The Administration of the Atamasthana at Anuradhapura

This short paper deals with the administration of the Buddhist monastic complex known as the Atamasthana in Anuradhapura. The term Atamasthana connotes eight ancient Buddhist sacred shrines at Anuradhapura. i.e. Sri Maha Bodhiya, (the sacred Bodhi tree / Udamaluwa), Thuparamaya, Mirisawetiya, Lowamahapaya, Ruwanweliseya, Lankaramaya, Abeyagiriya and Jetavanaramaya. Its scope is limited mainly to the 19th century when Sri Lanka remained under Britain rule.

It was and indeed still is the Buddhist monastic practice for a few exceptions, for the incumbent monk of the particular temple to be responsible for its administration and that of its properties. The Atamasthana establishment at Anuradhapura presents a set up which seems to be rather unique in the administration and management of the temples and their properties. It is interesting to note that the Atamasthana Committee, which consisted of a predominantly lay membership till the middle of the present century, is still responsible for the administration of the Atamasthana whereas the Atamasthanadhipathi and the head of the Bulankulama family, (the lay custodian of the Bo-tree temple) take charge of the affairs under the direction of the Atamasthana Committee. A practice of this nature does not exist any where in Sri Lanka in the administration of temples and temporalities. Therefore, this paper seeks is to examine the role played by the three the Atamasthana establishment, i.e. the Atamasthana Committee, the Atamasthanadhipathi and the head of the Nuwarawewa family. (Bulankulama family)

The chief monks of the Atamasthana is know as the Atamasthanadhipathi, customarily resident at the Bo-Maluwa Pansala or the temple of the Bo-tree. The Atamasthanadhipathi is also referred to as the Anunayaka of the Atamasthana. According to the letter sent by the Mahanayaka thera of the Malwatte chapter in Kandy to the Government Agent at Jaffna the title Anunayaka here meant the Deputy chief prelate of the monastic order in Sri Lanka. (SLNA 41/154, 15 Feb, 1851; 41/163, 22 May 1856) As we know, the monastic order in Sri Lanka was reorganized during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-80) under the guidance and patronage of Welivita Sri Saranankara Thero. Perhaps, under this reorganization the office of the Atamasthanadhipathi or Anunayake of Atamasthana may have been reintroduced or newly established. Since there is no evidence as to the origin of the post of the Atamasthanadhipathi there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of this post atleast from the Kandyan times. 

The Anunayake of the Atamasthana was independent of the Mahanayake of Kandy (Ibid) This was the most distinctive feature in the monastic set up, since every other Anunayaka of the island was subordinate to the Mahanayaka because they received their appointment from him and the Sangaha Sabawa (Ecclesiastical Body) of the chapter. As the Anunayake of the Atamasthana belonged to the Malwatta chapter of the Siamese sect, the Mahanayaka of Kandy exercised disciplinary authority over him only in his capacity as a monk, but not as the Anunayaka. If he was found guilty of any offence unbecoming of a

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