Anagarika Nuns Monastery

With the propagation of Dhamma by the Mahamevnawa Meditation center, women once again received the opportunity to become ordained as nuns in the Gautama Supreme Buddha’s dispensation. Under the guidance of Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda, the Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery was established for those women wishing to devote their lives to practicing the Dhamma. The first and main nuns’ monastery was built at Mutugala, in Dambadeniya area on September 10th of 2003 for five resident Anagarika nuns consisting of a small Buddha hall, small alms hall, and two lodgings.

Since the Binara full moon day when the Bhikkhuni Sangha was established in the world, the Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery has provided the warmth of the dispensation for over 91 upasikas (female disciples) to develop the Dhamma path.

Things to see at the Mutugala Nuns’ monastery

This monastery consists of a beautiful shrine hall depicting Arahant Bhikkhus and Arahant Bhikkhunis, the four guardian devas, goddesses, and other guardian gods gathered together in the sky to venerate the sparkling golden statue of the Gautama Supreme Buddha.

It also has a stunning statue gallery displaying the statue and the casket containing the noble relics of the Great Arahant Bhikkhuni Mahaprajapathi Gotami, the great pioneer of the Bhikkhuni Sangha and a statue of Arahant Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, the initiator of the Bhikkhuni Sangha in Sri Lanka.

Containing the Hair Relics of the Gautama Supreme Buddha, a beautiful Stupa can also be seen in the monastery.

A large Dhamma hall provides thousands of devotees the facilities to listen to the Dhamma comfortably. Like the olden days, there people have the chance to observe the eight precepts and participate in Dhamma programs not only on the Full moon day but also four times a month on each of the four moon phases.

A beautiful ancient Bodhi tree planted quite a long time ago has its branches spread all around providing a cooling shelter to the monastery.

The monastery also has a large alms hall and kitchen providing all facilities for lay people who live far away to prepare alms at the monastery.

Overnight Visits to the Nuns Monastery

Mahamevnawa provides the opportunity for female visitors who are committed to learning and practicing these teachings to stay at our Nuns monastery for several days. An overnight visit to the Nuns monastery will give you a taste of the pure livelihood the Buddha made available to his disciples. You do not have to be a Buddhist to stay here, but you must be committed to learning and practicing these teachings for the duration of your stay.

Overnight visits are free of charge. All overnight visits must be arranged in advance, prior to arrival at the monastery. After your application has been accepted, you will be guided to our branch monastery that is most appropriate for your visit.

If you show up wishing to stay overnight without making prior arrangements, you will not be allowed to stay at that time and be asked to leave to make proper arrangements.

Visitors can stay anywhere from 3 to 7 days on their first visit, depending on circumstances and availability.

Overnight visitors are expected to observe the Eight Precepts to the best of their ability. This includes not eating most solid foods after noon and abstaining from all sexual activity. Smoking cigarettes, consumption of alcohol and use of any other intoxicants and mind-altering substances is strictly prohibited.

The meditation we teach at Mahamevnawa is from the Sutta Pitaka as taught by the Buddha. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn these meditations directly from a resident nun. Time is scheduled throughout the day to put instructions into practice.

Overnight visitors should be in good physical condition and health.

All overnight visitors must have some form of medical insurance that will cover them for the time they are at the monastery. Cheap traveler’s medical insurance in available online from many companies.

While staying at Mahamevnawa, visitors will eat the same food that is served to the nuns. Supporters provide healthy home-cooked food, plenty of rice and vegetables, but offerings are not strictly vegetarian.

Visitors are required to wear clothing that is decent and appropriate for a monastic environment.

Depending on circumstances and availability, visitors may be sharing a room with others. Accommodations are very basic as is suitable for a monastery.

All overnight visitors must hold a valid visa and passport to be shown at arrival. The monastery is not able to arrange visas.

Following the simple guidelines of the monastery and living in harmony with others is essential. Visitors who are not able to do so may be asked to leave.

Ladies, please fill out the form below if you would like to begin to arrange an overnight visit to one of our forest monasteries in Sri Lanka. If you would like to visit one of our international branches, please contact them directly through our branch page.

Ladies are also welcome to visit the monks monasteries but shall not be allowed to stay overnight.