Meditation in Sri Lanka

Meditation Centers in Sri Lanka

International Vipassana Meditation Centre

This meditation centre was established with an aim to Lord Buddha’s noble teachings to human beings of all races and religions. With about 50 years of experience in meditation, this center specializes in Vipassana meditation – a technique that allows a person to see the reality of life as it is.

Address: No 108, Wijerama Mawatha,
Colombo 07.
Office Hours: Everyday
8.00 am – 10.30 am
1.30 pm – 5.30 pm
8.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Phone : 0612 694100
Web : www.lankavipassana.org

Damrivi Foundation

Buddhism provides a great philosophy and teachings for a way of life that promotes welfare of humans and environmental harmony. With the inspiration of this conviction a group of academic professionals established this foundation in 2003, guided by Buddhist insights and philosophy. Through these insights, they aim to enrich lives of individuals and society. Activities and programs are customized towards nurturing values, attitudes and ideas of people to ensure wellbeing in all states of mind, equality and social justice, ultimately to diminish all sufferings.

Prana Lounge

Prana Lounge is a solid platform that offers solutions catering to wellbeing as well as treatment options for prevention, healing and cure. This property is located amidst a beautiful heritage building – Colombo Cinnamon Gardens, a peaceful atmosphere indeed. The ultimate goal of this institute is to provide evolving concepts of health management solutions with an aim to grow and glow from your inner self. In addition to yoga, meditation, health related therapies, events, seminars and workshops; Prana Lounge also has a delicious Café Kumbuk that caters to healthy food lovers.

Nilambe Meditation Centre

Nilambe Meditation Centre is an authentic Buddhist meditation retreat, established in the 1970s. Godwin Samararathne was one of the popular founders and meditation teachers at the centre and his guests included Christian priests, Chinese Buddhists and all sorts of other groups. He left this world over a decade ago but he is one personality that will be remembered throughout the existence of Nilambe Meditation Centre. Mr. Alahankoon was another one of the founders and the backbone of the centre and he cared about the place like a father would care about his children.

To get the maximum benefit of the meditation retreat, the Centre advices that the retreat should be started from the beginning, completed fully, not left halfway or not joined halfway through either.  Activity participation is also encouraged for further benefits.

Address: Galaha
Office Hours: 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

Paramita Meditation Centre

Previously a tea plantation now transformed into a meditation centre, the Paramita meditation centre has a picturesque view from the top of a hill. The design of the building gives a feel of a spiritual home for people from across the world to come and learn Buddhist meditation. Visitors are encouraged to settle their mind and body into a natural state upon arrival. Professionals at the centre request you to point out your expectations and anxieties of the real world, as well as open up to an honest life. Participants should isolate themselves by keeping aside all electronic devices that connect them to the outside world and observe Noble Silence to embrace the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Kanduboda Siyane Meditation Centre

Kanduboda Siyane meditation centre invites the citizens of the world to discover the fountain of wisdom within themselves through the technique of Vipassana meditation. In 1956, this centre was opened under the sponsorship of a meditation master from Burma. Ven. Sumathipala Thero played an immense role in the creation of the meditation center. Kanduboda Siyane can accommodate up to 70 participators at a time, with accommodation, meals and services offered free of charge. Donations funds the entire centre and meditation programs are designed for visitors to stay weeks or months.

Rathmalkanda Meditation Centre

In Oct 2006, the founder of Kanduboda Meditation Centre moved to the beautiful town of Ella and established a meditation centre amidst the cool and dry climate there. Nestled in between luscious tea estates, green hills and breathtaking mountain ranges, it is the ideal atmosphere for meditation.

Ridee Viharaya

In the village of Ridigama, close to the city of Kurunegala, lies a Silver Temple known as Ridi Viharaya built in the 2nd Century BC. The temple is believed to have provided silver ore for constructing one of the largest stupas in the country. Apart from the temple, there are several rock caves that nomadic monks used for mediation in the ancient days. Today, meditation huts are still popular at the Ridi Viharaya with comfortable meditation rooms.

Ashram Sri Lanka

This spiritual retreat center is in a place full of peace and tranquility, the beauty of flora and fauna, and an opportunity to meditate in the midst of a jungle. Ashram Sri Lanka provides a spiritual awakening for those who are unable to absorb the demands of everyday life. The aim of meditation at this centre is to seek release from the cycle of birth and death. If one is serious about meditation, this seemingly impossible task can be achieved with the prospects of several benefits. Techniques of modern psychology, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity are used here to uplift people’s personal mind development and growth. Ashram Sri Lanka is a refuge and a perfect escape from the ordinary life.

Rockhill Hermitage International Meditation Centre

This charitable foundation promotes the practice and learning of meditation and Buddhism. Located deep in Sri Lanka’s central mountain regions, you will find pleasant climate conditions, plenty of flora and fauna as well as a natural water spring on site. In addition to a large meditation hall, the hermitage has a monastery, a men’s area, a nunnery and a women’s area. With a massive 15 acres in its possession, Rockhill Hermitage Meditation Centre also has a library, a few caves and some student houses scattered here and there. At the beginning of every month, intensive 10 day meditation courses are held and individual retreats for indefinite periods can also be arranged. Ven Silatawa is the founder of this 36 year old meditation centre and he teaches Vipassana meditation in both English and Sinhala languages.

Kanduboda Meditation Center

The 2500th Buddha Jayanti saw a great revival in Buddhism in Sri Lanka. There was renewed attention to Vipassana Meditation. Prime Minister at the time Sir John Kotelawala held dicussions on what could be done. The Burmese ambassador at the time U Ba Lwin during a meeting had suggested that the best thing to was to promote Insight meditation techniques to the Sri Lankans, which is the only way to bring immense satisfaction to them. The Lanka Vipassana Bhavana Samitiya (Lanka Insight Meditation Society) was formed.

On 28th July of 1955, a Burmese delegation of four theros led by U Sajata, a close assistant to Mahasi Sayadaw, arrived in Sri Lanka. Under their guidance and with from locals a complete meditation center was built in about six months at Kanduboda, a serene suburb 25kms from Colombo.

Paramita International Meditation Center

Perched on top of hill Kadugannawa with panoramic views of the sprawling valleys below, Paramita Meditation Centre is built on the site of a previous tea plantation. Its terraced hillside, thickly forested with old tea bushes, pepper vines, jackfruit, avocado, nutmeg and clove trees, attract rich native wild life as long-tailed Macaques live along side squirrels, indigenous birds and their human brethren. The Centre is designed as a spiritual home for the resident monastics and all visitors alike.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, many find this place to cleanse one’s soul judging by its surrounding and space provided.

Sri Subodharama international Meditation Center

Sri Subodha Meditation Centre is located in the hill country of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the green misty mountains creating the serene Valley, Ambuluwawa, Nilambe, and Peradeniya. More than 1500 children attend the Sunday Dhamma School to study the Buddhis teaching and practice the precept.

The Sri Subodharama is a charitable organization and is managed Subodharama Sasana Seva Society.

Dhamma Kuta

A meditation centre where Vipassana meditation courses are given in the tradition of Sayagi U Ba Khin, as taught by S.N. Goenka.

The centre is located in an abandoned tea estate on a mountain slope with scenic views and a cool climate. Only intensive 10-day meditation courses are held here, both for males and female. One is not allowed to talk during the courses, except for interviews with the teacher, and there are several group sittings during the day.

Sambudu Maga Hanthana International Centre

The founding president of the Sambudu Maga Hanthana International centre spend decades researching and finding resources, to what has culiminated into a school to promote meditation practices and a centre where both locals and foreigners can come meditate and learn for free.

Amawathura Meditation Center

The Mahamewna Amawathura Bhavana was once an old home before being converted to a meditation centre. It is so popular that the place is today a distinct landmark along the road to Kaduwela.

Having gathered artisans from around the country, Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda, equipped with only the generosity of followers there, initiated the construction of a new building that stands today.

Arankele Forest Monastery

If you are looking for a haven of peace and quietude – why not spend the day at Arankele Monastery. Its green sylvan surroundings will relax and refresh you instantly and completely. According to theories, the place was never meant be a centre but it was once an ancient forest monastery.

The name Arankele exaggerates about a hermitage where Arahants resided. It is witnessed that famous Buddhist monk, Arahat Malyadeva thero was accommodated here. Even today about 18 bhikkus are practicing old and new meditation methods in the hermitage. The hermitage was supposed to be built around 8th century.

The monks who dwell here are called Pansukulika, which means rag-robes. Here the monks take a vow to wear only robes made from rags. A special feature of these buildings is that it is raised by platforms formed by retaining walls of massive stone in pairs and linked by a stone bridge. The buildings are also surrounded by water troughs to keep the interior of the building cool.

Dekanduwala Meditation Centre

Some say that merely sitting on a wooden bench under the giant trees which shelter the Dekanduwala Dhamma Training and Meditation Centre for Bhikkunis in Kananwila, Horana and absorbing the surroundings feels like meditation in itself.

Sprawling across 20 acres, the meditation centre was established in 1993 by Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thero in filling the void of a meditation centre which could cater to both monks and lay people- local and foreign alike.

Sanatha Suwaya

Sanatha Suwaya is a meditation and holistic wellness center in Sri Lanka’s Central Province providing a forum for instruction and practice in mindfulness traditions and holistic therapies. Sanatha Suwaya is intended to be a place for discussion, learning, mental and physical exertion, exploration, growth, dissemination, communion, and exposure.

Sanatha Suwaya is non-religious organization and does not promote any philosophy over another. As a “wellness” center, they work to provide a space of peace, where a variety of wholesome experiences and services can be offered.

Dewanampiyathissa ISVMC

Devanapathis International Samatha-vipassana Meditation Center is most often known as the Pallekele Meditation Center is Buddhist monastery because of the location it is situated in. It was founded by late Ven. Walane Amatha Gavesi Thero in 1991.

Its founder the Late Venerable Amatha Gavesi wanted a Meditation Centre where the Strict methods of Meditation in terms of the Buddha’s discourses are followed.

He was also a firm believer that women were spiritually more caring and the Buddha Sasana will continue its existence through the piety and devotion of the Buddhist Women. Therefore, he sought the assistance of these lay women Upasikavo in white robes. In 1996 he invited Chandra Manio from Pothuhera, Kurunegala, who was an ordained yellow robed Sil Matha to head the Order of Nuns, he intended to establish later.

Pagoda Meditation Center

Situated at 49/2 2st cross street, Pagoda road in Nugegoda, the Pagoda Meditation centre started by well known Ven. Olanda Ananda, a senior dutch monk. He speaks Sinhala fluently and has been teaching meditation for a long time both in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Lanka Vipasanna International Meditation Center

The Nisala Foundation

The Nisala Foundation is a secular venue specialising in yoga and consciousness related practices, in Ududumbara in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is open to all levels of practitioners of spirituality, from beginner to intermediate, to advanced. Set up in 2064, it teaches both traditional and modern spiritual practices to attain a deep state of awareness and energetic purification within the seeker. The Center is becoming a popular place among visitors to Sri Lanka due to the quality of its teaching, who are looking for a break from their habitual routine, to visit and engage in secular, yet deep spiritual practices, and enter into a field of awareness that is rooted deep relaxation, peace, and awareness.

To cap the quality of teaching, the Center is situated overlooking the beautiful Knuckles mountains range, surrounded by a forest reserve, paddy fields, and couple of houses that comprise an ancient village. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is an idyllic place for a spiritual getaway.