King Amandagamani Abhaya - House of Moriya i | Anuradhapura - (22 - 31) - Sri Lankan History - Kings - Governors - Prisidents

King Amandagamani Abhaya

House of Moriya i | Anuradhapura - (22 - 31)

King Mahadathika Mahanaga, who illuminated the entire island with lamp offerings, had two sons. The eldest son was Amadagamin Abhaya. After the king’s passing, he ascended the throne. This prince, during his father’s reign, appears to have served as the deputy ruler of the kingdom, acting as the crown prince in the southern region. It is important to consider the names of these kings. Various interpretations exist regarding some names used for kings in the Sinhala Mahavamsa. This king’s name is recorded in both the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa as Amadagamini Abhaya. In other chronicles such as Rajavaliya and Rajaratnakara, it is given in shortened forms, and in inscriptions, he is recorded as Dewanagami Abhaya, Amadagamini Akha, or Gamini Abhaya. The Mahavamsa states that the reason Amadagamini Abhaya was given the epithet “Amadagami” was because he would collect all the fruits from his gardens, combine them, and donate them as a gift called “Makomadu.” It is questionable whether a king could receive a name from the giving of fruits. Yet the inscriptions also use the word “Amad,” so this cannot be dismissed. In the 8th century Sigiri Songs, the word “Amad” appears, meaning the fruits called “Panikomadu.” In the context of the Dipavamsa, “Amad” refers to a kind of berry or Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica). The local medical lexicon confirms this meaning. The word “Amad” does not carry the meaning of “Komadu,” indicating that “Amad” likely has another hidden meaning, or at least, in the Sinhala linguistic tradition, it was represented as “Amad.” It may also reflect that the king presided over a plant-eating society. The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa give brief accounts of Amadagamini Abhaya’s deeds. He first had another umbrella installed on the Mahathupa, constructing its base and elevated platform. Earlier, King Bhathikabhaya had installed the platform of the Mahathupa, as mentioned in a previous section. Why did this king, who ascended the throne 34 years later, have to construct another platform? Initially, the platforms of stupas were made of wood. Each stupa’s upper structure, including the platform, had to be oiled for protection every three years. Therefore, it can be understood that the platform of the Ruwanweliseya stupa, originally made by King Bhathikabhaya in wood, was reconstructed during this period by King Amadagamini Abhaya. He also added inner structures and roofing to the Lovamahapaya and Thuparama Uposatha halls. According to the chronicles, this king also built the Rapthalen Vihara. It is believed that the silver used in the construction of the Ruwanmali stupa by King Dutugemunu came from Rajathalena. It was located in Ambatthakola Danawewa, corresponding to the modern Ridi Vihara in Vavuniya. An inscription mentions that King Amadagamini Abhaya donated two villages to the temple for his descendants. Another inscription records the construction of a stairway by him. It appears that the Ridi Vihara offerings took place before his reign. His name does not include the title “king,” suggesting that this occurred when he acted as the ruler of the southern region. Additionally, another inscription from the western province records that the king made a water canal for the Akha Vihara (Abhaya Vihara). Records of irrigation projects commissioned by King Mahagamanedavapi indicate that he constructed a tank in the southern region. This is corroborated in the translation of Mahavamsa by Ven. Hikkadu Sri Sumangala Nahimi and Batwantuda Pandi Thuma, which notes that a southern tank was constructed and dedicated to the southern temple. This tank still remains unidentified. King Amadagamini Abhaya enforced laws across the island, prohibiting the killing of animals. Some interpretations suggest he followed the example of Emperor Ashoka. In a society nurtured by the Buddha’s teachings, prohibiting the slaughter of animals was a way to integrate the first precept of the five precepts into daily life. He ensured that both humans and animals could live safely and peacefully. By directing attention to fruits and gardens, he promoted public health and non-violence. When the prince Amadagamini ascended the throne, it appears there may have been a shift in the customary succession practice. This is because, during this period, the southern region already had a ruler who was the son of King Bhathikabhaya. As noted earlier, kingship usually passed from brother to brother. After the line of brothers ended, the eldest brother’s son became king. Therefore, after King Mahadathika Mahanaga, the rightful heir should have been Rohini Gamini Abhaya, the son of King Bhathikabhaya. However, the throne was taken by the son of Mahadathika Mahanaga, Amadagamini Abhaya. Both were contemporaries. Despite this change, no records mention any conflict. Perhaps, with the consent of King Mahadathika Mahanaga, this prince acted as ruler of the Rohana region. It is clear that the two sons of the two brothers were connected through friendship and brotherhood. Rohini Abhaya appears to have acted as an independent ruler in the Rohana region. The reign of King Amadagamini Abhaya lasted 9 years and 8 months. He granted protection to all living beings, yet he faced the misfortune of losing his brother through death. The period from King Makalanthisa (Kootakannatissa) to King Amadagamini Abhaya marks a unique phase in the history of Lanka. During this time, there were no foreign invasions, and the island remained free of internal unrest. Because kings did not kill others out of ambition, the common people were able to live in peace, and no princes were born during this time. Both kings and citizens lived together in harmony and cooperation, a period unparalleled in the history of the country.