Lohapasada, Lohapāsāda, Loha-pasada: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Lohapasada means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Lohapasada in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A building at Anuradhapura, forming the uposatha hall of the Mahavihara. It was originally built by Devanampiyatissa (see Mhv.xv.205), but it was then a small building erected only to round off the form of Maha vihara (viharaparipunnamattasadhakam) (MT. 364). Later, Dutthagamani pulled it down and erected on its site a nine storey building, one hundred cubits square and high, with one hundred rooms on each storey. The building was planned according to a sketch of the Ambalatthikapasada (the actual Ambalatthika (q.v.) of the Lohapasada was to the east of the building, DA.ii.635) in Biranis palace which eight arahants obtained from the deva world. The building was roofed with copper plates, hence its name. The nine storeys were occupied by monks, according to their various attainments, the last four storeys being reserved for arahants. In the centre of the hall was a seat made in the shape of Vessavanas Narivahana chariot (for details see Mhv.xxvii.1ff). The building was visible out at sea to a distance of one league (MT. 505). Once Dutthagamani attempted to preach in the assembly hall of the Lohapasada, but he was too nervous to proceed. Realizing then how difficult was the task of preachers, he endowed largesse for them in every vihara (Mhv.xxxii.42ff). Dutthagamani had always a great fondness for the Lohapasada, and as he lay dying he managed to have a last view of it (Mhv.xxxii.9). Thirty crores were spent on its construction; in Saddhatissas day it caught fire from a lamp, and he rebuilt it in seven storeys at a cost of nine millions.

Khallatanaga built thirty two other pasadas round the Lohapasada for its ornamentation (Mhv.xxxiii.6), while Bhatikabhaya carried out various repairs to the building (Mhv.xxxiv.39), and Ananda gamani added an inner courtyard and a verandah (ajira) (Mhv.xxxv.3). Sirinaga I. rebuilt it in five storeys (Mhv.xxxvi.25,52), Abhayanaga built a pavilion in the courtyard and Gothabhaya had the pillars renewed (Mhv.xxxvi.102).

He evidently started to rebuild the structure, because we are told (Mhv.xxxvi.124) that, after his death, his son Jetthatissa completecd up to seven storeys the Lohapasada which had been left unfinished (vippakata) by his father.

The building was worth one crore, and Jetthatissa offered to it a jewel worth sixty thousand, after which he renamed it Manipasada. Afterwards Sona, a minister of his brother, the renegade king Mahanama, acting on the advice of heretical monks led by Sanghamitta, destroyed the pasada and carried away its wealth to enrich Abhayagiri vihara (Mhv.xxxvii.10f,59).

Mahanamas son, Sirimeghavanna, had the pasada restored to its original form (Mhv.xxxvii.62), and, later, Dhatusena renovated it (Mhv.xxxviii.54), as did Aggabodhi I.,

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Lohapasada in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

lohapāsāda : (m.) name of the palatial chapter house in Anurādhapura, which was covered with copper tiles.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Lohapāsāda refers to: “copper terrace, ” brazen palace, N. of a famous monastery at Anurādhapura in Ceylon Vism. 97; DA. I, 131; Mhvs passim.

Note: lohapāsāda is a Pali compound consisting of the words loha and pāsāda.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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