big deal for me to teach the two princes. But where shall I teach them?” The king then asked whether it was possible to do so at the Thuparama temple. The priest then replied saying, “Oh no! I cannot do so. Rev. Sanghapala is angry with me from the day of that incident. Don’t you know that they are not very learned. He is old in years too”.

3. The king thought for a moment and said, “That is so. You can come to the palace”. Then Prince Detutissa came and sat next to his father. Rev. Sanghatissa told the king that he has to find an alternative place to live. The king then wanted to know whether he was asked to leave Thuparama. Rev. Sanghatissa, then lied to the king, saying that it would have been better if he was asked to go, without ill-treating him. Uttering falsehoods he even said that Rev. Sanghapala criticized the king.

4. This antagonized the king against his uncle Rev. Sanghapala. The king wanted to know what really was wrong with him. Rev. Sangahtissa said that all that was due to ignorance and added that Rev. Sanghapala still cherished old ideas. The king in assent said “Yes. I too realize that he doesn’t know to speak properly. But I am surprised at the change in him. Even though he is my uncle, I have been losing faith in him. What you did that day was quite right. I couldn’t say it myself”.

5. Rev. Sanghamitta smiled without uttering a word. Prince Detutissa who was there, was greatly offended at the insult levelled against his grand-uncle. He remained quiet. Rev. Sanghapala loved these princes very much and Prince Detutissa was quite aware of it. The king told Rev. Sanghamitta to leave Thuparama and go to Abhayagiri. He promised to make all the necessary arrangements there, for his stay.

6. Rev. Sanghatissa was delighted and thanked the king for taking care of him. He returned to Thuparama. Meanwhile, Rev. Sanghapala got to know that Rev. Sanghamitta visited the palace, but did not ask him anything. Several days passed. Rev. Sanghamitta continued to visit the palace, to teach the two princes. Prince Detutissa, however, did not show a liking for Rev. Sanghapala.

7. Prince Mahasen was just the opposite. He liked Rev. Sanghamitta very much and the monk too loved Prince Mahasen, more than Prince Detutissa. In the meantime, King Gothabhaya had made necessary arrangements for the priest to reside in the Abhayagiri temple. Rev. Sanghamitta, without even informing Rev. Sanghapala, left Thuparama. The king too stopped visiting Thuparama to see his uncle. He began to follow the advice of Rev. Sanghamitta.

8. As days went by Rev. Sanghapala wanted to find out why the king had stopped visiting him. He visited the palace one day and informed the door-keeper that he wanted to see the king. The door-keeper went in and came back with the reply that the king could not be met at that time as he was having a discussion with Rev. Sanghamitta. Rev. Sanghapala was deeply hurt. He was disgusted. He went back to Thuparama temple and never again did he visit the palace.

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by
Kamala Silva
Illustrated by
Saman Kalubowila

Back to Mirror Magazine