Abhayagiri Monastery Complex & Stupa

Verification: in review · Coordinates: unverified

What is this site?

Vast monastic university complex housing 5,000 international Buddhist scholars, including the monumental Abhayagiri , Samadhi Buddha, and Kuttam .

Why it matters

A center of cosmopolitan Mahayana and Theravada scholarship visited by Chinese pilgrim Faxian in the 5th century CE.

Description

Founded by King Valagamba on the site of a Jain hermitage (Giri); served as the rival theological institution to the Mahavihara for a thousand years. Associated patrons (as supplied): King Valagamba, King Gajabahu I. Key features to look for: Kuttam (Twin Ponds) hydraulic stone engineering; Samadhi Buddha granite sculpture in deep meditation; Abhayagiri Sandakada Pahana () with 4-animal frieze; Restored brick dome with authentic square harmika.

Photos

Historical and scholarly sources

Reference as supplied in project dataset (pending verification): Atamasthana #5; UNESCO Ref: 200 (1982)

Visiting responsibly

Dress modestly at religious sites, remove shoes and hats where requested, never climb on monuments or pose with your back to Buddha images, and follow guidance from custodians and the Department of Archaeology.