Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c34.414

v2.c34.414

**Lohapāsāda.**—A building at **Anurādhapura**, forming the *uposatha*-hall of the **Mahāvihāra**. It was originally built by **Devānampiyatissa**,¹ but it was then a small building erected only to round off the form of Mahāvihāra (*vihāraparipuṇṇamattasādhakam*).² Later, **Duṭṭhagāmaṇi** pulled it down and erected on its site a nine-storeyed building, one hundred cubits square and high, with one hundred rooms on each storey. The building was planned according to a sketch of the **Ambalaṭṭhikapāsāda**³ in **Bīraṇi**'s 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 **Vessavaṇa**'s **Nārīvāhana** chariot.⁴ The building was visible out at sea to a distance of one league.⁵ Once **Duṭṭhagāmaṇi** attempted to preach in the assembly-hall of the Lohapāsāda, but he was too nervous to proceed. Realizing then how difficult was the task of preachers, he endowed largesses for them in every vihāra.⁶ **Duṭṭhagāmaṇi** had always a great fondness for the Lohapāsāda, and as he lay dying he managed to have a last view of it.⁷ Thirty crores were spent on its construction; in **Saddhātissa**'s day it caught fire from a lamp, and he rebuilt it in seven storeys at a cost of nine millions.⁸