[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v2.c31.3566 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.3566 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c31.3566 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c31.3566](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.3566) The Mahāvaṃsa Ṭīkā³ contains an account of the origin of the name. According to one theory they were so called because they rejoiced in the prosperity of their city (attānaṃ nagarasiriyā modāpīti, ettha sañjātā ti, dakārassa rakāraṃ katvā Moriyā ti laddhavohārā). They lived in a delightful land. Another theory connects the name with mora (peacock). The city which they founded had buildings of blue stone, like the neck of the peacock, and the place always resounded with the cries of peacocks. It is said that the Moriyans were originally Sākyan princes of Kapila-vatthu, who escaped to the Himālaya regions to save themselves from the attacks of Viḍūḍabha, and established a city there. Thus Asoka was a kinsman of the Buddha, for Candagutta was the son of the chief queen of the Moriyan king. The king was killed by a neighbouring ruler and the city pillaged.⁴ Asoka’s mother, Dhammā, was also a Moriyan princess.⁵ - [Previous: v2.c31.3565](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.3565) - [Next: v2.c31.3567](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.3567) - [Up: v2.c31](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.3566](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c31.3566) · Pramāṇa