Message from the Atamasthanadhipathi

The sacred city of Anuradhapura, the first Royal Capital of the Island Kingdom, and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka, is known in the Buddhist world as the home of the oldest historically documented tree in the world, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. It is considered the first among the Eight Sacred Sites (Ata Masthana) of this scared city, because it is the one and only living object among these sacred sites. Bodhi trees belong to the class of trees known as ‘vanaspati’, lords of the jungle, majestic trees that bear fruits apparently without blossoms.

The bodhi tree is one of the three symbols of Buddhist worship, the other two being the stupa and the Buddha image. As a result, it is more than a mere tree. It is the Buddha himself in symbolic form. Thus the Sinhala Buddhist calls it ‘Jaya Sri Maha Bodhin Vahanse’, or ‘Siri Maha Bo Hamuduruvo’. Village folk call it ‘Uda Maluve Bodhi Sami’, the Lord of the Upper Terrace, because it occupies the uppermost of the terraces (malu) at the site.

This tree was brought to the Island during the reign of the Great King Devanampiyathissa, three centuries before the dawn of the Common Era from Bodhgaya in Central India, by the famous Buddhist nun, Theree Sanghamitta, the only daughter of Emperor Dharmasoka. It was named the ‘bodhi’ tree because Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment (sambodhi) in its shade. This original tree at Bodhgaya is no more and as a result the tree at Anuradhapura becomes the oldest documented historic tree in the world. Saplings of this tree were sent to different parts of the island, and Buddhists believe that all the bodhi trees in the island today have their genetic links with this tree. Today saplings of this Tree are sent to different parts of the Buddhist world.

The Bodhi, which is also believed to be a shrine of gods, is full of spiritual powers as it has the power to cause rain and the Buddhists in general have a strong belief that offerings made to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi produce favourable changes in their life. Many periodical festivals are held to pay homage to this Tree of Wisdom.

It is with a great sense of happiness and devoutness that we invite you to visit this site and pay homage to obtain the blessings of this Holy Bodhi upon you!

Most Ven. Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero
Atamasthanadhipathi
The Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwara Kalaviya
Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Maha Seya
Bomaluwa Temple
Mahaviharaya
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka.

Administrative Structure of Anuradhapura Mahaviharaya

Anuradhapura Mahaviharaya is a highly venerated sacred monastery consisting of a large number of sacred places including the Anuradhapura Atamasthanaya. Most venerable Atamasthanadhipathi Nayaka Thero is the Chief Priest of Anuradhapura Mahaviharaya and the incumbent of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple called the Bomaluwa Temple and dwells there. The Atamasthanadhipathi Nayaka Thero is appointed with the vote of the Atamasthana Committee members. Atamasthanadhipathi Nayaka Thero appoints the ‘Viharadhikari‘ caretaker incumbents for effective administration of the other six (06) monasteries of Atamasthana where the venerable bhikkhus of the Mahaviharaya dwell. The Temples and the venerable theros holding the Atamasthanadhipathi and the Viharadhikari positions presently are as follows.

Atamasthanadhipathi Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero (Chief Priest, Nuwarakalawiya region)
Viharadhikari of Ruwanweli Maha Chaithyaramaya Most. Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thero (Chief Priest, Nuwarakalawiya region)
Viharadhikari of Lankaramaya Ven. Relapanawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thero (Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of the North Central region)
Viharadhikari of Jethawanaramaya Ven. Ihalahalmillewe Rathanapala Nayaka Thero
Viharadhikari of Abhayagiriya Dr. Ven. Kallanchiye Rathanasiri Nayaka Thero
Viharadhikari of Mirisawetiya Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Nayaka Thero
Viharadhikari of Thuparamaya Ven. Kahalle Gnanide Nayaka Thero

The ‘Lohamahaprasadaya’ belonging to the Atamasthana is the chapter house of the Mahaviharaya and no venerable bhikkhus dwell there.