Mahāpāli.

1. Mahāpāli. A refectory built by Devānampiyatissa Anurādhapura, for the use of the monks (Mhv.xx.23). Various kings provided special food to be distributed there -  e.g., Upatissa II., who sent food prepared for him in the palace (Cv.xxxvii.181; so did King Silākāla, Cv.xli.28), and himself ate of the food left over after the distribution (Cv.xxxvii.203).

Mahānāma enlarged the building (Cv.xxxvii.211), as did Silāmeghavana (Cv.xliv.65) and Udaya II (Cv.li.132).

Dhātusena instituted distribution of rice (Cv.xxxviii.41), while Aggabodhi II. added to the hall and set up a stone canoe (bhattanāvam) for the distribution of rice (Cv.xlii.67; Aggabodhi I. had already given a canoe of bronze, Cv.xlii.33).

After his victory, Kassapa II., by way of celebration, held a special almsgiving at the Mahāpāli (Cv.xlv.1). Dāthopatissa II. distributed there clothing, rice, sour milk, milk and milk rice on uposatha days (Cv.xlv.25). Mahinda I. gave ten cartloads of food (Cv.xlviii.34), and Aggabodhi IX. distributed daily an amount of rice equal in weight to his own body (Cv.lxix.78). The Coliyans burnt down the building, and the last we hear of it is its restoration by Mahinda IV. (Cv.liv.45).

2. Mahāpāli. A monastic building, probably a refectory, built by Aggabodhi, son of Mahātissa, at Mahāgāma. Cv.xlv.42.

Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, G P Malalasekera (1899-1973), which is available as printed version from