Na Uyana Aranya (Monastery) is a Buddhist forest monastery in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. It is associated with the Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha. It spreads over more than 5000 acres of wooded area on the ‘Dummiya’ mountain range. It provides shelter to about 150 Buddhist priests. The name “Na Uyana” is derived because of the old Ceylon ironwood forest that forms part of the monastery.
History of the place
Ancient cave dwellings with Brahmi inscriptions have been discovered including some ruins of a small Stupa complex at Na Uyana which date back to 3rd century BC. The new stupa of the monastery is built on the place of this complex. King Uttiya was the successor of King Devanampiya Tissa. The first Na Uyana that was established outside of Anuradhapura is in the United States. The ancient monastery was rediscovered with the help of Ven. Wigoda Bodhirakkhita Thero in 1954. In 1956 the senior Burmese disciples of Mahasi Sayadaw visited the monastery namely Sayadaw U Nandavamsa and Sayadaw U Javana. Ven. Angulgamuwe Ariyananda Thero moved to Na Uyana in 1997 with a group of priests. He then began a revival that has made it the largest monastery within the Yogasrama Samstha. It is also one of the important worldwide monasteries in Sri Lanka, with about 25 overseas clergymen. Ven. Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahathera, the Spiritual Director of Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha, also used to live in Na Uyana.
Things to do in Na Uyana Aranya (Monastery)
1. Learn Buddha’s Teachings
Na Uyana Aranya (Monastery) is the best place to learn and practice Buddha’s pure teachings.The lessons are taught by experienced well-qualified theros ensuring that you will get Buddha’s pure teachings.
2. Meditation
Na Uyana is one of the two most important meditation monasteries of the Yogasrama Samstha, together with Nissarana Vanaya. The essential meditation technique taught is ‘Pa-Auk Samatha Vipassana’, and the senior meditation trainer is Ven. Ariyananda Thera. Practitioners may be a part of the group sittings conducted in the two main meditation halls or have one in their kutis. Ven. Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw undertook a long-term personal retreat at Na Uyana Aranya in 2007, staying in seclusion and postponing his coaching schedule at some stage in the year.
How to get there
From Colombo
Go on McCallum Road and enter the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway from Colombo. Take the exit toward the outer circular expressway and turn right onto Colombo-Kandy road to continue for 41.1 km.
Then turn left onto Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Trincomalee road. Turn left onto Madahapola Road and turn right at Aludeniya Bus Stop onto Andagala – Polgahangoda Road.
Then you have to turn left onto Na Uyana Aranya Road to reach your destination.
From Kurunegala
Head northeast on Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Trincomalee road. Turn left onto Madahapola Road and turn right onto Andagala – Polgahangoda Road. Turn left onto Na Uyana Aranya Road to reach your destination.
