Paramitha International Buddhist Meditation Center

Paramita Meditation Centre

Perched on top of a hill 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.

The purpose of our Centre is to provide a venue for people from all over the world to come and learn Buddhist meditation, as well as to deepen their practice by participating in group-retreats.

As Paramita Meditation Centre was implemented with the international community in mind, guidance by an experienced resident teacher who is available most of the year is provided in English.

Our Values

Simplicity

Here at Paramita Meditation Centre, we encourage visitors to experience the joy of settling down the mind and body into its natural state once you arrive.

As such, we invite you to lay down your expectations and anxieties of the outside world and to open yourself up to the honesty of a simple life.

Noble Silence

We strongly encourage all visitors to put away your electronic gadgets and phones during the duration of your stay, to reveal the effortless awareness and present attention that comes with silence. In doing so, you allow yourself to discover your fountain of inner resources while healing and nourishing physically and mentally.

Embracing the teachings of the Buddha, we invite all who visit to observe Noble Silence. This maintains the calm and nurturing space that provides visitors and practitioners alike, the benefit of being able to understand what the Buddha meant by “seeing things as they truly are”. Just as tea leaves settle down to the bottom of the cup with time, so does the mind with silence.

Safe

We actively cultivate a safe environment for practice by requesting that all who visit observe the 5 mindfulness trainings:

Not only to refrain from killing; but also to cherish life

Not only to refrain from taking what is not given; but also to practice generosity and gratitude for what is given

Not only to refrain from sexual indiscretions: but also to protect the sanctity and security of one’s practice

Not only to refrain from speaking untruths; but also to be honest with ourselves

Not only to abstain from consuming intoxicants; but also to nourish the body and mind

Our History

Early Days

Venerable Bellanwila Dhammaratana Maha Thero, or affectionately known simply as Bhante, was born in Sri Lanka and received his Buddhist ordination at the age of 13. In 1973, Bhante left Sri Lanka for Singapore at the invitation of Venerable M. Mahavihara to assist in making Buddhist teachings more readily available.

During this time he set up the Singapore Buddhist Library and the Buddhist Research Society, whose like-minded members quickly became his support base for the need of a meditation retreat centre for international visitors to practice in, away from the urban metropolis the city has become.

The Search

Finally in 1992, Bhante set out to look for the perfect location for the meditation retreat centre in various parts of Sri Lanka. He wanted to find a place that was well acclimated with pleasant weather conducive to the practice of meditation. He was shown several locations, and then along came an offer of a piece of land that used to be a tea plantation.

“Back then, there were no roads, no stairs, just the side of a mountain that was an abandoned tea plantation, thick with thorny forestation,” described Bhante. Buoyed by mere intuition, Bhante made the steep ascent on foot, supporting himself by grabbing bushes and bramble along the way up. By the time he reached the top of the hill, he was covered in scratches and leeches. But he was also rewarded for his efforts by what he saw next.

Upon reaching the precipice, he could see three flat plains that would work as the foundation for a meditation centre. Yet many warned him about the high cost of constructing a building atop a mountain. Undaunted, Bhante pressed on with his plans as he saw what the place could potentially be.

With Bhante’s tenacity and the unyielding support he received from his supporters, construction for Paramita Meditation Centre began in 1998 and was mostly completed in 2002.

The three flat plains eventually became the site for the Dining Hall (1998), Main Shrine and Meditation Hall (2000), and the Stupa, built later in 2008.

Paramita Meditation Centre consists of

a Main Shrine and Meditation Hall (Sri Somaratana Hall),

a Group Retreat Meditation Hall (Dhammaratana Hall),

a Stupa (Chetiya),

a Dining Hall,

an extensive Library,

a Bookstore,

and 17 cabins (kutis).

In line with the Buddhist practice of seeing that all things are dependent upon one another, the Centre is built around core principles of sustainability and ecological preservation. As few trees as possible were removed during the construction of this site, thereby preserving the natural habitat of the native flora and fauna.

Paramita Meditation Centre aims to be clean, simple and spartan in design and construction, with open spaces to breathe, walk and meditate. While we have a few key staff, we depend on our visitors to keep the place clean and functional. As such, all visitors are responsible for the housekeeping of their own kuti during their stay and washing up after each meal.

Shoes or slippers are to be removed upon entering any building or kuti, especially the Meditation Halls, Library and Dining Hall.

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Sri Somaratana Hall

Also known as the Main Shrine and Meditation hall, Sri Somaratana Hall was named by the Founder Venerable Bellanwila Dhammaratana in honour of his late teacher Venerable Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayaka Thera. It was also one of the first buildings constructed when Paramita Meditation Centre opened in December 2000.

Hibiscus and jasmine abound in the surrounding gardens and their blossoms are used for the puja services in the beautiful shrine hall each morning.

On full moon or poya days, throngs of locals stream in dressed in full white attire come to pay their respects to the Buddha, listen to Dhamma talks, practice walking or sitting meditation while observing noble silence.

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Dhammaratana Hall                

So named as a tribute to the Founder by his followers, Dhammaratana Hall was officially opened in August 2015. The Hall is intended for group retreats, to have a private space away from the Main Shrine to practice in.

Able to hold up to 20 people comfortably, Dhammaratana Hall also has an outdoor patio with a breathtaking view under the open sky that is conducive to meditation in all four postures (sitting, standing, lying down, walking), or simply just being present with one’s breath.

Chetiya (Stupa)

In July 2008, the Chetiya (Stupa) was officially opened to great fanfare. The Stupa is traditionally a structure containing the relics of the Buddha, so as to inspire all to walk the path he discovered. However, Paramita Meditation Centre’s Chetiya was designed and built with the added intention of providing practitioners with a room for meditation shielded from all outside noise and distractions.

The Chetiya sits tall on bed of sand, and marks the highest point of the Paramita Meditation Centre. A Bodhi tree sapling was specially brought in from Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara and planted in front of the Stupa as a reminder of the path the Buddha taught and what he was able to overcome.

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Bodhi Tree

The Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment meditating under a Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in India. In the 3rd Century BC, the right-wing branch from the historical Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was subsequently brought to Sri Lanka by Sangamitta Thera, the daughter of Emperor Asoka, who was also the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.

Planted in Mahamewna Gardens in 249 BC by King Devanampiya Tissa, the Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura is said to be the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known historical record. It is widely regarded as one of the most sacred Buddhist symbols in Sri Lanka.

32 saplings from this tree were distributed across the world and one of it was planted in Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara.

Today, a sapling obtained in 2012 from the tree at Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara grows strong in front of the Stupa at the highest point of Paramita Meditation Centre, reminding us of the path Buddha taught.

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Library

For those who wish to further their Buddhist studies and research, Paramita Meditation Centre offers excellent resources. The Library, through its relationship with the Singapore Buddhist Library and Buddhist Research Society has an extensive collection of Buddhist texts and publications about Buddhism. The texts include all traditions and schools of Buddhism.

Dining Hall

We serve nourishing home-style vegetarian food, cooked using fresh local produce. Breakfast is often served simply, with lunch as the main meal of the day. As Buddhist monastics only observe two meals a day, a light snack and beverages will be served for those who require a third meal in the evening.

We do our best to cater to specific individual dietary requirements or medical needs where possible. However, please bring your own supplies, supplements and medications as necessary.

Noble silence is observed during meal times. The mindful act of consuming food reminds us of our dependence upon and the gratitude we feel towards the efforts of countless beings and conditions that have made each meal possible. Kindly also refrain from engaging in reading and other activities when you eat or drink.

It is in this same spirit that we ask you to kindly help clean up after each meal.

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Accommodation

The cabins called kutis are equipped with modern toilets and showers, electricity and room fans. The beds have comfortable mattresses and linen is provided. They are all within convenient distance to the meditation halls, dining hall and the library.

On a space available basis, and earliest reservation date, single occupancy will be the preferred assignment. Two dormitories with multiple beds are also available for larger retreat groups.

In the spirit of generosity in communal living, please be kind, considerate, courteous, and not do anything that may cause an inconvenience to others. In accordance with the practice of mindfulness, all visitors are asked to maintain, clean up their kuti and dispose of their trash before they leave, in gentle anticipation of the next visitor.

During your stay, kindly note that complete segregation of the sexes is to be observed. Please avoid all physical contact except in case of emergencies. We ask that Paramita Meditation Centre be respected as a sanctuary for study and meditation, not as a hotel or a recreation centre for passing tourists.

Bookstore

The Centre has an on-site bookstore with a wide variety of books from many publishers. These are available at reasonable prices.

In the spirit of making the teachings of the Buddha widely accessible, visitors can also find books here that have been printed for free distribution.

Paramita Meditation Centre

No. 7, Kandy Road, Kadugannawa, Sri Lanka

Tel/Fax: (+94 77) 448 1980

General Information

Kadugannawa is a town located in the Kandy District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated approximately 100 km away from the Country’s Capital – Colombo, along the A1, Colombo-Kandy Road.

Paramita Meditation Centre is also situated along this route, and within 100 metres of the famous landmark Kadugannawa Rock Tunnel, known locally as “Gala widapu thena”.

Airport Transfer to Paramita Meditation Centre

As many of our visitors are foreign, we understand if you prefer to have someone meet you upon arrival at the Colombo Bandranaike International Airport. As such, we can help arrange with an external service company to receive and transport you directly to Paramita Meditation Centre.

This costs approximately Rp8000, which you can pay directly to the driver. You can indicate this request for this service when you register with us.

Travelling time is approximated at 2.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. First-time visitors and those who arrive in Colombo in the evening are strongly advised to use this mode of transportation.

By Public Taxi              

Upon your arrival at the Airport, you can ask for a taxi from the taxi counter to take you to Paramita Meditation Centre.

By Bus and Train               

Step 1: Getting to Colombo Fort Railway Station or the Colombo Fort Bus stand

By Highway Buses

Approach the Sri Lanka Tourism Information Centre at the Airport and ask whether there are any highway buses heading towards Colombo during that time. The Highway Bus Service has specified schedules and operates till 9 pm daily.

If available, use this service to get to the Colombo Fort Railway Station (and also the Colombo Fort Bus Stand, which is near the railway station).

By Normal Buses

If the Highway Bus Service is unavailable, get directions from the Airport Officials to reach the Averiwatte Bus Stop, which is a 0.5 km away and a 15-minute walk. Normal buses heading to Colombo (Fort Railway Station & Fort Bus Stand) are available 24 hours a day and are scheduled every 15 minutes.

Step 2: Getting to Paramita Meditation Centre

By Bus from the Colombo Fort Bus stand

Upon reaching the Fort Bus Stand, also known locally as Pettah Bus Stand, get on the bus that goes to Kandy (Colombo-Kandy Bus, Route No 1). There are Normal Buses as well as Air Conditioned Express Buses available. Air Conditioned Express Buses may cost a little more but it cuts down travel time, stopping only upon passengers’ request.

Tell the conductor of the bus that you want to get down at the bus stop after the Kadugannawa Rock Tunnel.

One will pass the towns of Peliyagoda – Kiribathgoda – Miriswatte – Nittambuwa – Warakapola – Ambepussa – Nelundeniya – Galigamuwa – Kegalle – Mawanella. Following Mawanella is Kadugannawa.

There is a signboard of the Paramita Meditation Centre clearly visible on the opposite side of the road, 100m after the Rock Tunnel.

By Train from the Colombo Fort Railway Station

Get on a train heading to Kadugannawa. Typically there are eight trains heading to Kadugannawa daily, the first leaving Fort at 5.55am and the last at 8pm.

Alight at the Kadugannawa Train Station. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours from Fort Railway Station to Kadugannawa depending on weather situations. Remember to preserve your train ticket until you arrive at your destination.

From Kadugannawa Train Station, take a 10-minute ride on a three-wheeler to get to Paramita Meditation Centre.