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The Buddhist clergy at the Maha Pirivena of the Asgiri chapter are the disciples of Aritha thero who was the first Buddhist monk to attain higher ordination after the arrival of Mihindu thero to Ceylon. Rev.Kuntagathissa who was one of the disciples started the Dimbulagala forest heritage (Aranya) for the Buddhist clergy. His successor who became the chief incumbent was Dimbulagala Kashyapa thero. One of the disciples of Kashapa thero was Deepankara who was the founder of Yapahuwa Walasgala Forest Heritage for the Buddhist Clergy. During the days of King Parakumba, the Buddhist Priests at the Yapahuwa Forest heritage were called upon to Senkadagala.
The Asgiriya monastery lay on the hill crop to the west of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and to the north of the historic hill known as the Bahiravakanda. The monastery is said to have been founded during the period of king Parakramabahu IV (1305- 1335) of Kurunegala. The original monastery extended to the high plains where at present the Trinity College is located. As the monks from Walasgala in Yapahuva had taken residence here, this location too came to be known as Asgiri (Accagiri) which is synonymous with Walasgala.
The monastery consists of several temples, eg. Parana Pansala (Old Temple), Alutt Pansala (New Temple), Meda Pansala (Middle Temple) and the Adahana Maluva Gedige Viharaya. In the old temple, now called Wijayasundararamaya, contains the image house and an abandoned Chapter house, while the Meda Pansala contains the Chapter House corresponding to the one at Malwatta Viharaya, where all religious functions, including the Higher Ordinatons are held. The Adhana Maluwa Gedige Viharaya is a significant site in that the Polonnaruwa Alahana Parivena tradition of cremating royalty has been practised here too. It is said that queen Chandravati, mother of king Vikramabahu was cremated at the site. That this practice had been continued is, indicated by an old picture showing several funerary stupas at this site. The Gedige shrine too is significant architecturally, for it simulates the 14th century Gedige at the Natha Devale.
Towards the 21st century, there was a decline in the traditional ‘Gurukula’ education system, where a single scholar taught all the disciplines to his students at his residence. During this time in 1958, Haliya Sri Sumanathissa thero started the ‘Maha vihara Maha Pirivena’ which served as an educational institute. Soon this institute took the form of a university enabling many Buddhist Monks to learn their respective disciplines.
In 1964, Mrs. Sirimawo Bandaranayake who was the Prime –Minister offered a plot of land to the Asgiri chapter. Thereafter, there were many offerings,monetary and land ,thus enhancing the strength of the educational institute. Today the institute offers forms of disciplines to over 300 clergy. At the same time it offers social, disciplinary and educational services.
