Sri Lanka Monasteries

Information about Meditation Centers, Forest Monasteries, and other important places in Sri Lanka for Western bhikkhusand serious lay practitioners. Updated: January 2005. Introduction In Sri Lanka there are many forest hermitages and meditation centres which can be suitable for western practitioners of Buddhism whether they are monastics or laymen. The following information is particularly for Westernern bhikkhus, or those who aspire to become bhikkhus, or those who are very serious lay-practioners. For less serious laypractioners another paper has been written called: “Information about Meditation Centers and other important places in Sri Lanka for Western Buddhist lay practitioners.’’ Factors such as climate, food, noise, standards of Discipline (Vinaya), and accessibility have been taken into consideration with regards the places listed. The place where the monastery is gives a good indication about its climate. In the SW low-country the climate is tropical, i.e., hot and humid. The eastern low country has a dry season between May and October. The South West (roughly between Mātara, Colombo, and Ratnapura) is the so-called “wet-zone” where two monsoons a year take place (May-June, November-January). The so-called “dry-zone” (this is an exaggeration as it can rain heavily here too at times) is in the East, North, and South. Only one main monsoon (Nov-Dec) takes place there. The deep South (the coastal area between Ambalantota and Pānama) and the far North (Northern coast & Jaffna peninsula) are the driest areas in S.L. The upcountry is the hilland mountain-area in the center of Sri Lanka (roughly between Mātale, Badulla, Haputale, and Ratnapura). Here the climate is temperate and it can get cool at night. It is generally a more agreeable climate than the low-country for westerners. In the SW up-country areas such as the Singharāja rainforest and the Sri Pada Wilderness areas it rains the most, so much so that it can be impossible to dry one’s robes etc. for days after washing. The food is generally everywhere the same all the time in Singhalese areas, fairly plain and simple. It can be quite spicy compared to Western food. In the cities the food can be more nutritious while in poor rural areas the food can be quite unnutritious. Many people in Sri Lanka don’t eat meat or fish. As a monk one might receive a bit of fish, but hardly ever meat or eggs. The medical care in government hospitals is free for monks in Sri Lanka and for those who are seriously ill there are bhikkhu-wards in the bigger hospitals. Medical care and hygiene are not of the same standards as they generally is in the west, but the doctors usually do their best to help sick bhikkhus. There are quite a few doctors and dentists who have trained and worked in the West. The monastery one is connected to will help if one needs medicines or medical care. The best hospitals are the Apollo and Navaloka hospitals in Colombo, but they are private hospitals and expensive. The same doctors who work in the private hospitals also work in government hospitals, but the equipment and facilities in government hospitals are of a lesser standard. Dentists often help monks for free. There are some good dentists, some trained in the West, in Sri Lanka who can do the same work as dentists in the West. 2 Sri Lanka is a great place for practising patience, simplicity, renunciation, and humility. The Singhalese people support monks with the basic requisites but in general monks don’t get more than that because the people believe that monks should live simply. Conditions in monasteries can be very simple and uncomfortable for those used to the luxuries and comforts of the west. Monasteries are not rich in Sri Lanka and only few monasteries have a monastery car. One will have to get used to taking public transport or walking when one wants to go somewhere. Bhikkhus who don’t use money can use special coupons with which one can travel on government busses. Bhikkhus do not get showered with requisites in Sri Lanka and are not so highly respected and honoured as in Thailand or Burma. Bhikkhus from Thailand have to get used to things which are never done in Thailand. The body language and ways of talking of Singhalese people or monks can appear disrespectful to monks used to being in Thailand. Loudspeakers can possibly be quite a disturbance in Sri Lanka, as in Asia in general. There are only a few places which completely escape the sound of the Paritta-chanting blasted from village-temples on Poya-days. Sri Lanka used to be a British colony and there are many Singhalese people who can speak English well, especially in Colombo and other big towns, however, in remote country-side areas it can be more difficult to find English speakers. Nevertheless, in almost every village there will be (or is supposed to be) an English teacher in the village school who will be keen to practise his English and can help with translating if necessary. In the bigger monasteries there usually are a few monks who can speak English, but in the more remote and smaller monasteries there might not be English speakers. It is not difficult to learn colloquial Sinhala and people are usually helpful and understanding. It is generally easier for Buddhist monks to get a visa in Sri Lanka than in other Buddhist countries. In Sri Lanka Buddhist monks get a free one year residence visa which can be extended every year. One needs to get a letter of recommendation for a visa from the incumbent of the monastery one stays in or is connected to, then one needs to go with this letter and the so-called “application form to obtain a letter of recommendation to extend the residence visa” (available at major monasteries and/or the Ministery of Buddhist Affairs in Colombo) to the secretary monk of the district (lekhakādhikāri handuruwo) and get the application form signed and stamped by him, then this form needs to be signed and stamped by the secretary of the Provincial Council (kacceri). When this is done one can go to Colombo to the Ministery of Buddhist Affairs (opposite the Mahadevi park, behind the old Townhall in Colombo 7) and get a recommendation letter from the secretary there for the Immigration. (Also get an application form for next year.) For the first time application for a residence visa one needs to bring along two or three passport pictures. (They can be made in a shop at the immigration itself [downstairs near the main entrance].) The immigration is next to the Bambalapitiya train-station, off Galle Face Rd. It is best to telephone the district secretary monk before one goes to him and make an appointment as it is possible that he is often away from his monastery. At the Ministery of Buddhist Affairs one generally waits less than one hour and at the immigration usually one and a half hours, maybe more. One can go to the Ministery of Buddhist Affairs in the morning, have lunch there (they will provide you a lunch if you ask them) and then go by bus to the Immigration after lunch. 3 The standards of discipline vary from tradition to tradition, and from monastery to monastery. In Sri Lanka there is not such a strong tradition of refined teacher- and monastery-duties as there is in the Thai Forest traditions. The Galdūwa Forest Tradition is the strictest vinaya tradition in Sri Lanka and the bhikkhus strictly follow the commentarial traditions. In the forest monasteries and meditation centres which are not affiliated to Galdūwa generally the vinaya standards are a bit less strict, but still reasonable. [In many city and village temples and pirivenas (not listed in this work) the vinaya-standards can be bad, like everywhere in Asia.] Usually the tradition a monastery or meditation centre belongs to is given as it gives an indication what the practice is like in a place. There are many traditions in Sri Lanka. The main ones are: The Ka yāna Yogāshramaya Sa sthāva or Galdūwa tradition is an independent part of the Rāmañña Nikāya. The headquarter is in Galdūwa, near Ambalangoda. This tradition is keeping a strict standard of Vinaya, the strictest in Sri Lanka. It is the largest forest-sect in Sri Lanka. There probably are close to a hundred centres affiliated to this tradition. The monks are easily recognised by the palm-leaf umbrella they carry and by the habit of wearing the double robe whenever they go outside the monastery boundaries. Members of all castes are accepted. Bhikkhus from other traditions who wish to become resident at one of their monasteries, are usually expected to undergo the so-called da hikamma (confirmation) at Galdūwa, a short ceremony intended to reconfirm the original uasampadā in accordance with the Galdūwa standards. After this legal action newcomers are accepted according to their normal seniority. The Deldūwa group is a small group of forest monasteries. It is an older forest division of the Rāmañña Nikāya, but not affiliated to Galdūwa. The Mahāvihāra Va shika Shyāmopāli Vanavāsa Nikāya or Waturawila group has over 80 branch monasteries throughout the country. The Vinaya standards are not so strict as in the Galdūwa group, but are generally reasonable. Only members of the high caste are accepted for upasampadā. The headquarter of this group is in Waturawila in Gālla district. The Kanduboda group or Swejin Nikāya chapter of the Amarapura nikāya is a group of monasteries connected to the Kanduboda International Meditation Centre. It originates in the Burmese Swejin Nikāya and follows the Mahāsi meditation technique tradition of Burma. It has reasonable standards of Vinaya. There are about twenty small meditation centers connected to this tradition in and near towns. Most are of no significance for westerners. The Tapovana group or Ka yānava sa chapter of the Amarapura Nikāya is a small group of semi forest monasteries usually situated near major towns. The headquarter is near Colombo. Usually the Mahāsi meditation method is practised. Reasonable standards of Vinaya. Information on the formation and history of the forest traditions in Sri Lanka can be found in Michael Carrither’s book called “The Forest Monks of Sri Lanka”, Oxford 1983. Western monks are usually regarded highly by Singhalese as they have not gone forth out of cultural or economic reasons. There are probably quite a few small places and new places which are not listed in this paper. Frequently new monasteries are built and old ones abandoned. i as the i in ink. in Kurunegala . This makes it easier to pronounce the place name and make oneself understood to the local people. and Mātara districts. sometimesit was not clear exactly in which district a place is located. Sometimes abbots or teachers in a place are listed. things can change quickly.S. a as the a in another. see W. The transliteration of Sinhala characters has been added when it was known and considered useful. However.4 The greatest concentrations of forest-monasteries are in the Western side of the country. The v/w is pronounced mid-way between the English v and w. In the higher mountain areas there are also few monasteries because the Singhalese generally find it too cold up there. If one wishes to practice independently and is not looking for a big guru then Sri Lanka can be a great place. The monasteries and meditation centres have been arranged according to districts. ix ff and the Guide to Pronunciation in “The Forest Monks of Sri Lanka” by Michael Carrithers. However. Due to the war there are very few active forest-monasteries in the northern and eastern districts although there are ruins of ancient ones in many places. if Tamil people see that one is a genuine practioner of Dhamma and is not there on a political mission then they will be helpful. as is the case in sa sāra. is pronounced long drawn like the a in taxi spoken by a New Yorker. Colombo. He attracted some local journalists and his motives were questioned several times. and leave more space to others. In non Singhalese areas in the North and East one might sometimes be less warmly received as some Singhalese bhikkhus are involved in politics and the the army. are more individualistic than the Thais. but there are monks. Generally. because no map with district-boundaries was available. and laypractitioners who can give useful instructions and help one along the way. ā as the a in art. For longer stays in a monastery one needs to ask permission to the abbot and it is normally readily granted if there is place. the u as the u in put. For more information on the correct pronunciation of Sinhala. and needs to be. and o as the o in own (but before a conjunct consonant as in orange). The Singhalese. The character æ is pronounced as the Enlgish e in end or a in cat. even if one is a Singhalese bhikkhu. but out of a sincere desire to practice the Dhamma. more independent in Sri Lanka. the ū as the u in prudent. nuns. Even if there is no monastery in a village one can stay in the school. In general one can. Gālla. but. The w has been used in this work. Karunatillake’s “An Introduction to Spoken Sinhala” p. esp. There is not such a strong teacher-tradition in Sri Lanka as in Thailand and Burma. This paper is as comprehensive and exact as possible but a lot of the information is based on old memories and lists. ī as the ee in eel. western monks are welcome anywhere and travelling western monks are normally welcome to stay in any monastery for the night. One Singhalese bhikkhu walking barefoot from the South to Jaffna had no major problems and received generous pi apāta even in LTTE controlled areas. and then place has been put in the . etc. like Indians. e as the a in age (but before a conjunct consonant as in end and thus the same as æ). : Bhāvanā Madhyasthānaya/Meditation Centre.: Aranya. E: East.Dhammajīva. Mithirigala 11742 (Tel: 071-749-134). N: North.5 most likely district. The most reknown meditation centre in Sri Lanka. Good support and food for Sri Lankan . MC: Meditation Centre/ Bhāvanā Madhyasthānaya S. Major places for Westerners who are new to Sri Lanka. Ānandajoti and Ven.: Senāsanaya. He mostly teaches Mahāsi method. Michael Carrithers . outdated and slightly incorrect information can sometimes be better than none at all. Ven. FM: The Forest Monks of Sri Lanka. BM. Large. Please send any suggestions with regards this list to: Bhikkhu Nyanatusita Forest Hermitage Udawattakele PO Box 61 Kandy Abbreviations: A.: Yogāshramaya. About 20 resident monks. forest monastery 30 kms E of Colombo. Dhammara si also speaks good English and teaches Samatha meditation. Oxfor. Y. VPM: Vipassana Meditation Centre. Strict standards of Discipline and little talking. W: West. 100 hectare. Ven. S: South. Humid and hot climate. Ñā aramita helped with proofreading this new paper and gave many valuable suggestions. Belongs to the Galdūwa tradition. AS. Nissarana Vanaya or Meetirigala A. The present meditation teacher. Ven. IVMC: International Vipassana Meditation Centre.: Tapovanaya. Dhammasīha and made available on the Metta Lanka website.: Aranya Senāsanaya. This paper is based on a much more basic list made five years ago by Ven.: Dharmāshramaya. T. 1983. DA. Given the lack of availabiltity of useful information in Sri Lanka. speaks excellent English and has meditated for a long time under Sayadaw U Pandita. Dense low-country jungle on a hill. It has a good English section in the library. Tel: 075-452453. Normally there are only few duties and a lot of independent practice possible. but none have taken the Pabbajā and Upasampadā so far here. From Colombo take a Kirindivela Bus at Central Bus stand in Pættah. walk from there. a junior Singhalese bhikkhu. He speaks excellent English and has experience with the Pa Auk method. Get down at Melsiripura on the Kurunegala . Dodandūwa. The most prominent meditation place in the Galdūwa Sansthāva. A new meditation hall and some ku is are being built on top of one of the hills. Polgasdūwa. Bowalawatta. clean. It generally is quite humid and hot and there is some noise the flying foxes and egrets roosting in the trees and also from temples. Ñā avimala. very neat. One needs to write the abbot before one comes so that he can arrange to have you picked up with the boat. University Forest Solitude or Bowalawatta A. Cool climate.) (Don’t take the bus to Ameetirigala which is further away. with 2 of his (Singhalese) disciples. If coming from the Ratanapura side one can take a bus to Ameetirigala from Awissawella and ask the driver to stop at the Meetirigala junction. Nā Uyana Ariyadhamma (often in Galdūwa). Sanāthavihari thera is here occasionally. the bus leaves close to the Bodhi tree outside the station. from there take bus to Pansiyagama. and fishermen around the lake. Western as well as Asian. In Kirindiwælla. then go to Kirindiwela. Many foreign bhikkhus. He normally stays at Katupotha Kanda Aranya near Anuradhapura. who speaks good English and has an excellent knowledge of the Pa Auk Samatha and Vipassana methods. The road to the monastery is in very bad condition and full of potholes. Ven. About 8 km from Kandy town. Ven. Well organised. The meditation teacher is Ven. This famous place was founded by Ven. Kandy. Pansiyagama 60554. nr. On 2 small forested islands in a tropical lagoon. 15 ku is. An ancient monastery with a few caves and a beautiful forest with many big Ironwood trees. The last years few westerners have stayed here. Amarapura Nikāya. approx. have stayed here. Ven. houses. If coming from Kandy.Dambulla Rd. 80250. There are 50-60 monks at present and there is a strong meditative atmosphere.) Nā Uyana AS. He is 93 now and it can be difficult to get permission to visit him. take Colombo bus and get off at Nitambuwa. although the distance from Melsiripura is only 14 km it will take more than 45 min to get to the monatery by car. walk from bus-stop to monastery. Nissarana Vanaya is probably a better place to start the monastic life. a 25 minute walk away. Affiliated to the Vajirañā a Dharmāyatana chapter of the Amapura Nikāya. Island Hermitage. English. the most senior Western (German) monk in the world. stays on Parapadūwa. Quiet.6 standards. Ariyananda Thera. etc. and German library. has been the abbot for about three years. 10 km south of the beach resort of Hikkadūwa. There an excellent Pā i. clean and tidy. Reasonable Vinaya. It is about 40 mins. The senior monk is Ven. Generally good Vinaya standards. In a large forest (old tea-estate) on the mountain above Perādeniya University (1½ hours walking). Sometimes some noise from the nearby village. get off at Meetirigala (25 min. A nice place for studies. Muditamana. and orderly. . ask for a bus to Ranwalla or Wedagama. Many western monks have stayed here. Hantāna. The Dharmāyatana (see the Galdūwa list below) is on the hill next to Nissarana Vanaya. a neighbouring island (near Katudampe pansala). Nyanatiloka in the early 20th century. Bhikkhus known to the place can try their luck at the Dodanduwa postoffice in the afternoon as the monastery mail will be picked up from there. In the forest it is not too hot. lk A meditation centre and monastery with a long tradition of offering meditation-instruction to Westerners. More individual meditation than group meditation. From Kandy take a bus to Galaha get off 17 km after Peradeniya at the Nilambe Bungalow junction (conductors know the place). (Mr.a day charge for lodgings and food (not for monks). Quiet area. Tel. He used to stay in Kanduboda VMC and then in Lanka Vipassana Centre. . In tea-estate-country on a mountain-top above Peradeniya. enclosed area. also the 207 bus from Gampaha goes there. take the 224 bus which stops outside the monastery. It It is close to a small road and surrounded by coconut plantations and a few village houses. 011-2570306. Colombo 7. Kandy. Other teachers also come occasionally. Follow the white arrows. was long connected to this place and passed away in early 2000. From the CTB Bus Station at Olcott Mawatha. beautiful views. The female yogis and nuns have their own separate area. Most are of no significance for westerners. 011-2694-100. come here. 011-2445518. Delgo a. as they are infrequent). Relaxed and friendly atmosphere.) The major lay-meditation centre in Sri Lanka for western travellers. The vinaya is reasonable. Pemasiri. Many westerners. Some of the buses to Kirindivella are passing near Kanduboda (but this is not a good option. Lanka Vipassana IVMC.7 At Kandy Clocktower Station take a Bowalawatta Bus. The facilities are nice and spacious. From there it is a steep 40 min. The head of the new centre is Ven. but there are also some Sinhalese. The teaching is in the Mahāsi tradition. who is very experienced in the Mahāsi tradition. Approximately 20 kms E of Colombo. Delgo a. The place is mainly for laypeople. Galaha. Tel. This might interest to those who may want to meditate but not become a monk. From there follow the small signs or ask the way. The resident teacher for Singhalese meditators is Mr. There is no resident teacher for westerners at the moment. Upul Gamage: 0777-804555. Kanduboda.) Besides the Mahāsi method he also teaches other traditional methods of meditation. Kanduboda has more than 25 branches throughout the country. climb through tea plantations. wet climate. Thirty ku is have been built already. E-mail: bhavanam@sltnet. Siyane VMC or Kanduboda VMC. Besides monks and nuns also lay meditators are welcome and some get ordination here. Cool. Upul Gamage. 108 Wijerāma Mawatha. The daily schedule and discipline is more relaxed than in the Mahāsi centres in Burma. Upāli. The main teacher and head monk is Ven. About 20 kms south of Kandy. Women have a separate. A few large buildings with rooms and some ku is.lk or mupali@sltnet. a popular and experienced teacher in the Mahāsi tradition who is helpful and friendly to foreigners. (See next entry. Nilambe Meditation Centre. A new meditation centre has been opened in 2003 on the land right next to Kanduboda. The conductors will know the place. the respected and internationally known meditation teacher. Sumantiphāla BM. but it is mainly a place for lay-people. Tel: 011-2402805. There is a strong daily schedule and little talking. Lay people can build ku is and have access to them for life. Pettah. Often a monk or two are visiting or staying there as well. Godwin Samararatne. Hibatgala Rd. Kanduboda. There is a 400/. both male and female. but monks do visit and stay here for limited periods. and ordination has sometimes been given for western women (which may interest potential dasa-sīl-maenayos). Fairly quiet for Colombo standards. Guest monks normally stay in a dormitory. Small place. Situated in a fairly area in a suburb of Colombo. 1st Cross Street. Colombo 00700 Tel 689388. Dhammakū a VMC. Lanka Vipassana IVMC. cool. clean. Galaha Road. email: dhamma@sltnet. The late Mahānayaka of the . Tel. The Danish Bhikkhu Mettavihari is helpful and can provide useful information to westerners new to the country. in November or December. Maharagama. Hindagala. A hot. Bhikkhu Training Center . clean and tidy. (Nr.lk Website: www.lanka. Colombo. Between a major road and school. 00700. Goenka. Sarana Road. as taught by S. 418/31 Bauddhaloka Mawatha. humid. Nanda thera.metta. no permanent residents.lk Prof. 49/2. (Tel: 01-696 494) Abbot: Ven. beautiful views. Suitable place for lay-people who like to meditate. 011-2850-305 or 011-2850-207. Colombo 07.msn. noisy.com/PagodaMeditationCentre A new centre started by Ven. Delgo a. Perādeniya. Mowbray. Website: http://groups. Pagoda Road. Olanda Ānanda. Retreats are planned. Ven. 108 Wijerāma Mawatha. outsiders can’t stay here. Nugegoda. Once a year. Other Places: Colombo The capital of Sri Lanka. but visitors are welcome.N.com/ dhamma/dhammakuta Meditation centre where Vipassana Meditation courses are given in the tradition of Sayagi U Ba Khin. there is a course which is for bhikkhus only. and sensual place. e-mail bic@col7. On the ground floor there is a Buddhist book shop with a wide selection of books. International Buddhist Research and Information Center (IBRIC) / Nārada Center. There is no accomodation to stay yet. polluted. Lake Road. quiet. Mettavihari’s place. Shri Kalyā ī DA (Formerly known as ‘German Dharmadūta’). Only courses. See above. Main Galdūwa place in Colombo. thus sometimes crowded with visiting and sick monks from all over Sri Lanka.8 This is a branch of Kanduboda. Kanduboda VMC.Maharagama. Tel: 011-2812397. a well-known senior Dutch monk who speaks fluently Sinhala and has been teaching meditation for a long time in Sri Lanka and abroad. Kandy) 081-2234649/081-2385774-5/070-800057. See above. tidy. Women stay in a separate wing. so it can be fairly noisy.and lay-residents and was also often visited by Western monks staying some days in Colombo for extending visas etc. but moved to a new place next to Kanduboda in 2003 (see previous entry) and his place was taken over by Ven. Bhikkhu Dhammavihari’s and Ven. In Colombo’s diplomatic quarter. On a mountain. Pagoda Meditation Centre. The place has had many Western long-term monastic. Pemasiri used to stay here. Good support. Major training-centre for young Singhalese monks. 380/9. Ariyava sala kara. Strict Vinaya standards. Next door to Lanka Meditation Centre. St. off Kinsey Road on the backside of the Hospital. It is next to road and somewhat noisy. Colombo 00700.see above . Comprehensive selection of Buddhist Books. nice meditation hall. 726234. (Otherwise. or from one of the anatomists. PTS books in stock. Kananwila. Central Hospital Vajirārāmaya. 125 Anderson Road. etc. Piyadassi. Nearby.9 Amarapura Nikaya used to stay here. The monk at the nearby Central Hospital Vajirāmāya .. At the moment there is a very large building project going on on the premises.) This police morgue is suitable for practising the asubha-kamma hāna. Tel. A deposit can be made on behalf of a monk so he can get books. 525/3 Elvitigala Mawatha. see above. Temple in General Hospital. Westeners are welcome to stay here. The standards have gone down the last decades. The abbot is Ven. Visitors might have to go on pi apāta and in this way they can normally stay without duties or involvement. Horana. see Colombo. Francis St. with Bowalawatte A. Small place where sick Galdūwa monks can stay in Colombo. Tel. Old corpses in various stages of decay are in the cool-cells next to the main autopsy room and can be viewed too. Dekandūwala M. Vimalajothi thera. Colombo 4 . but on Saturdays and Sundays only in the morning. Police Mortuary. Good library. An old and reknown place with a famous tradition of scholars like Ven. Don’t go bare-footed into the cutting theaters as there are scalpels. Bhikkhus normally do not need to get official permission to enter here and they can walk in and have a look. Vajira Road. Kusaladhamma thera. see the next entry.can help too. but it might be difficult to get access to. 106 Wijerāma Mawatha. blood stains. ask permission from the director. (Off Kinsey Rd. . (= B. Amarapura Nikāya. Colombo 5. 011-689307. 00500. Open on all days. but monks are also welcome.C. 01 692018. Ku is and rooms. Director: Ven. with only a few monks and good support. 011-2584-202. Inquiries and bookings should be made through Ven. and another near Lake House alongside the cetiya opposite the Hilton. Nedimala. and 2 smaller centres. Central Hospital. Sambodhi Vihāra. Tel. Gilan-āvāsaya. Buddhist Cultural Center. Reasonable vinaya. Nārada. Alwis. on the floor. is the Hospital Mortuary where autopsies are also done. Close to Gālla Road. There are over 25 branches throughout the country. is expected. Vajirārāmaya. nice views. Vimalajothi at the Buddhist Cultural Center. 736737.C). Dehiwala. A place mainly for lay-meditators. Nārāhænpi a. Bambalapitiya. There is a branch-bookshop at the junction of Baudhaloka Mawatha and Sarana-road in the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress compound. It is situated on a hill-top. Good facilities. Tel: 075-350-976. quiet. There is a “meditation section” in the back where foreign monks sometimes stay.C. Dr. Small place.) It is situated in the small St Francis Street behind the Medical College (which is opposite the SE corner of the General Hospital complex. and Ven. such as dānas and funerals of important people. Amarapura Nikāya. Affiliated to this place is a meditation centre in Horana outside Colombo: Dekandūwala Meditation Centre. 734256 Fax. Joining in for outside functions. The new Mahānayaka is in Ratmalāna. as its major forest hermitage. Affiliated to Galdūwa.) There is very poor hygiene and one needs to be careful. one in Kelaniya. Kahatapitiya. The resident bhikkhu is very helpful for sick monks. It is maybe possible to stay here. Kheminda. Colombo. rubber estates and paddyfields. 72/30 Rawatawatte Road. Meegoda. One can go on pi apata. Set in coconut estate near Piliyandala. Tel/Fax: (94-1)655653 E-mail: [email protected]. Polwatta BM / Sri Dharmodaya BC. Compound rooms. Friendly and supportive. The area around Colombo. Talagala. VMC. (Tel: 780140) Meditation Centre. Monastery in small area with many buildings. Millewa. Not so suitable for meditation. they have programs for males and females of all religions. Sri Ñā arāma Dharmāyatana. Dikhena BM. At times a bit hot and humid. south of Colombo. This place was set up to be the largest Study and Vinaya training centre of the Galdūwa group but it was a flop.ewisl. The monasteries and centres in the area about 40 km around Colombo have been listed here. A few ku is. and Gampaha. A bit cramped. Near Ja Ela between Colombo and Negombo. Uggalboda. Facilities for laymen and laywomen. Dhammananda who speaks good English and is very knowledgeable with regards the suttas and vinaya. Foreign monks have stayed here.Ven. Ven. In the mid-nineties it became a Pa Auk meditation centre for a while. Udugampola 11030. . Mulleriyawa-New Town. Vinīta thera teaches Mahāsi Method. Hot and humid climate. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Large medititation hall. (Managed by The Leela Jayatilaka Trust) Gothama T. Kesbewa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Regrowing forest. Fairly quiet. Kumbukgahadūwa. See above Major Places list. Vipassana Bhāvanāyatanaya. Facilities for about 12 monks. Shanti Y. About 1-2 acres with buildings on industrial palm estate. Polgasowita 10320. Ñā acetiya Y. Arukpitiya. Nissarana Vanaya. Abbot. Ekala 11380. Moratuwa. Mostly flatland with some small hills. Battaramulla. On the hill next to Nissarana Vanaya. Kirindiwela. Dhammasiddhi. Kalapaluwawa. Mithirigala 11742. Two-week meditation courses for laymen and laywomen. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Some noise. Excellent meditation hall. Due to its proximity to the capital there are many monasteries here. Industries Estate / Polwatta. Nr. (Tel: 864973) 10 km E of Colombo. Sri Jayawardenapura. since then it has been a quiet place with about six monks and no teacher. Rajamalwatte. Sumanasīla thera teaches Pa Auk method when visiting.10 Vishva Niketan International Peace Centre. Head Monk: Ven. High Level Road. Abbot: Ven. Dikhena. Sri Kavidhaja Vachissara MC. Mithirigala. Minuwangoda. although they might rather be in Kægalla district or another district. Divulapitiya. Talangama South 10120. Affiliated to the Sarvodaya movement. Divalpitiya Dhammāyatanaya. Raiyadoluwa. Avissawella.. Rocks. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Waharaka. Monastery connected to Ven. The abbot is D. Naiwala Road. No. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Westerners have stayed there. Aturugiriya 10150. Shailagiri Y. Simple ku is. Meditation centre in suburban area. secluded. See Potgulgala Aranya under Kægalla District. 178. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Sirima gala Y. Coconut estate. On Colombo . Pittugala. About 16 monks. good views. Kalapaluwewa. Ku is in an regrowing jungle in an abandoned rubber-estate on a hill in the Dompe area. Visuddhi is the headmonk. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Warana A. 20 minute climb. Chandrasiri thera. pi apāta. Affiliated to Kanduboda. 35 kms E of Colombo. the nāyaka thera of the Ka yā ava sa of the Amarapura nikāya to which the Tapovana group and Ven. Ven. few possessions. Ven. Upāsikārāmaya and Ma galārāmaya. Gonagaldeniya 71304. see Mahamevnawa Asapuwa near K galla. Well supported. Buddhist centre established in a humid and hot twelve acre forest grove three kilometres from the Colombo city limits. Ñā ānanda thera. On a rock-hill with caves about 5 km away from Kanduboda towards the north. Sanghasubhadra. One big house. New place of Ven. Maybe this is the same place as Māligātenna described in FM p.11 Haddagala AS or Indomulla AS. Nugasevana Senasuna. near Naranwala. Mahamevnawa Bhāvanā Asapuwa.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. 12 km east of Kirindiwella. Warana. Avissawella area. Aturugiriya BM. Dæraniyagala 71432. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kiribathgoda Ñā ānanda. Vidiyawatta. Wæliveriya. Awissavella. Large meditation and Dhamma hall. Abbot . Palugama. Ratnagiri Vivekāshrāmaya. Kægalla District. Udugampola. Puwakmal Ella. Indolamulla. Shaila-pabbata Y. 4 monks. Mulleriyawa-New Town. 3 km from Awissavella. 3-4 monks. Tel: 036-49455. via Udupila. Danawikanda. Formerly a study place. Mithirigala. somewhat run down and not so suitable. near Colombo.Mitirigala bus route. Doranagoda. Devagiri AS. Ñā ananda. 15 kms E of Awissawella. Disciples of Ven.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. 272. (Midway between Nittanbuwa and Ruwanwella.probably has ku is. 2004. Napawala. Kiribathgoda Ñā ānanda’s teaching centre for Colombo laypeople. Quite a large centre . Nice ku is. K. Malabe. Shri Kalyāna DA. Dompe 11680. Amawathura Asapuwa. Ask your way from Colombo. At the moment. Gampaha. Hot. ardent practise of meditation. . Sri Piyananda VMC. A handful of Austrian monks are living here. About 20 kms E of Colombo. Old bungalow in rubber estate. Dompe.Ven. but now a a meditation centre. Dæraniyagala 71430. A monastery with a Mahāsi tradition meditation centre and a boy’s orphanage. Gothama T. Dompe 11680. Intends to build ku is. (Miyanawi a). Kiribathgoda Nā ānanda’s Mahanewna group are connected. (= 5 km E from Yakkala on Colombo-Kandy road. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Along road from Awissawella. IsigilikandaVMC. Udamalibada 71411. Kandy 20000. Ganemulla. Ūrāpola.15 monks. Forest Hermitage. Gampaha. Kirindiwælla. A Meditation Centre connected with Nilambe. Ñā aponika. Kandy. Hanwælla. Quiet place where both Western and Singhalese bhikkhus stay. Group-meditation in evening. 25 km NE of Colombo. Headmonk: Ven Satimanta thera. Tel: 07777-65944. This place is in a town-area and can therefore be a bit noisy. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Waturawila. Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha. Katana (North). Senanāyake Ārāmaya. cool at night. Millate. Bodhi. Ñā atiloka. mainly for lay-people. Kandy. Udawattakele. Galboda. Affiliated to Kanduboda. ku is and rooms. Forest-monastery/temple. Good support. at the entrance of the Udawattakele Sanctuary. On slope of . Danawkanda. Monks are also welcome here. Bhikkhus go on pi apāta. Fax 08-2225471. Small place. Next door to Forest Hermitage. Temperate climate. Affiliated to Galdūwa.) Affiliated to Waturawila. Sri Shānta Tapovana AS. Indigolla. A few ku is. Clean and tidy. Maligātenna AS.P. Near the Kandy lake and the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalida Maligawa). both Westerners and Singhalese. Amarapura Nikaya. 08-2225471. Affiliated to the Tapovana group. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kandy. Ven. Katuwalamulle MC. E ? of Kirindiwela. Weyangoda. Meegahawatta. Millatākanda AS. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Kandy The ancient capital of the hill country. Indigolla MC. Kolankanda AS. A fairly large town with the temple of the tooth-relic and the two headquarters of the Siam Nikaya. Sri Wimaldhamma Tissa Mawatha. Bopætta Viveka S. PO Box 61. Yoga-classes. Potgul Vihāra. Affiliated to Waturawila.S. Udawattakæle. Lewella MC. Mahakanda Purāna AS. Western monks often stay here. Ven. Good library. Katuwalamulla. 160 Dharmashoka Mawatha. The hermitage of Ven. There is a house near a road and 4 ku is in the shrubby forest on the slope above the house near the Eastern edge of the Udawattekele. Alawala. The monastery is supported by the B. There are some forests left on the hills and mountains. Katana VMC. Siri Mangala Y. Monks and laypeople visiting the Forest Hermitage need not pay the fee for the Udawattakele sanctuary. Ñā atusita. c/o Buddhist Publication Society. Gampaha. Weliweriya 11710. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Katuwawa. If one wishes to stay overnight it might be better to write beforehand to the resident bhikkhu. and Ven. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Kandy. Affiliated to Waturawila. Kirikitta.12 Sama Uyana T. Tel. If there is no place one can stay at Senanayakārāma (see below) or Tapovana. Visitors usually need to go on pi apāta. Sri Daladā Tapovanaya. Udawattakele. Waturugama 11742. Diddeniya. Meegahawatta MC. Affiliated to Waturawila. Ka agedihena 11875. (Between Nittanbuwa and Kirindiwælla. 5 . There is also a reasonable reference library upstairs. Phone: 081-2233471. A comfortable place geared for westerners who like good facilities and food. Pirivena/Study Centre. University Vihāra.S. nr. Hantana. Peradeniya. has a big bookshop with large assortment of Buddhist books. Tel/Fax. Western monks sometimes stay here. Near the university library. There is a good library. Kandy.S. One or two Burmese monks are residing here.P. Ku is are under construction. Meditation instruction and courses (on cassette-tapes) in English are available. Galaha Rd. Peradeniya. Amarapura Nikāya. New place. Primrose Vajirārāma Primrose Gardens. Burmese vihāra on a major street in the center of Kandy. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ven. Dhammakuta VMC. On hill above Kandy. Hindagala.S.08-570732 (office). Ulpatkanda A. Mowbray. The centre of the late Ven. Devanapathis International Samatha-vipassana Meditation Center.). Various teachers come for visits. Tel: 081-2237283. A few western bhikkhus have stayed here. Burmese Resthouse. 07 Balumgala. Sīlananda is the resident teacher and main organizer. Springhill Watta. Amarapura Nikaya. Near Trinity College. Kandy. Buddhist Publication Society (B. Some noise from Kandy-Colombo road. Hantana. Peradeniya. 20 km west of Kandy. See Major Places above. Kandy. Laypeople can get a room against a small payment and the place is popular with western backpackers. Senanayaka Maw/Trincomalee Street. Kandy. 54 Sangharaja Mawatha. but it is a crowded and busy place. See Major Places above. Possibly a good place for learning the Singhalese language and monk’s chanting and customs etc. Quite noisy due to being located above major road. Ñā aponika. University Forest Solitude or Bowalawatta A. Several Singhalese nuns and one monk are resident. . Bowalawatta.P. See Major Places above.. There might be ku is. Western bhikkhus have stayed here. Pallakæle. No. Perādeniya University. D. A recently built meditation centre on the hill above the point where the Kandy-Colombo road starts going down the mountains (where the old road goes through the rock). The B. Vihāra in quiet area on the border of the forest behind the University. Kadugannāwa. Nilambe MC. Westerners have stayed here. founded by Ven. About 15 monks. Galaha Road. S. Rooms & ku is. PO Box 61. Tel 08 225353. Kandy.13 Udawattakele Sanctuary. Amatagavesi thera. Subodhārāma. Kandy District Pāramitā International Buddhist Centre. Kandy. Vajirañā ā Amarapura Nikāya. Tel 052 280994. Handessa. Rājawella. Small place. On Māhiyangana road from Kandy. Mahāweli Raja Mawatha. Dumbara Y. c/o Amila Services. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Nyanavimala. Bogakumbara. Between Perādeniya and Gampola. Sumanasiri. forested mountain-slope. Coolest climate in Sri Lanka. 4 miles along the Kandy-Uduwela Rd. Asokārāmaya. Devagolla Alupathakada. also good young monk Ven. Wegirikanda. Nawalapitiya. Liyamagahakotuwa. Rock Hill Hermitage. Friendly and helpful abbot: Ven. Udakirinda BM. Hawa Eliya. Ariyañā a. Digana. 20180. Connected to Asgiriya Siyam Nikāya. Nuwara Eliya District The centre and highest part of the hill country. Facilities for about 6 monks. Kassapa. not so well kept. Mostly tea estates. Diyamakanda A. Kandy 20000. near the Embekke devale. has been much involved with helping dying people and in giving lectures to doctors. Welimada. a junior bhikkhu. 3 resident monks. 71411. Bambaragala. Hanguranketa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Hantana Estate. Sri Dātu Gal-lena A. A rocky hill with caves in a quiet area. Now a village temple but on the hill there are old caves. Udawela. 30 kms SE of Kandy. In the Victoria reservoir valley. Not far from village and there might be some village-noise. A few westerners have stayed here. Dhammika Puññavaradhanāshramaya. Tea-estate country. . Upper Division. Probably connected to Waturawila. Meditation-centre with compound and also a few ku is. from the vihāra the Randenigala reservoir can be seen. New place. Gonagantenna. Nice views. 25 kms SE of Kandy on the road to Randenigala Reservoir. 6 nice ku is. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Probably the coldest monastery in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya. less than 1 km from Adhikārigama. Uduwela. Kassapa. An ancient cave monastery on a rocky hill near the Victoria dam. Rahatungoda Y. Moderately cool climate. Maybe some noise from houses and the road in the valley. Ven.14 Bo Uyana AS. Small place. Mahāsi Method. The place made a new start in 2003 after a long period of absence of Ven. 2 monks. since being a layman in Australia. but there is some remnant forests on the mountains. Siyam-nikāya. Makehelwela. Rooms. etc. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Mountain area 5 miles north of Keppetipola. Hewahæta 20440. Digana. Ven. Gampola. caves. the abbot. On steep. Adhikārigama. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. / Dri Daladalena As / Galiha A. Sri Veluvana Y / Devagolla Y. It used to be a fairly popular place for Western travellers in the nineteen-eighties. Sangharāja Gallena. Wattegama. Western monks sometimes stay here. Very cool. Several foreign monks have spent Vassa here and many visited. A few ancient caves and ku is. Mahanuwara 20164. Pallegama. Welihællagama. Remotely situated inside a valley surrounded by hills. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Another place where western bhikkhus have stayed for a long time. Rubber and palm estates. 2 kms on the Haputale Road. Good vinaya. Nikapitiya. Or. Small aranya with a few ku is on a slope with pineforest in a quiet river-valley 4 km south of Diyatalāwa. The place is unaffiliated to any tradition and monks from both Waturawila Vanavāsin group and the Amarapura nikāya stay here. when coming from the South along the Gālla-Colombo road. Over 1000m altitude. Kahagolla. Badulla District. and then about an hour of walking. In village area. dense forest with many leeches. Shri Ñā ārāma Vivekāshramaya / Kahagolla A. Uva Province. who was formerly the abbot and meditation teacher. 5 kms SW of Bandārawela. see FM p. Above 1000m. cool. From Kalutara take a bus to Mātugama. Friendly abbot. Founded by a Tsech monk in the 1960’s. then at the railway crossing turn down to the right. half way on the Pānadura-Ratnapura road. Wet. Forest in river-gulley. Probably a few monks from Kahagolla are residing here. Still undeveloped due to lack of funds. Pi apāta. and the surrounding villages.) Ingiriya Approx. Madakada AS. take a bus from Aluthgama to Pelawatta and walk for more than an hour. Not a place which is suitable for beginners. Badureliya. The most senior monk. Rooms in a communal building. Only one hut. near Koslanda. Moderate temperature. there are some small wilderness areas. From Bandarawela walk approx. Ku is and caves. Founded in 1942. Diyatalāwa. Mostly tea and vegetable estates.15 Haputale District / Uva province. About 15 monks. Not as high as Haputale. where it rains a lot. Rooms for approx. 200 acres of forested land. Pahalahewessa. The southern edge of the hill and mountain country. Meditative atmosphere. On the inland hills. 178. Diyatalāwa 90150. Kalugala AS. Mātugama. Can be noisy. Bandārawela. from there a bus to Badureliya. Kolatenna Hermitage. Good vinaya. Kalutara District Coastal district. (Ingiriya A. Wet. Noise from temples. good library. but at present the only residents are Sinhalese bhikkhus from nearby Kahagolla. Friendly monks. Kalyā ī Yogāshrama. Surrounded by village and tea-estates on a mountain-slope above village-areas. ask your way from Kahagolla A. an army-camp. near army-camp. Cool climate. but still has a pleasant climate with cool nights. but the second and third monks are experienced meditators are helpful. One of the nicest places in Sri Lanka in terms of seclusion and nature. nice climate. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Hot and humid. This seems to be the headquarters now of a section of the Waturawila group who are keeping strict vinaya . Diyatālawa 90150. 4 persons. Between Haputale/Beragala and Wellawaya. is very old now. Cool climate and spectacular views over the southern lowland. Piyangala A. Gampaha. cool climate. Western bhikkhus have stayed here for long periods. Flatland along coast. and a number of other aranyas. It is accessible only by boat. Step out at the Blue Lagoon Hotel or at the big bridge over the Bentota River. Rakwāna. Via Mātugama and Agalavatta.) Shri Kalyāna DA. Abandoned for long time as the local laypeople lost faith due to the misbehaviour of a monk. Quite a large centre. Aluthgama. Sīlagama. (E of Bentota. on Pānadura-Ratnapura Road.) Affiliated to Waturawila. A farily large place. Dharmadvīpa Y. Hills and mountains. There are ku is among the mangroves. Hot and humid. a senior German monk. some noise from road below.16 standards (not touching money etc. (At the 59 km. Beautiful views. Awittawa. the Swegyin Mahānayaka thera and Vinaya ācariya. get down at Polgampola. Kalutara North 12000. 70140. Affiliated to Waturawila. cool climate and beautiful scenery. Helpful English speaking monk. Migahatenna. Ven. Weligalpotta AS. Forest monastery. Sārananda. Lellopitiya 10 km E of Ratnapura. Tundola A. off the beach with a few ku is. is very kind and helpful. Lellopitiya VBM.) and follow the example of the Galdūwa group. The head monk. On the beach. The head monk is Ven. Cool. 10 ku is on a hill. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Bodhināgala A. Place near beach in a mangrove forest at the mouth of the Bentota Ganga. 15 kms north-west of Balangoda on the road to Haputale. Not far from Kalugala A. one mile before Ingiriya. visible from one side of the island. Piyananda.. with emphasis on study. Hædigala 12234. Alligned with this group is Salgala. Ñā aramita. Kadamuduna. Ven. On the top of a slope on a mountain-range in tea-estate country. 12136. Affiliated to Kanduboda. (Leech-country). Egodakanda. Rainforest. About 6 monks. . A few western monks have stayed here. Polgampala. Pūjālena AS. From Mātugama take Pelwatta bus. Western bhikkhus have stayed here. Warm and humid climate. Siyambalope. He is teaching meditation at local ayurveda clinics. dense rain-forest. stone on Colombo-Gālla road. Affiliated to Galdūwa. with about 15 monks. (Nr Horana). well situated. sign along Road. Kirimætiyāwala. Spacious compound on beach.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. Amarapura Nikaya. Some fairly large wilderness areas in the mountains and hills. Yagirala. In 2004 bhikkhus connected to Kandubodha/Lanka Vipassana Centre went there to stay. is living there. more than 30 kms SE of Ratnapura. Sinharāja Prānta AS. western girls in and out of bikinis might attract unrestrained eyes. Kalawilawatta. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ratnapura District The gem district. Bulutota. Matugama.. No ku is but 3 rooms. (? Kalutara Distr. not far from Kalugala A. but the main attraction of this place is the little rock-island about 50 m. Migahatenna BM. Belihul Oya. etc. Sīlasamāhita YA or Belihul Oya BM. De Abrew Mawatha. Indolawatta AS or Assagiri YA. A pansala with a few ku is.) Hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. The Singharaja area is the largest and wettest rainforest in Sri Lanka. On hill-top. Balangoda Ānanda’s place. Eratna 70560. Thotupola-tenna. Balangoda Ānanda’s large collection of books is kept. Ven. Ætugalakanda AS. The headquarters of the forest tradions of Sri Lanka are in this district. Foreign monks have stayed there. Merekele AS. Bambaragala AS. Gangodakanda. Samangiri AS. Indolawatta. Siripagama. Sri Pada AS. Ulliduwāwa. well situated atop a hill. Island Hermitage. having mastered the Pāli scriptures. via Balangoda. Samanala AS. He is highly proficient in the Pa Auk meditation system as well as in the Mahāsi meditation system and is a Tipi aka Bhā aka. Kahadūwa. Affiliated to Waturawila. Kahawa. Bulatwatta Gāllena AS. Galdūwa. Hot and humid climate as it is situated in a palm-estate area on the edge of a swamp adjoining the coast. . Dodandūwa. Galpāya. The Japanese sect leader Aum Shinryo had a very large library built here in which Ven. Affiliated to Waturawila.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. or Galdūwa A. Affiliated to Waturawila. Massænna. Balangoda. Deniyāya. Pallegama. One section is a large pirivena with many novices. About 20 km inland (NE) from Hikkaduwa. see Major Places above. Three times daily Buddha-Puja/Vandana and a lot of scriptural study. Lellopitiya. c/o Mahindakade. Pallebedda. Waturāwa. Between Ambalangoda and Hikkadūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Waturawila.) On Sri Pāda mountain. Affiliated to Waturawila. Shri Gunawardhana Y. (On Avissawella-Ratnapura road turn left at Kuruwita. Ariyadhamma is the abbot of this monastery. Vanavāsa Sa gha Mūlasthānaya or Waturawila A. (= 12 km west of Ratnapura. Paranagama. Udumulla. Palabaddala. Panilkanda. A number of ku is. The late Ven. Balangoda. Amarapura Nikāya. Ellawala. Deniyāya. Gālla District Coastal district. Kolandagala. The place is mainly a training center for junior monks. good support from local village. Ayagama 70024. scenic views over the mountains.17 Balangoda VMC. The headquarters of the Waturawila group. Hot and humid. Lellopitiya. Tibbotuwæwa. (= 12 km west of Ratnapura. Inland there are some fairly large wilderness areas on the hills and mountains such as the Singharāja NP. Affiliated to Kanduboda. . Sri Dhammapāla AS. the other section is a forest-monastery. Ayagama 70024. Kalawāna. as well as the head of the Galdūwa group. Godakawela. Affiliated to Waturawila. Affiliated to Waturawila. Mahānāma who is very kind and helpful. Kolawenigama. Bulatgama. Waturawila. Warnagala. Śri Nandārāma. Ven. Badūwæla Kanda Ku iya. Affiliated to Waturawila. Ariyadhamma knows and visits all Galdūwa places regularly and can give advice about their suitability. Iluktenna AS. The head monk is Ven. Budulena AS. Take an Akuressa bus from Gālla and then an Udugama or Tawalama bus. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ñā aasanta. Quiet. Uluwahugala AS. Ihala Dickson Pāra. Neluwa. Watugedara 80340. Diviyāgala AS. moderately cool climate. Vivekārāmaya.). Eppala. About 50 acres of forest on small hills with a stream running through it. Opāta A. Gālla 80000. a meditation teacher in Pa Auk tradition. (= 10 km inland from Hikkadūwa. Jinava sa. Take bus from Gālla to Neluwa and then walk for about one hour (or more?) up a mountain through tea-plantations. / Rajavangala A. Two large (unused) rock-caves inside the monastery boundary. but a little hard living. (Koggala A. 80075.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. 30 km E of Ambalangoda. (10 kms NE from Elpitiya) This is supposed to be a nice place. helpful and friendly. Panangala. Dhammasīla Mahāthera. Tel: 075451762. is staying here. Lawallena Watta. On the western edge of the large Singharāja Rain-Forest National Park. Kottagama. Koggala. 12 km E of Gālla. Karapitiya. 10 kms south of Bentota. At present the Austrian Ven. Kosmulla. Affiliated to Waturawila. Godakanda. Kottawa Nāga A. Affiliated to Galdūwa. 81442. also English books. Near Sinharaja NP. Habarāduwa 80630. Sinhalena T. The headmonk. Suddællāva AS. Warm & humid. Nice monastery in forested hilly area with streams. Kottawa. beautifully situated. Neluwa. see above. Wet and humid. About 50 km NE of Gālla. Ven. Take bus to Udagama from Gālla and get off at Kottawa junction. Few monks. Tripitaka DA. Shri Ñā abhasara Y. Ven. who was formerly at the Island Hermitage. The monastery comprises of a number of buildings and ku is situated on a small raised elevation of land jutting out into a lagoon and approached by a causeway. Neluwa 80082. 30 km SE of Gālla. 80082. In the Ambalangoda area. Good ku is. is residing here. Dense rainforest with streams and waterfalls etc. Akuressa. Western monks have stayed here regularly. Vihāragoda Viveka Senasenaya.18 Deldūwa A. Ambalangoda area. Mawita. Pitigala. 3 1/2 kms from Opāta. Fairly quiet. Western bhikkhus have stayed here for long periods. At times hot and humid. Affiliated to Waturawila. Just outside Gālla town. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Baddegama 80200. Good food and vandana in the evening. 10 km SW of Gālla. . Sugu asāra. Forest Hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Get down at Opāta. The headquarter of the Deldūwa forest division of the Rāmañña Nikāya. Nāgala A. Nr. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Hot and humid. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Good library. Ihalahewessa. Kosgoda 80570. not too hot climate. nice patch of forest. Affiliated to Galdūwa. but it is now more study orientated. Forest hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Several ku is. about 6 monks. Senanayaka Rd. Wet. Abbot -Ven. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Sri Ka yā ā DA. has been long time resident of Nissarana Vanaya. Vihāragoda. Opāta. Originally a meditation monastery. Siri Sugata T. see Kirinda A. Dediyagala AS. The northern part of the hill and mountain country. Beliatta. Nigrodhārāmaya S. Sudhamma. Imadūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Waturawila. Kandambigoda. Baddegama. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ku is in 2 lines up forested hill. Some sound from village. Agalia. A historical place. 15 km E of Mātara. (20 km NE of Mātara). Akuressa. Some large wilderness areas. Kumbara Post Office 70456. . Nākiyādeniya. Warm and humid. Dediyagala. Several foreign monks have stayed here for extended periods. 10 kms E of Mātara. in the early 1850’s. (A few miles from Puhulwella A. Ask your way from Mātara. above. Dūwa Pi uwala. (= 30 km NE of Mātara. Kækanadura 81020. (= 10 km inland from Hikkadūwa. Warāpitiya. Wawulagala Watuyāya. Affiliated to Deldūwa. Waturawa. Hawupe. Poratota. Pi uwala. Aharagala AS. Dellawa. Diwankaralena AS. Hiniduma. Affiliated to Waturawila. Affiliated to Waturawila. see FM 218. Paññānanda. Warm and humid. The second oldest forest monastery in Sri Lanka. Pilidola Ko asa. Nugagala AS. Founded in the early 1950’s. Old forest on a hill. 15 km NE of Mātara. founded by Ven. Some small wilderness areas. Nākiyādeniya Watta.) Hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Malidūwa. Parapāmulla. In the Mātara area. Digālena AS. Walasmulla. see FM p. Puhulwella. Ellakanda AS. It is situated in a state forest on a peninsula surrounded by a reservoir. Flatland along coast. Ba uvita. Affiliated to Waturawila.19 Sītaladela AS. Shri Rohana Y.) Affiliated to Waturawila. Foreign monks have stayed here.) Maybe connected to Waturawila. as it is the oldest continually occupied forest monastery in Sri Lanka. Well-known and well supported place./Puhulwella A. Approx 30 kms N of Mātara. Hot and humid. Akuressa. Rammale AS. Meditation-centre. Narawæl Kætiya. Affiliated to Waturawila.(= 30 km E of Mātara. Hakmana. Elpitiya. Affiliated to Waturawila.) Affiliated to Deldūwa. Hakmana 81390. Elpitiya. Morawaka 81477. Udugama. the founder of the Rāmañña nikāya. Kirinda. Wawulagala AS. Mātara District Coastal district. 69 f. Viveka S. Remote forest monastery. Affiliated to Waturawila. Rammala. Ba uvita A. Abbot: Ven. Kirinda A. Yālagala. inland some hills. A very calm cultured thera with learning and experience in meditation. but generally developed. Tummodara AS. Mātale District The Tipi aka was first written down at the Aluvihāra near Mātale town. Forest hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Waturawila. Wattegama. Nice place for walking. About 5-8 kms outside Mātale by bus. Pidurangala. Moderately cool climate. The place is connected to Ven. Nirodha International Bhāvanā Centre. Amarapura Nikāya. only 2 or 3 monks. An old British tea-estate house. 30 km NE of Kandy. but there are many other caves in this area. Pannampitiya. Facilities only for a few monks. elephants. A few ku is and caves. are affiliated with this group. on Habarana Rd. lots of rain. Sa kicca can help to introduce one to this area. Simple food. Sigiriya. Only facilities for 3 monks. About 1. A few kms away there is a very large natural cave in a small valley above (NE) the Bambara Ella village (below the Nirodha estate). On a rocky hill 20 km NW of Mātale. and Ritigala A. Abbot -Ven. Homagama Kondañña but he is not there most of the time. Conditions are simple and sometimes tough. It is not used but could be a suitable place. Small centre. in Mahintale. and the Wasgamuwa National Reserve. The friendly head monk will probably be supportive if one wishes to stay in one of the caves. Hettipola. Sankicca thera. sometimes long and rough pi apāta and simple food. Take a bus from Wattegama (on Kandy-Mātale Rd) to Bambara Ella (by way of Panwila. see above. Watagala BM. (a little) chance of malaria. Open 3 wall ku is and caves.). On upper Western slopes of the Knuckles Range. Moragaha Ulpata. Ku is close to each other. Several ancient cave ku is under a large boulder-hill in the Sigiriya forest not far from a Pirivena. Caves and ku is. Large cave used as vihāra. Dambulla (6 km north of Dambulla. Caves in the base of a hill. Udutenna 21006. but there are many leeches. Ask the estate manager (Mr. spectacular views. leopards. Two caves connected to this place are semi-independent.Godapola. Affiliated to Galdūwa. . but might not have been used for a number of years as the pirivena is not a meditation centre. Manager living in other side of house. Mātale District. ± 8 km before Dambulla. Ven. Ætābendiwæwa Pāra. Enderagala S. and bears. 2 km E of Sigiriya rock. Mihindu A. He speaks good English and likes to help with introducing foreign monks to the Laggala area. Lunuatuwa A. Affiliated to Waturawila. There are a number of ku is with excellent seclusion in the large wilderness area between the eastern slopes of the Knuckles Mountain Range (Dumbara Kanda).20 Laggala Forest Area. SW of Polonnaruwa. Turn left from the Mātale-Dambulla Rd. Pidurangala. Knuckles Estate Bungalow. Watagala. near ancient monastery ruins. Palwehera. Wilgamuwa 21000. Alwatta. Maningamuwa. see the next entry. Bambara Ella. E of Mātale. A place for those who are lovers of intense solitude and are experienced in bhāvana. Friendly abbot. Some caves have been repaired. The English Bhikkhu Ānandajoti is looking after the place. small remote villages.) Cetiya Giriya. This is now the headquarters of a small group of monasteries that broke away from Waturawila. Gallenawatta AS.5 km. Near Laggala. Affiliated to Galdūwa. A few bhikkhus and several novices. Further on the road there are ancient ruins. Mātale . Pidurangala Rājamahāvihāra. Quite cool. Large rooms. Jewanis) in Bambara Ella. Tea and cardamom estates. Pallepola. Samādhi T. The meditation instructions are sometimes received from the late Ven. now Peter. Elkaduwa Pāra. and from there ask your way. Cooler than the low-country. dense forest with many leeches. see “Forest Monks of Sri Lanka” p. Nāgala Wæwa. The location is on a hilltop and there can be some noise from the surrounding villages. 10 km north of K galla. Kalundewa Road. Warakāpola 71600. Humid climate. Tel: 066-2233450. scenic place on the slopes of the Knuckles Range. S of Kaikawala/Rattota. 1½ miles along Warakāpola . Nice ku is. 50 kms E of Colombo. Unaffiliated to any tradition. Kimbissa. Devālagama. Atanvala. Affiliated to Galdūwa. In Mahagony forest. If Peter is not there the caretaker is Chandrā. Tel 078-641-662. Nāgolla Nadī S. In the foothills of the central mountains. mostly Austrian. Noise from the armycamp and villages below the hill. Western bhikkhus have stayed here for periods. Rangirigama AS. Affiliated to Waturawila. including caves. Affiliated to Waturawila. Sri Jinava sa Y. Dambulla. Mātale Road. Ñā ananda thera is living here. One of the first modern forest monasteries. Rangirigama. a few ku is and a few caves to live in. Tambarā Waliya Road. Gallena AS. Affiliated to Waturawila. Punchi Mola. He is a meditation teacher with several devoted western disciples. Dambulla VMC. Wet.21 Māliyadeva Devala Len Vihāraya. . Dambulla. Supposed to be a nice place on a mountain with forest. Monks or laypeople can build their own ku is here. New. K. Aluvihāra. Hills and mountains.Mirigama Rd. From K galle get a bus to Devalegama. Konāravatta. Rooms in compound. From Warakāpola 15 km to the S towards Ruwanwella. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Cave-ku is. The place belongs to a Siyam Nikaya scholar monk who comes for retreats here and is supportive in supporting forest monks who want to maintain proper vinaya practice. W walawæwa. Pahankanuwa. Elkaduwa 21012. Comfortable ku is and a cave where the arahant Māliyadeva is supposed to have stayed. Ven. Warakāpola. Salgala AS. Mātale. K galla District. Near road and town. Friendly place. Wattegama. Affiliated to Kanduboda.’’ He speaks fluent English and is very knowledgeable in Pā i. Less hot than the coast. nr Mātale. Daily vandana. He is the author of "Concept and Reality" and "Magic of the Mind. see below. Dambulla. who are usually living at the Upasikārāmaya and Mangalārāmaya in Meetirigala. founded in 1934. Nāvimana Y. Ñā arā a through a female medium in Meetirigala. or Warakāpola AS. Well known. Moderately cool climate. Galapitade. Potgulgala A. Large quiet forest monastery on a mountain-top. only pi apāta food. on top of hill. Dambulla. Simple conditions. Belonging to ex-Nyanasīha bhikkhu (Germany). Affiliated to Waturawila. 175. Devanāgala 71527. 1 mile from Alawwa. Alawwa. See Major Places section above. Nr. Kægalla Abhayabhūmi T. Randiwela. an English speaking. Diviyāgala Y. (On Colombo-Kurunegala Rd.) Probably a small place. Mawanella VMC. meditative monk who is quite knowledgeable about the suttas. Nr. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Strict practice of the Dhamma and Vinaya. On Ranawala . Kægalla. Ñā ānanda together with 45 other novice disciples received the Upasampadā. (FM 157 mentions a hermitage founded by A. K galla. Karapane. Bandaranāyake Mawatha. Between Kægalla and Kandy. Pansiyagama. Bandar. . Affiliated to Galdūwa. Wellagala Y. Māwanella. there are ancient cave ku is On every hill in this area there are likely to be ancient cave ku is. on Colombo . Ānandabodhi Y. near Māwanella. Connected to the Kalyā ava sa branch of the Amarapura Nikāya. People in this district are known for their strong faith. Ku is in a forest on a hill. There are 4 branch monasteries connected to this monastery and more are planned. Well supported. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kehelpannala. Ambalakanda. Tummodara Y. Affiliated to Galdūwa.Beligalla Rd.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. Talgamuwa. In June 2004 Ven. Wildnerness areas on and around the hills.5 km) on the Alawwa . and Arankæle A. Between K galla and Kandy. 20 km N of Negombo. Chilaw.) Negombo and Chilaw area. Turn off to Waduwæwa from Yangamodara (3. Hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. (= 10 km N of K galla. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Probably a very small place. Manikkawa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Polgahāwella. Aranayaka (= 15 km W of Gampola. K galla. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Nekkawila. (or Hiriwadunna?). Forest hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. K galla. Tutiriwela.Kurunegala Rd. Pallegama 71022. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ranaketugala AS. Kiriwadunna 71014. Hingula 71520. Udugama. Ranawala. Affiliated to Galdūwa.Polgahāwella rd.22 Mahamevnawa Bhāvanā Asapuwa. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Kodigala Y. There are about 60 monks here. Beligalla 71044. Narangala Ānandabodhi Āshramaya. Aranāyaka -20 kms SE of K galla. Ashokāranya S. Diwela. Hettimula. Koswatta 60424. Hemmatagama 71530. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Koswatta A. The better known ones are Na-Uyana A. There are many aranyas and monasteries in this district. Hills and flatland.) The head monastery of the movement around the very popular teacher Ven. It has ancient caves and is situated on a hill top near Asma ala. Na Uyana AS. Waduwæwa. Bodhithenna Y. Pitiyagama. Kiribathgoda Ñā ānanda. Sri Dharmodaya Y. Affiliated to the Tapovana group. Ānanda Bodhi Āshramaya. Ratanapāla. Polgahawella 60300. Between K galla and Kandy. Nekkawila VMC. Kurunægala District. Nawa Colombo Para. Warm climate. Melsiripura 60544.). In a cave (connected to Arankele A. Vanavasi Rāhula. / Rankotlena AS. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Mahākeliya. / Nabæta A. Siri Vidusarana T. His simple cave can still be visited. Ancient Cave Monastery on a large hill. Nr. Nāgolla A. Meditative atmosphere. Galēwela 21206. Ruwangirikanda A. Good library. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Henegedera Landa.Dambulla Rd. Tel 072-289837.23 Arahatta Maliyadeva AS. Good vinaya. Jathika Namal Uyana. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Turn off at the Mosque and then walk along the cart road to the aranya. some speak English. Rose-quartz rock-outcrops. Ancient Cave Monastery on a rocky hill. Nārammala 60106. Abbot . Mælsiripura on Kurunægala . Ñā asīla. Probably suitable for meditation. Arankæle. There can be a lack of water during the dry season. also known as: Devahuwa A. Small monastery. The head monk Ven. Bulanawewa. Nāthagane AS. Ancient stupa and ruins. Ancient cave monastery where the Singhalese arahant Maliyadeva lived. is helpful. Hunupola. Warm climate. a supportive English speaking Vinayadhara. Near main-road but fairly quiet. Devahuwa. Ven. including young novices. Quiet and suitable for meditation. On the site of the medieval monastery. Foreign monks have stayed here. Affiliated to Galdūwa. On the top of the mountain is a 500 metre long. about 15 or more ku is and caves. Not far from Arankæle Aranya in Kurunægala District. the bathing-pond is still there. Some noise from nearby Puttalam Road. Kumbukwæwa. About 10-12 ku is. 10 km north from Devahuwa A. (The ancient Arankele monastery is on the other side of the mountain. Affiliated to Galdūwa. About 6 monks. Nāgolla. Karagahag dara. Facilities for about 4 monks. The pictures of his practice might still be at Arankæle monastery. or Gomoktāwa A. Amarapura Nikāya. On lower forested slope of the Dolukanda mountain. Sirivimala. Dolukanda. Diddeniya. Nabæta 60540.) Nice big caves. Also a study and training place for young monks. . Friendly atmosphere. Dolukanda A. Small aranya/pansala on a hill in a fairly large forested area. Affiliated to Galdūwa. partly forested plateau with spectacular views where there used to be a fortress/palace of a king. Galkiriyagama. Turn off at Melsiripura. or Arankæle A. Nice forest (Iron-wood-trees). Suitable for meditation. Nice forest. Some isolated caves. Nikadalupotha 60582. The abbot. Māspota 60344. Formerly a major monastery. Westerners have stayed here.Ven.) on the side of this mountain-plateau an American monk strenuously practised Asubha meditation with corpses brought to him by villagers until he went (temporarily) mad and disrobed. 10 kms out of Kurunægala on Puttalam road. 15 km SW of Kurunægala. Forested hill with a nice cave-ku i on top. Ancient Cave Monastery. (On Kurunægala-Anuraddhapura Rd. is trying to protect the quartz and build up a monastery. Piyadassi. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kurunægala District. Forested hill-side. Also other cave-ku is and ordinary ku is. Upalathagama. Facilities for 4-5 monks. Madatugama. About 20 monks. but the place was/is (?) used mostly for popular big Bodhi-pujas with loudspeakers. Abbot: Ven. Rangirigala A. but is now a Pansala as the founder went abroad. Moratiya. Galnewa. Telandapitiya. near Wariyapola on the Kurunægala .24 Ridivihāra Kaelepansala.. Mahagirilla. There is a newly prepared cave on a nicely forested hill about half an hour walk from this ancient and rich vihara belonging to the Malwatta Nāyaka thera. Along Nikawæratiya -Māho Rd. Nāgansole AS. In the area of Wariyapola on Kurunegala -Puttalam Rd. but there is the Wedahitakanda near Kataragama. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kandegedara. Caves and ku is. Ætugala. Tradition unknown. Kodigala AS. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Hot. Maharacchimulla. 3 miles along Nikaweratiya -Hidogama Rd. Mahakæliya. Minnettiya A. Nikawæratiya 60470. 5 kms NW of Māspota. Hidogama AS. Mawatagama.Puttalam Rd. 15 km W of Galgamuwa. Sudarshana Y. Affiliated to Kanduboda. 2 miles to Mahagirilla then to Hidogama. Tuttiripitiyagama 60426. Close to well and stream. Bamunākotuwa 60347. Galēwela 21206. (= 10 km NE of Māho. Several ku is and a large unfinished Dhammahall on a forested hill. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Māspota. Tarangollagama. Ætugala AS. Nikawæratiya 60470. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kurunegala Dt. Less than 10 km from Kurunægala. . / Sri Ka yā ī Shaka Y. Hambantota District Probably the driest district in Sri Lanka. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Ratandala Oya. Polpitigama. Approx. Generally flatland. Affiliated to Waturawila. Moragollāgama. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Delwahuwa. Kurunægala. Kappetigala AS. Fairly quiet. Nikawæratiya 60470. Dandūwawa. Dandūwawa AS. A place set up as a meditation center by a Siyam Nikāya monk. There are also several other caves in the forest. Saliya Lena AS. Near village. From Kurunægala take the Kæpitigolla bus and get out at the Ridivihāra Devāla and walk to Ridivihara. Gantiriyāwa. Nikawæratiya 60470. Sudarshanapura VMC. On the Kurunægala . Affiliated to Galdūwa. Rambapokuna AS. Maybe affiliated to Kandubodha. 10 kms along Kuliyapitia -Hettipola Rd. Banakiyangama Y. (= Midway on the Kurunægala Puttalam Rd. Sindagamdaluwa. Kurunegala District. Pi apāta to nearby village.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. Pahankanuwa A. Bambaragala MC. 1 cave ku i with one monk. Wæwgala. Maragolla Bazar. Nammuwagama AS. 10 km from Migalawa. Kurunægala 60000. Sri Tampa i A. 40 kms north of Kurunegala and 10 km E of Māho. Forest hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Mūnamaldeniya 60218. Banakiyanagama. Galkiriyākanda. especially along the coast. Affiliated to Waturawila. Some large wilderness areas such as Yala. Wæwgala A. Yahangala AS. Navagattegama 61520. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Welewewa. Affiliated to Galdūwa.Kæpitagolla Rd. Kandegædæra. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Sudarshanapura. The incumbent of Ridivihāra needs to be consulted if one wishes to stay here. the pi apata taking consequently that much longer. There is another (uninhabited?) ancient cave monastery near Ridiyagama called Karambagala. There are hot springs in the area. some are dangerous. There are a few elephants in the forest and also other wildlife and snakes. Some noise from nearby road. Ancient cave monastery on remote forested rock-outcrop surrounded by shrubby lowland. Vaturuvile Ñā ananda. Long hot pi apāta starting at 9 am (about 40 minutes each way). 12 kms SE of Tissamahārāmaya. Chanting/Vandana 2 or 3 times a day. Hot.T. P. Also has a few rest-houses where laypeople can stay. Founded in 1951. Kirinda. Hambantota district.25 Nimalawa AS. 212. There are ancient ruins and probably more than a hundred cave-ku is on large 70 meter high granite boulders sticking out of the jungle. Tellula A. who speaks English well. Dry hot climate. Situlpawa. Kandy. A ku i and ruins of ku is and a dānasala in the dunes about 3 km away from Bundala near the mouth of the Kirindi Oya river in the village of Tellula near Sūriyawelawa and Māgama.Dhammadassī. One ku i near the village of Bundala. Kirinda. Western bhikkhus have stayed here. a very strict Mahāthera. Abbot: Ven. From here it is worthwhile to visit the ancient forest monastery of Situlpawa in Yāla National Park. In dune-shrubland in the Bundala National Park near the sea. It is rather hot in the dry season. Now has a new centre with caves which is about 1. or Kataragama. Madunāgala A.2 km more remote than the original centre. For lovers of solitude. Ancient cave ku is under boulders in the jungle. see FM p. Tissamahārāmaya 82614. Hemaratana thera. Large ancient cave-monastery. Koggala. The abbot has plans to make a forest monastery. The monastery was a bit run-down in 1995. E of Siyambalagoda. north of Ridiyagama wæwa. An aranya abandoned during the last JVP uprise. Foreign monks have stayed here. Pi apāta in the village. see below. There are many animals. Tipi aka books are available on request from the Forest Hermitage.) Food can be gotten from the temple and from pilgrims who come to see the stupas and ruins. 15 km north of Ambalantota. Affiliated to Waturawila. Accessible from Tissamahārāma. foreign monks are sometimes exempted. Ñā avira in the late fifties and since then many western bhikkhus have stayed here. It is easiest to walk along the access-road from Tissa and get a lift with the pilgrim-busses or jeeps going there. It is mentioned in the commentaries as a place where there were so many arahants flying in the sky that they obscured the sunlight and the farmers could not grow their crops! The incumbent monk of the place is Ven. About the driest climate you can get in Sri Lanka. About 3 km walking from Kirinda on the way to Yala national park. The ku i was built for Ven. Founded in 1946 by the founder of the Waturawila Vanavāsin group. Bundala Ku i. see Forest Monks of Sri Lanka p. Austere western monks are welcome to stay in the caves (after asking permission from headmonk.S. It is bordering Yala national park and therefore there is contact with elephants and other wildlife. About mid-way between the Tissa entrance and Situlpawa there is a smaller ancient aranya called Makulvihāra under a large rock. Sil-m nayos used to stay here but abandoned the place in the late 1990’s due to the war. 184. From Nimalawa go to main (Kirinda-road) National Park entrance and then take the boundary track north to the Tissa entrance. a Siyam-nikāya monk. Nicely situated in the dunes . Badalkumbura. Dambepitiya 91060. Small place with a large rockshelter with an ancient lying Buddha statue and Veddha drawings. Buttala 91100. Ven. Swarnagiri AS. Dhammasiri. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kanda-uda-wanguwa. Abbot . Monarāgala District There are many small aranyas in this undeveloped area. the abbot of Kudumbigala. Tarulenagala A. Between Siyambalandūwa and Lahugala NP. Affiliated to Galdūwa. 14 miles post. and flatland. big cave for Vandana. Supposed to be a nice place. Galhiramankada. On top of the hill is the Yodalena. Good support. and his father. There might be a few monks from Nimmalawa A. Nice caves. 2 monks. along Monarāgala . Sūriya Āra. Affiliated to Galdūwa.Ven. hills. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Sitakanda AS.26 near an ancient cetiya. Laginagala. Lollehela AS. supposedly the longest rockshelter in SL. Budu-gal-lena AS. Angunukolapæssa is 10 km E of Tanamalwila [which is halfway along the TissamahārāmaWellawaya Rd]. Mountains. Gu ananda . Affiliated to Waturawila. Kotaweramankada. Kataragama. Galgediyawa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Monarāgala 71000. There is an abandoned cave ku i on the peak next to the temple on Wedahitakanda. New Katarama Road. / Habutugala A. There are also other caves. Near Maligawila. Waguruwela. Monastery and facilities probably undeveloped. A French monk stayed there for a long time before passing away in 2003. . 31 Kanuwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Simple conditions. Vajirava sa speaks English. Sīmāpawura AS. Helatungala. Angunukolapelæssa. Wedahitakanda. Tel: 055-73542.a very senior monk. Tanamalwila. 10 km SE of Buttala. One cave-ku i. Monarāgala 91070. Monarāgala 91000.Pottuvil road. Alulena AS. staying here now and rebuilding the place. Wa agambā Rajalena AS. Facilities only for a few monks. On top of rock-hill with good views. Hermitage affiliated to Galdūwa. Monarāgala 91008. Jungle on hill-side. Outside Monarāgala Town. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Hot climate. Tanāmalwila 91312. Poor area. Practice of Pa Auk method. Sandækebelle AS. Tanāmalwila. Ven. Galabedda. Kitulko e. The present Upajjhāya of the Galdūwa tradition. Remote. A swiss monk stayed here for some years. There are plans for developing a major aranya meditation-centre here. Affiliated to Waturawila. Hot climate with a dry season. Hulannuge. A. about 600 feet long. Walaskanda AS. Some noise from the nearby road. Monarāgala 91032 . 055-76265. Kalawela Aragama Para. Theraputtabhaya AS. Affiliated to Waturawila. Pānama. 91000. Ven. Kudumbigala A. Mahagodayaya..27 Sambodhi Y. Dahate Kanuwa. Buttala. Netol Kele Ella Para. It has a hot climate and a dry season. Affiliated to Galdūwa. 91024. Ancient Cave Monastery. Convenient as a stop-over place on a long bus-journey. Mayuragiri AS. Monarāgala. Wewatenna AS. Kumaradola para. very remote. Rattanadeniya. Ven. Monarāgala. Affiliated to Galdūwa. The abbot. is the acting abbot. Kotiyagala. Dahatune Kanuwa. There is a lot of wilderness in this area. Selawa Eliya. Pictures and a history of the place and its founder can be found in FM. The monastery has been going through a difficult period due to the violent death of its founder Ānandasiri during the JVP time and then the war in the East. There are other abandoned ancient monasteries in jungles in the area. On hill above Monarāgala bus-stand. Five monks at present. Tel. In Pānama go to the Sil Mænaya pansala (nunnery) where the abbot’s mother lives and they will help. intends to develop the place into a large international meditation center with the help of Czech monks and a development organisation . Private mail box. which the adventurous can explore. 15 km W of Pānama. Spectacular setting on the eastern border of Yala National Park. The abbot is usually in Tharulenagala Aranya near Hulanuga. Maha Tissa Lena AS. Bibile Road. a Kataragama shrine.2001) due to LTTE presence. Affiliated to Waturawila. caves. Weliyaya. Now the area is accessible again. Affiliated to Waturawila. is in Tharugalena A. Wellawaya. Wellawaya. Affiliated to Waturawila. Affiliated to Waturawila. beyond the hospital. Ven. and a wildlife department office. Punehipara. is about an hours walk. and the junior bhikkhu. with large beaches. . The sil mænayo place is 200 m. Monarāgala Distr. Rahatan Kanda AS / Devagiri AS. It was uninhabited for a three years (1999 . Monarāgala 910000. Bhavanagala AS. he can also help one to get there. Located on Monarāgala Mountain. Wattārāma AS. 10 caves are prepared. but due to its proximity to rebel areas they have not been redeveloped or were abandoned during the war. Affiliated to Galdūwa. 35 Kumaradola para. Ampara District This area has a lot of ancient monasteries. Santasiri. Bakinigahawela. Etimole Wewa. The coast at Okanda. Near Okanda. wild animals. Affiliated to Waturawila. Monarāgala 91000. Wattārāma. Dhammasiri. Sakmangala AS. but now accessible again. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Take a bus from Monarāgala to Pottuvil or Pānama. such as Bambaragastalewa. Dhammasiri. When the abbot. visible from the Kurunægala . 5-6 bhikkhus. or Rastrawella A. and with little noise. Many undeveloped and poor areas. (By car one has to turn off left [south] a few km from Mihintale on the Mihintale-Anuradhapura Rd and then turn left [E] after a few km again. Formerly a quiet cave monastery under Ven. A few ku is. friendly atmosphere. It is a longer walk along the road. but it might be difficult to find the path to the monastery from the beach. formerly connected to Bowalawatta. Katupotha Kanda. In 2003 one young monk stayed here. Palugaswæwa. Ganewalpola. In a wilderness area with elephants and other wildlife. A 2. via Uhana. More than one mile to the E from Galapitigala on the northern slope of the mountain range. Amarapura Nikāya. Possibly the nicest ancient monasteriy site in Sri Lanka with cetiyas on the top of the large hill. West of Anuradhapura is the large Wilpattu NP known for its wildlife. Kalutara Dhammānanda. There has been a pansala here for 30 years but it was abandoned for some years. etc. and then abandoned the place. Strict Natural reserve. The best. Katupotha Kanda Sri Vajiragnana VMC. non-logged virgin forest is where the ruins of the large ancient monastery is managed by the Archeological Dept. Today?? Samangala A. Mihintale Rd.. Ampara. The first Sinhalese arahant. Get out of bus at the Special Task Force camp. This is where the arahant Mahinda started to teach the Dhamma in Sri Lanka. Affiliated to the Tapovana group of the Amarapura Nikāya. Sanāthavihārī. Anuradhapura. Inginiyagala. Nicely situated near the Kaludiya Pokuna bathing pond. Kohombana. It has a hot climate with a dry season. but is not so suitable. Ven. Many tanks.) Anuradhapura District Anuradhapura was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka and the cradle of Singhalese Buddhist culture. large forest with elephants and bears. Many caves around the hill which one can use for meditation. Buddhangala A. is staying here. Mihintale. An English bhikkhu .28 Shastrawella A.) Small place with ancient caves on southern side of the large hill 2 km south of the Mihintale hill. Ancient cave monastery on forested rocky hill ridge which runs about 600 m E from the Special Task Force camp along the Panama . Nice ku is and facilities.Anuradhapura Rd. Mihintale Kanda. 22 Kanatta Rd. Kækirāwa. 25 minutes walking from this place. made a nice ku i in one of the caves. wewas. Galkulama. down below the Mihintale hill. Mostly flatland with some lonely hills and rock-outcrops. 10 caves on the small hill above the monastery have been repaired and are in use. Ritigala A. Sometimes there might be a bit of noise from the road.. Ari ha stayed here. but the pansala area can be busy with villagers. Kaludiya Pokuna T.5 km walk from Ārugam Bay along the beach. Near Pānama are another few ancient abandoned cave monasteries including Wæwawehera near the wæwa (tank) 3 km W of Pānama. Between Pānama and Pottuvil. (= W of Ampara near Gal Oya NP. The ancient cave monastery is on the eastern lower slope of Ritigalakanda mountain.Pottuvil road right up to the the rivermouth of the Heen Oya and beach.. One cave is high on a rock overlooking Ārugam Bay. Ask locals. Kokama A. Ancient cave monastery. BM / Labunurukanda A. Anuradhapura. Halmillawæwa. caves.. Pirivena and ordination centre connected to Waturawila. Palugolla. to the W) and Galgamuwa.. Possibly good for meditation.) Maradankadawala AS. Atdalagala AS. but good support. 2 miles from Resvehera-Sasseruwa. A forest monastery connected to Ritigala A. Mihindu A. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Place on hill with ancient stupa. Western monks have stayed here. Good new ku is and facilities. 3 monks. Padaviya. The best cave is about 15 minutes walking up the slope under a big rock with a great view from its top. Kiribathgoda Ñā ānanda. Pancha Stūpa A. but probably quite a few ancient ones. Pi apāta. Galgamuwa 60721. S of Anurādhapura. Tradition unknown. Take bus from Kækirāwa to Galamudana (± 10 km). Purā a Gallena AS.29 stayed here a long time and helped to build up the place. Migalæwa. A small. Vatavandanapara. get down at Kahatagallewa. From Galgamuwa take a bus to Katugampola and stop at Bongama. There is no sign at the junction. Tammennāwa. If going by car. Hot. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Kahatagollæwa. Approx. Wannikudawæwa. Tambuttagama 60734. Abbot . walk one hour through the forest.Ven. Dampitigama. 30 km SE of Anuradhapura. Affiliated to Waturawila.) Affiliated to Waturawila. 30 kms E of Vavuniya. a friendly English-speaking meditation teacher formerly connected to Kanduboda.Kækirāwa Rd. see Mahamevnawa Asapuwa near K galla. Sambodhi Y. Take bus from Kækirāwa. (About 50 km E of Anuradhapura on Anuradhapura-Trincomalee road. with ku is and ancient caves in forest on top of a forested hill. An English speaking Nepalese monk is the abbot. / Galpokuna A. Sanghappālaya. Kuratiyāwa. (= 25 km. Galpiyuma AS. 15 km W from Kækirāwa. Due to its closeness to rebel infested areas there are not many new monasteries here. Between Kækirāwa (i. Take a bus from Kækirāwa to Habarana and get down at Galapitagala. Ariyañā a. Hot climate. Migalæwa 60750. Monastery connected to Ven. Forest.e. (= Between Māho and Anuradhapura. Subodhārāma A. Affiliated to Waturawila. but popular place. mosquitos. Along road from Mihintale to Anuradhapura. A few bhikkhus and some novices. Vavuniya District The northernmost edge of Singhalese Buddhist culture. Aranya set up by Ven. Giratalana.) Affiliated to Galdūwa. From Galgamuwa take bus to Anamadūwa and get off at Ihala Nanneriya junction. go along the unpaved but reasonable road going east from Galapitigala and turn left at the first junction after about two kms. Lolugasvæva. ½ mile walk. Wedisagiri A. About 7 monks. Anuradhapura. adjacent to large Wæwa (artificial lake). . On Anuradhapura . Yodhayākanda AS. be careful of elephants. Mahamevnawa Bhāvanā Asapuwa. Get out at Arugola (= Alagollewa ??) at the monastery sign. Mahananneriya. Maradankadawala. A few kms NE of Ritigala on the hill facing the northern slope of Ritigalakanda. On the road between Kebatagollewa and Padawiya. On Mahiyangana-Polonnaruwa road. Kudusigiriya A. It can be hot here. This area has a hot climate and a dry season. Habarana 50150. Amarapura Nikāya.Ven. Some large national parks. An undeveloped and poor area. 25 km NW of Polonaruwa. Affiliated to Kanduboda. Awudangawa. 20 kms SE of Polonaruwa. there seem to be no aranyas or meditation centres in the mountain part of this district. Affiliated to Waturawila. There is also an upasikā-ārāmaya in the grounds. Sinhapura VMC. Good viveka. The area is on the border of the Singhalese area and was affected by the war. Padawiya. On a hill with a few caves. Polonnaruwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. (Between Mahiyangana and Bibile). Tea estates with some remnant forest and wilderness areas. Ku is. Friendly abbot. and there is an aranya with about 15 monks in the back. Small area. Abbot . Affiliated to Galdūwa. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Near army camp. Ruins scattered in forest. In a mixed Singhalese-Tamil area. Sīlala kara was shot dead in the mid-nineties by the LTTE. Hot climate with dry season. Head Monk: Ven. The site of an ancient monastery with ancient ruins and statues. Deviyangekanda. Dhamminda. Low country with some hills and rock-outcrops. Several ku is. Sinhapura. . Sa vuta. Amarapura Nikāya. 2 or 3 ku is and a compound. Affiliated to Waturawila. English speaking.30 Sumanatissa (Mahāthera). Nice views from the top of the hill. On Anuradhapura Polonnaruva Rd. Large ancient cave-monastery on a mountain ridge. Badulla district The eastern edge of the mountain country. Strangely enough. Minneriya 51410. Mahasudharshana AS. For those who like a hot climate. Nice forest on a large hill. Affiliated to the Tapovana group. Padaviya Abhayabhumi T. Mahāsena AS. Polonaruwa District. Dimbulāgala. where dasa-sil-maenayo Dhammananda teaches meditation. There are quite a few ancient monasteries on the hills and rocks in this area. 108 Mile Post. Hiriwadunna. Ūraniya. Habarana. A poor. Dimbulāgala MC. The low country E of the mountains around Bibile also appears to be a small part of this district and this is where the following monastery is. Facilities for about 6-8 monks. Cool climate with less rain than the western and central mountains and therefore quite agreeable for westerners. Pahala-oya-gama. In the front section there is a pirivena with about 130 sāma eras. The second ancient capital of Sri Lanka. undeveloped area. Bodhiraja AS. Dehi-ata-kandiya. Ancient cave monastery in large forest area with elephants. A site of strong Singhalese nationalism. The nationalist founder/abbot Ven. Nagalakanda. Weharahena Y. Gadugodawāwa. It is possible to go on pi apāta in nearby villages. Du uwewa. Supposed to be a nice place. Some caves. Midway on the Mahiyangana -Batticaloa Road. Jaffna District. Keerimalai. but it was abandoned after a hurricane destroyed the buildings 15 or so years ago. 25 kms SW of Batticaloa.). Near Kantalai. Some large wilderness areas. mid-way the on the Habarana . Dambakolapatuna. North of Uhana. . Rājagalatenna 32068. but there are 4 caves ku is which are inhabitable and can be repaired.Maha Oya road. Hot climate with dry season. but now accessible again. North of Ratmale. This is supposedly the place where the Sri Mahā Bodhi arrived in Sri Lanka. Potuhera Vipassī. There is an army camp near the place due to its proximity to LTTE areas. Maha Oya. near Bakiella. Vān Ela Amādahara Tapovana. Kankasanture. Two monks.Trincomalee District 31 Trincomalee is a large port and has a mixed community of Singhalese. Undeveloped and poor. Inland there are some large wilderness areas. Affiliated to Galdūwa. Veheragala A. This used to be an arañña built by Ven. Large forest area (1 square mile) bordering a wildlife sanctuary and the extensive ancient Rājagala monastery ruins situated on top of the mountain. Kathārampura. Kathārampura AS. New place of Ven. Near Mayadunna. and Tamils. 50 km from Trincomalee on the Anuradhapura-Trincomalee road. There are some nice ancient buddhist sites on the hills in this district. Muslims. Piyangala AS. close to the Navy base to which the ku i is connected. There are some ancient Buddhist sites in this area. Batticaloa District Some areas in the eastern district of Batticaloa were not accessible for long time due to the war. Long time unsuible due to war. Affiliated to Waturawila. One or two ku is in quiet dune area near the beach. No monks at present. Ambalampitiya Rāhula (the founder of Bowalawatta A. midway along the Amapara . The place is supposed to be quite nice. The inland is undeveloped and poor. Affiliated to Galdūwa.Trincomalee road. Ancient cave monastery on a hill 1 km from the Maha Oya hot springs.