Sri Lanka · Tradition
Buddhism sacred sites in Sri Lanka
Explore 23 sacred sites in Sri Lanka connected to Buddhism. Compare locations on the map and find respectful cultural and visiting guidance.
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Showing 1-23 of 23 matching sites
Abhayagiri Vihara
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Founded around 89 BCE by a king fulfilling a vow of vengeance and restoration, Abhayagiri grew into one of the ancient world's most cosmopolitan Buddhist institutions — a...
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)
Dalhousie, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
Sri Pada is the sacred mountain in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa highlands whose summit footprint is venerated through several religious traditions....
Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Vihara
Sambilturai, Sambilturai, Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Vihara is a documented temple in Sambilturai, Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Deeghavapi Raja Maha Vihara
Deeghavapi, Deeghavapi, Ampara District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Deeghavapi Raja Maha Vihara is a documented temple in Deeghavapi, Ampara District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Gadaladeniya Vihara
Pilimathalawa, Pilimathalawa, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Gadaladeniya Vihara is a documented temple in Pilimathalawa, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
A cutting from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE....
Jetavanaramaya
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Jetavanaramaya is a documented stupa in Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Kande Vihara
Kaluwamodara–Aluthgama, Kaluwamodara–Aluthgama, Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Kande Vihara is a documented temple in Kaluwamodara–Aluthgama, Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Kelaniya, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
On the banks of the Kelani River, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara marks what tradition holds as the Buddha's third and final visit to Sri Lanka, when he settled a dispute...
Kiri Vehera
Kataragama, Monaragala, Sri Lanka
Kiri Vehera is a modest, actively worshipped Buddhist stupa roughly 800 meters from the well-known multi-faith Kataragama shrine complex — a separate site entirely, with...
Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
Mahiyangana, Badulla, Sri Lanka
Nine months after his enlightenment, the Buddha is said to have crossed to Sri Lanka and pacified its yaksha inhabitants at Mahiyangana, leaving behind a hair relic...
Matale Aluvihara Raja Maha Viharaya
Thotagamuwa, Matale, Sri Lanka
Aluvihare is a cave-temple setting in Matale associated with the preservation of the Pali Tipitaka....
Mihintale Sacred Complex
Mihintale, Mihintale, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Mihintale Sacred Complex is a documented buddhist archaeological complex in Mihintale, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Mirisavetiya Stupa
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Mirisavetiya Stupa is a documented stupa in Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
Badulla, Badulla, Badulla District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is a documented temple in Badulla, Badulla District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Nagadeepa Purana Vihara
Nainativu, Nainativu, Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Nagadeepa Purana Vihara is a documented temple in Nainativu, Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Dambulla, Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a documented temple in Dambulla, Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Ridi Vihara
Ridigama, Ridigama, Kurunegala District, North Western Province, Sri Lanka
Ridi Vihara is a documented temple in Ridigama, Kurunegala District, North Western Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Ruwanwelisaya
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Rising from the plains of Anuradhapura, Ruwanwelisaya was raised by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE to hold what tradition describes as one of the largest...
Seruvila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara
Seruvila, Seruvila, Trincomalee District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Seruvila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara is a documented temple in Seruvila, Trincomalee District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Sri Dalada Maligawa, Temple of the Tooth
Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Beside Kandy's lake stands the palace-temple that has held the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha since the seat of Sinhala kingship settled in these hills....
Thuparamaya
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Thuparamaya is a documented stupa in Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
Tissamaharama, Tissamaharama, Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is a documented temple in Tissamaharama, Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, connected with Buddhism....
Key questions
Buddhism sacred sites in Sri Lanka questions
What is included in this Buddhism guide to Sri Lanka?
This guide includes 23 sacred places within the Buddhism tradition in Sri Lanka.
Can I view these Sri Lanka sacred places on a map?
Yes. Switch to map view to compare their geography, then open a site page for history, visiting context, and nearby places.
Can I widen this Buddhism guide?
Yes. Use the location links to widen from region to country or from country to the global facet hub without losing the selected facet.