Island Hermitage, Buddhist forest monastery in Dodanduwa Island, Sri Lanka.
Island Hermitage is a Buddhist forest monastery set on two small islands in the Dodanduwa lagoon in southwestern Sri Lanka. The islands are surrounded by water and dense jungle and can only be reached by boat.
The monastery was founded in 1911 and was the first Theravada center in Sri Lanka built specifically for Western practitioners. It soon drew monks from Europe and shaped how Buddhism spread beyond Asia.
The monastery library holds Buddhist texts in many languages, used by monks and visitors from around the world. The place has long served as a study center for practitioners coming from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Anyone wishing to visit or stay must request approval in advance and bring white clothing, a flashlight, and insect repellent. Since the site is dedicated to practice and silence, it is worth reading the monastery guidelines before traveling.
The Chapter House stands on stilts over the water and is where monks gather regularly to recite sacred texts together. This combination of open water and religious ritual is unusual in the Buddhist world.
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