The contents of the Mahavamsa can be broadly divided into four categories:
The Buddha's Visits to Ceylon: This material recounts three legendary visits by the Buddha to the island of Ceylon.
Chronicles of Kings of Ceylon: This material consists of genealogies and lineages of kings of Ceylon, sometimes with stories about their succession or notable incidents in their reigns
History of the Buddhist Sangha: This section of the Mahavamsa deals with the mission sent by Emperor Ashoka to Ceylon, the transplantation of the bodhi tree, and the founding of the Mahavihara. It includes the names of prominent monks and nuns in the early Sri Lankan sangha. It also includes accounts of the early Buddhist councils and the first recording of the Pali canon in writing.
Chronicles of Ceylon: This material begins with the immigration of King Vijaya from India with his retinue and continues until the reign of King Mahasena, recounting wars, succession disputes, building of stupas and reliquaries, and other notable incidents.
