Abhayagiri Monastery

The Abhayagiri Monastery and the big Stupa or Dagaba were built by King Vattagamini Abhaya. He ruled Sri Lanka during the first century BC. He chose this site on his triumphant return after having had to flee from invaders. Over 5,000 monks have dwelled there. It acts as a meditation and learning centre like a university.
Even after passing thousand years, the monastery still offers a fascinating journey to an ancient era. The Abhayagiri Dagaba, is a little over 100 metres, in height and one of the most striking attractions in Anuradhapura.

History of Abhayagiri Monastery

Historically it was a great monastic centre. Also a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories. It is with a roof of gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colours. To the north of the city, encircled by great walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades and moonstones, stood “Abhayagiri”, one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five major viharas. One of the focal points of the complex is an ancient stupa, the Abhayagiri Dagaba. Surrounding the humped dagaba, Abhayagiri Vihara was a seat of the Northern Monastery, or Uttara Vihara and the original custodian of the Tooth relic on the island

The term “Abhayagiri Vihara” refers not only to the complex of monastic buildings. But also to a fraternity of Buddhist monks, or Sanga, which maintained its own historical records, traditions and way of life. Founded in the 2nd century BC, it had grown into an international institution by the 1st century AD, attracting scholars from all over the world and encompassing all shades of Buddhist philosophy. Its influence can be traced to other parts of the world, through branches established elsewhere. Thus, the Abhayagiri Vihara developed as a great institution vis‑a‑vis the Mahavihara and the Jetavana Buddhist monastic sects in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura.