Na Uyana Aranya
Monastery·Sri Lanka·3rd century BC·Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā
Nā Uyana Aranya is a significant Buddhist forest monastery located in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, renowned for its extensive forest grounds and dedication to meditation practices. It is a primary center for the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā and serves as a residence for a large monastic community, including foreign monks, and is known for its adherence to the Pa-Auk meditation method.
Key Facts
- ›Spans over 2,040 hectares of forest on the 'Dummiya' mountain range.
- ›Features ancient cave dwellings with Brāhmī inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
- ›The main meditation method practiced is 'Pa-Auk Samatha Vipassana'.
- ›Houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks, including about 25 foreign monks.
- ›The monastery is divided into four main sections: Pansiyagama, 'Mountain', Matale, and Aandagala.
- ›Experienced a tragic accident on September 24, 2025, when a funicular cable snapped, resulting in the deaths of eight monks.
Important Relationships
- Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā
- Pa-Auk Sayadaw
- Mahasi Sayadaw
- Nissarana Vanaya
- Ancient Cave Dwellings With BrāHmī Inscriptions
- Ruins of A Small Stupa Complex
- Ceylon Ironwood Forest
- Funicular
- Rediscovery of the Ancient Monastery By Most Venerable BōDhiraḳḳHitha MahāThēRa In 1954.
- Visit By Sayadaw U Nandavamsa and Sayadaw U Javana In 1956.
- Revival Initiated By Most Venerable Angulgamuwe Ariyananda MahāThēRa In 1997.
- Funicular Accident On September 24, 2025, Resulting In the Deaths of Eight Monks.
About Na Uyana Aranya
What is Nā Uyana Aranya?
Nā Uyana Aranya, also known as Nā Uyana Āranya Senāsanaya, is a prominent Buddhist forest monastery situated in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Its name, translating to 'Ironwood Grove Forest Monastery,' highlights the ancient Ceylon ironwood forest that forms a significant part of its expansive grounds. The monastery is deeply associated with the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā and is recognized as a principal meditation center, attracting both local and international monks.
History and Significance
Archaeological evidence, including ancient cave dwellings with Brāhmī inscriptions and the remnants of a small stupa complex, indicates that Nā Uyana has been a site of monastic practice since at least the 3rd century BCE. An inscription suggests that King Uttiya, successor to King Devanampiya Tissa (under whom Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka), donated his pleasure grove, placing Nā Uyana among the earliest monastic establishments outside Anuradhapura. The ancient site was rediscovered in 1954 by Most Venerable Bōdhiraḳḳhitha Mahāthēra. A significant revival began in 1997 when Most Venerable Angulgamuwe Ariyananda Mahāthēra established a larger monastic presence, making it the largest monastery within the Yogasrama Samstha and a key international center.
Meditation and Layout
Nā Uyana Aranya is one of the two main meditation monasteries of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā, the other being Nissarana Vanaya. The monastery adheres to the 'Pa-Auk Samatha Vipassana' meditation method, guided by senior meditation teachers. The monastery's vast area, spanning over 2,040 hectares, is divided into four distinct sections: Pansiyagama, 'Mountain,' Matale, and Aandagala. These sections vary in their landscape and facilities, with Pansiyagama serving as the ancient monastery site and Aandagala being a remote area reserved for practitioners undertaking austere vows. The monastery operates a simple funicular to aid movement across its varied terrain.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Nā Uyana Aranya?
Nā Uyana Āranya Senāsanaya translates from Sinhala to 'Ironwood Grove Forest Monastery'. The name reflects the ancient Ceylon ironwood forest that is part of the monastery's grounds.
When was the ancient monastery at Nā Uyana established?
Ancient cave dwellings and ruins suggest monastic activity dating back to the 3rd century BCE. An inscription indicates that King Uttiya donated his pleasure grove to the Sangha, suggesting it was an early monastic site outside Anuradhapura.
What meditation tradition is practiced at Nā Uyana Aranya?
The primary meditation method taught at Nā Uyana Aranya is 'Pa-Auk Samatha Vipassana', following the tradition introduced by Pa-Auk Sayadaw.
How is Nā Uyana Aranya structured?
The monastery is organized into four main sections: Pansiyagama, 'Mountain', Matale, and Aandagala. Each section has its own distinct characteristics and facilities, with Aandagala being a remote area for austere practitioners.
What happened on September 24, 2025, at Nā Uyana Aranya?
On this date, the cable of the monastery's funicular snapped, causing it to crash downhill. The incident tragically resulted in the deaths of eight monks and injuries to five others.
Related Buddhist Temples
Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya
The Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was a preeminent "great monastery" (mahāvihāra) for Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, established in the capital city of Anuradhapura by King Devanampiya Tissa. It served as a vital center for Buddhist scholarship, attracting international scholars and producing influential commentaries on Buddhist scriptures, making it a cornerstone of Theravada orthodoxy.
Vessagiri
Vessagiri, also known as Issarasamanarama, is an ancient Buddhist forest monastery located within the ruins of Anuradhapura, an ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Its origins date back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the mid-3rd century BC, and it was later expanded to accommodate approximately five hundred monks.
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Tissamaharama, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It was established as one of the country's first major Buddhist monasteries and served as a significant educational center for Southern Sri Lanka from the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century CE. The temple is particularly notable for its Tissamaharama Dagoba, one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka.