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Younger brother of Bhātikābhaya and king of Ceylon for
twelve years (67-79 A.C.). He made a courtyard of
kincikkha stones on plaster round the Mahā Thūpa, and built the Ambatthala thūpa,
making it firm at the risk of his own life. He placed chairs for the preachers
in all the vihāras of Ceylon, and laid out the grounds round Cetiyagiri, holding
a great celebration called the Giribhandapūjā (q.v.). From the Kadambanadī to
Cetiyagiri he laid carpets for the comfort of pilgrims. He built the
Manināgapabbata, the Kalanda, the Samudda, and the Cūlānāgapabbata Vihāras, and
gave land for the use of monks in Pāsānadīpaka and Mandavāpi Vihāras in
gratitude for favours shown him by novices of these monasteries. He had two
sons, Amandagāmani Abhaya and Kanirajānutissa, both of whom succeeded to the
throne. Mhv.xxxiv. 68ff.; xxxv.l.9; Dpv. xxi.34.
He had a queen called Tamildevī (apparently a Tamil lady)
who died young. AA.i.13.

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