• Rohana

1. Rohana. Grandfather of Migāra Rohaneyya (q.v.). AA.ii.697.

2. Rohana. A brahmin, grandson of Pekkhuniya. He was a friend of the Licchavi Sālha, and a visit paid by both of them to Nandaka is recorded in the Anguttara Nikāya. A.i.193f.

3. Rohana. A Sākiyan prince, one of the brothers of Bhaddakaccānā. He went over to Ceylon and there founded a settlement which was named after him. Mhv.ix.10; Dpv. x.6.

4. Rohana. One of the three main provinces of early Ceylon comprising the south eastern part of the island, the Mahāvālukanadī forming its northern boundary. It was probably colonized by Rohana (3). The capital of the province was Mahāgāma. When the northern parts of the island were in the hands of foreigners or usurpers, the Singhalese court, its nobles and loyalists, often sought refuge in Rohana. It seems, for the most part, to have been very little controlled from the capital, and many rebellions against the ruler of the capital originated in Rohana. See Dutthagāmani and Vijayabāhu; also, e.g., Mhv.Xxiii.13; xxxiii.37; xxxv.27f., 67, 125; Cv.xxxviii.12, 39; xli.89ff.; xliv.54; xlviii.59, etc.

In times of persecution and scarcity the Buddhist monks found patronage and shelter among the inhabitants of Rohana (E.g., Mhv.xxxvii.6). Even till about 600 A.C., Rohana was regarded as a separate kingdom, holding, or at least claiming to hold, an independent position beside Anurādhapura (See, e.g., Cv.xlv.41).

5. Rohana. See Rohanta.

6. Rohana Thera. When Assagutta summoned the heads of the Order to a conference regarding the heresy of Milinda, Rohana was lost in meditation, and a messenger had to be sent to fetch him. As punishment for this, he was charged with the task of persuading Nāgasena to join the Order. To achieve this purpose, Rohana had to visit the house of Nāgasena's father, Sonuttara, during seven years and ten months, without ever receiving even a kind word, till, at last, one day Sonuttara was pleased with his kindness and courtesy and gave him food daily at the house. When Nāgasena grew up and learnt the Vedas, Rohana engaged him in discussion, as a result of which Nāgasena joined the Order under Rohana, who, as his first preceptor, taught him the Abhidhamma. One day, Nāgasena thought lightly of his teacher, and Rohana, reading his thoughts, chided him. Nāgasena begged his forgiveness, but Rohana said he would forgive him only if he succeeded in refuting Milinda's heretical views. Mil. 7ff.

7. Rohana. Headman of the village of Kitti and father of Theraputtābhaya. Rohana was a supporter of Mahāsumma Thera, and, having heard him preach at the Kotapabbata vihāra, he became a sotāpanna and joined the Order, later attaining arahantship. Mhv.xxiii.55ff.