Question 1

What is the Asgiriya Chapter in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The Asgiriya Chapter is one of the two main governing bodies of the Siyam Nikaya, Sri Lanka's most prominent Theravada Buddhist monastic order. It is headquartered at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya in Kandy and exercises religious authority over a large network of temples and monks across the island. The chapter was established in the 18th century as part of an effort to restore the higher ordination ceremony that had lapsed in Sri Lanka.

Question 2

Where is Asgiriya Maha Viharaya located?

Accepted Answer

Asgiriya Maha Viharaya is located on a hillside in Kandy, in Sri Lanka's Central Province. It sits above the main city and is accessible by tuk-tuk or taxi from Kandy's centre. The temple is an active monastery and is open to respectful visitors who dress appropriately and remove shoes before entering shrine areas.

Question 3

What is the difference between the Asgiriya Chapter and the Malwatta Chapter?

Accepted Answer

Both chapters belong to the Siyam Nikaya and share the same Theravada doctrinal tradition. Their differences are primarily administrative: Malwatta is associated with the western provinces and is based adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth, while Asgiriya has historically administered temples across central and upcountry regions. Both chapters participate jointly in major ceremonies such as the Esala Perahera.

Question 4

What role does the Asgiriya Chapter play in the Esala Perahera?

Accepted Answer

The Asgiriya Chapter contributes its own procession to the annual Esala Perahera in Kandy, marching alongside the Malwatta Chapter and the Dalada Maligawa procession. The chapter's contingent typically includes ceremonially decorated elephants, drummers, and traditional dancers. This participation reflects a centuries-old institutional relationship between the chapter and the Kandyan royal and religious tradition.

Question 5

Can tourists visit the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the public areas of the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya are generally open to visitors. As with all active temples in Sri Lanka, visitors should cover shoulders and legs, remove shoes before entering shrine rooms, and behave respectfully. There is typically no fixed entrance fee, though a donation to the temple is considered appropriate.

Question 6

Who is the Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter?

Accepted Answer

The Mahanayaka Thera is the supreme head of the Asgiriya Chapter and one of the most senior Buddhist ecclesiastical figures in Sri Lanka. The position is held by a senior monk elected from within the chapter's ranks and carries significant religious, cultural, and moral authority. The current Mahanayaka is regularly consulted on national and social matters of importance to Sri Lankan Buddhists.

Question 7

How does the Asgiriya Chapter contribute to Buddhist education in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The chapter oversees formal monastic education at Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and through a network of affiliated temples and Dhamma schools across the country. Monks study Pali, Buddhist philosophy, and the Vinaya code, and novice monks are trained from a young age. The chapter also supports community welfare initiatives including schools and social service programmes.

Question 8

When was the Siyam Nikaya and Asgiriya Chapter founded?

Accepted Answer

The Siyam Nikaya was founded in the mid-18th century, during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, when a delegation of monks was invited from Siam to restore the Upasampada higher ordination ceremony in Sri Lanka. The Asgiriya Chapter emerged as one of the two governing bodies of this revived order, alongside the Malwatta Chapter, and has continued in that role to the present day.

Asgiriya Chapter

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