RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya (, also spelled Ramanya Nikaya) was one of the three major Buddhist orders in Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1864 when Ambagahawatte Saranankara, returned to Sri Lanka after being ordained by the Neyyadhamma Munivara Sangharaja of Ratnapunna Vihara in Burma. It was one of three Sri Lankan orthodox Buddhist monastic orders, along with Siam Nikaya and Amarapura Nikaya. On 16 August 2019, the Amarapura and Rammana Nikaya were unified as the AmarapuraâÂÂRÃÂmañña NikÃÂya, making it the largest Buddhist fraternity in Sri Lanka.
RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya was said to be similar to the Thammayut Nikaya order of Thailand. RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya is currently surviving in Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka.
The Most Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera was appointed the Head of the RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya on 3 September 2012 following the demise of Venenerable Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thera aged 103.
RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya was established on 12 June 1864 in participation with Ven. Ambagahawatte Indaasabhawara Gaanasaami Maha Thera, Ven. Puwakdandawe PaññÃÂnanda, Ven. WarÃÂpitiye Sumitta Thera.
First Maha Nayaka Thera â Most Ven. Ambagahawatte Indrasabhawara Gnanasami Maha Thera. Main Station â Mà «la Maha Viharaya, Payagala, Kalutara.
In the beginning, the majority of monasteries of RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya were forest monasteries. Although many village temples have emerged in modern days, the forest tradition is still being continued by à Ârë KalyÃÂá¹Âë YogÃÂà Ârama Saá¹Âsthàof RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya which is the most strict forest tradition in Sri Lanka.
Though it has been impossible to resist completely, many old and simple traditions still survive in RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya. The monks of the Nikaya can be distinguished by the traditions such as using palm leaf umbrellas and alms bowls and covering both shoulders while traveling. "Ramanna Nikaya had its own distinctive style. They used begging bowls instead of plates. Instead of umbrellas, they used folded palmyrah leaves, in the form of âÂÂbogavaâÂÂ. The bogava introduced by Ven. Ambagahawatte Thera was made usable by C. B. Nugawela, chairman of the Up country Sabha for the Protection of Nikaya. They wore robes that were dyed according to the traditional rules."
Many of the well known Forest Meditation Masters and Forest Monasteries are said to be in the former RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya. Most Ven. Puwakdandawe PaññÃÂnanda Maha Thera was the pioneer of forest dwellers of RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya. Most Ven. Kadavedduve Jinavamsa Maha Thera was a well-known founder of à Ârë KalyÃÂá¹Âë YogÃÂà Ârama Saá¹Âsthàthe major forest sect of RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya.
Most Ven. Matara Sri Gnanarama Maha Thera, Most Ven. Matale Silarakkhita Maha Thera. Most Ven. Madawala Dhammatilaka and Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma MahÃÂthÃÂra were well-known meditation masters of RÃÂmañña NikÃÂya Forest Tradition.
The following is a list of Mahanayaka Theras of Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya.