Island Hermitage, Buddhist forest monastery in Dodanduwa Island, Sri Lanka.
The Island Hermitage spans two islands, Polgasduwa and Metiduwa, surrounded by jungle vegetation and diverse wildlife approximately 2 kilometers from Dodanduwa coast.
Founded in 1911 by Nyanatiloka Mahathera, the monastery became the first Theravada Buddhism center established specifically for Western practitioners in Sri Lanka.
The monastery houses a substantial library containing Buddhist literature in multiple languages, including the Pali Canon written in six different scripts.
Visitors must obtain advance approval for extended stays and bring essential items like white clothing, a flashlight, insect repellent, and valid travel documents.
The Chapter House, positioned above the lake, serves as a gathering space where monks perform rituals and recite Pāṭimokkha every fortnight.
Inception: July 9, 1911
GPS coordinates: 6.10817,80.13822
Latest update: March 8, 2025 11:11
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