German Dharmaduta Society and Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya Sanrakshana Mandalaya

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya (Mitirigala Forest Hermitage) will be commemorated at a public meeting to be held at the Nissarana Vanaya Aranya commencing at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday December 3, 2017 (Unduvap Poya Day).

A Postage stamp together with a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya (1967 – 2017) will be issued by the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts on this occasion.

Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya is one-of-Sri Lanka’s most respected and largest Buddhist Forest Hermitages nearly 500 acres in extent and situated in a tropical forest reserve located close to the village of Mitirigala, off Dompe in the Western province.

It was founded in 1967 by Asoka Weeraratna, who also founded the German Dharmaduta Society in 1952 and the Berlin Buddhist Vihara in 1957. He subsequently entered the order of the Sangha in 1972 under the name Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanissanti Thera.

Most Venerable Mātara Sri Ñānārāma Mahā Thero, was the first Chief Kammatthānacāriya (meditation teacher) and the Chief Preceptor. The fame and labours of several past meditation masters and the present Chief Preceptor Ven. Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thera, as well as its secluded and contemplative natural environment where monks practice sincerely with dedication aspiring to attain Nibbāna in this life itself, have contributed substantially to its worldwide reputation and high standing.

Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya offers a variety of opportunities for yogis (lay persons) as well as monks to deepen understanding of the dhamma and to cultivate and develop one’s meditation practice in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.

A new Retreat Centre where the foundation stone was laid on the occasion of the 40th anniversary i.e. 2007, and located at the foothills of the monastery and run separately with its own accommodation facilities for 100 trainees at any given time, and meditation hall is now part of the expanding Mitirigala Forest Hermitage complex.

Meditation retreats are organized at the Retreat Centre throughout the year and are open to both male and female yogis.

There are two Retreats conducted solely in English twice a year for visiting foreign monks and lay people.

Affiliated to the new Retreat Centre is a new Sanghavasa (residence) for 10 visiting monks which will also be declared open on this occasion.

German Dharmaduta Society and Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya Sanrakshana Mandalaya