Mahasena
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1. Mahasena. A deva living in Ketumati Palace to the east of Vejayanta. At the request of Sakka and of members of the Order, led by Assagutta, he was born in the world of men as Nagasena. Mil. 6f.
2. Mahasena. A brahmin, friend of Vanganta, father of Sariputta. He was poor, and, out of compassion for him, Sariputta came to his house for alms. Twice Mahasena hid himself, having nothing to give, but, one day, receiving a bowl of rice porridge and a small piece of cloth, he thought of Sariputta. The Elder had just risen from a trance, and, becoming aware of Mahasenas desire, he visited him, and was given the porridge and the piece of cloth with a prayer from Mahasena, May I realize the Truth you have seen. After death, Mahasena was born as the novice and was called Vanavasi Tissa. DhA.ii.84.
3. Mahasena. Younger son of King Gothabhaya. He became king of Ceylon (334-361 A.C.), and under the advice of his teacher Sanghamitta and his minister Sona, he despoiled Mahavihara and enriched Abhayagiri. He issued a decree that no one should give alms to the monks of Mahavihara. But, later, his friend and minister, Meghavannabhaya, convinced him of his error, and he became a supporter of Mahavihara. Soon after, however, he fell under the influence of a monk, named Tissa, and built Jetavanavihara in the precincts of Mahavihara, despite the protests of the monks. Tissa was later expelled from the Order. The king built the Manihira, Gokanna, Erakavilla, Kalandagama, Migagama, Gangasenakapabbata, Dhatusenapabbata, Kokavata, Ruparama, and Hulapitthi viharas and two nunneries Uttara and Abhaya. He also built sixteen tanks and a great canal called Pabbatanta. (Dpv.xxii.66 76; Mhv.xxxvii.1ff).
Sirimeghavanna was the son of Mahasena. Cv.xxxvii.53.
4. Mahasena. A king of India who ruled in Pataliputta. He fed one thousand monks daily; but, not satisfied with that, he went to Uttaramadhura, where he labored in disguise, giving alms with the wages so earned. Cv.xcii.23ff.
5. Mahasena.A king of Pataliputta. He and his sister worked with their own hands and gave alms to 500 monks from Piyangudipa, among whom was Mahasiva (8). The monk wished that they should see their alms being eaten by the monks in Piyangudipa. Ras.i.72f
