Spiritual Tourism
Meditation is a means of channeling one’s inner-self. Buddhist mediation practices are systems that energize and create focus, clearness, enthusiastic energy, and quiet observation of the genuine idea of things. By engaging with a particular meditation practice people learn the patterns and habits of their mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of being.
Spiritual tourism is an important component of a Sri Lankan tourism industry as Sri Lanka is a land of spirituality end owned by many places of worship, pilgrim centers, and religious monuments, etc. Buddhist meditation systems and techniques are more vital parts of spiritual tourism with the help of well-skilled and knowledge of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka.
There are about 18 meditation centers identified by Sri Lanka Tourism, situated outside Colombo, which can provide an opportunity for travelers who are on an expedition to see the reality of life.
Situated at 49/2 2nd cross street, Pagoda road in Nugegoda, the Pagoda Meditation Center was started by well-known Ven. Olanda Ananda, a senior Dutch monk. He speaks Sinhala fluently and has been teaching meditation for a long time both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
The place has had many Western long-term monastic- and lay-residents and was also often visited by Western monks staying some days in Colombo for extending visas, etc. Good support, tidy, clean, quiet. In Colombo’s diplomatic quarter. Suitable place for lay people who like to meditate. Fairly quiet for Colombo standards. Women stay in a separate wing.
Sanatha Suwaya is a meditation and holistic wellness center in Sri Lanka’s Central Province providing a forum for instruction and practice in mindfulness traditions and holistic therapies. Sanatha Suwaya is intended to be a place for discussion, learning, mental and physical exertion, exploration, growth, dissemination, communion, and exposure.
Sanatha Suwaya is a non-religious organization and does not promote any philosophy over another. As a “wellness” center, they work to provide a space of peace, where a variety of wholesome experiences and services can be offered.
Long and short-term guests can join guided meditation sessions, extended retreat programs, and will be provided options to participate in “like practices” on an everyday basis. “Like practices” are systems intended for the development of human health including both mental and physical modalities. Systems such as Yoga, Reiki, Ayurveda, and acupuncture are but a few examples.
Dekanduwala Meditation Centre is located in Kananwila, Kahatapitiya, Horana. Sprawling across 20 acres, the meditation center was established in 1993 by Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thero in filling the void of a meditation center that could cater to both monks and laypeople- local and foreign alike.
The Centre has been conducting several Dhamma training programs since 1994. In-house meditation programs and educational programs including dhamma and counseling sessions for both foreign and local women were introduced in 2002.
The Dhamma Training and Meditation Centre is to be expanded to a fully-fledged bhikkhuni training center and an international Buddhist educational faculty through which extensive English knowledge, communication skills, and Buddhist research studies are to be imparted to both local and foreign bhikkhunis and Dasa Sil Mathas who aspire to be ordained. A library to facilitate their endeavors and a hostel for overseas bhikkhunis are also planned.
The Rockhill Hermitage is a Meditation Center located deep in the central mountainous close to the city of Kandy, with easy access from Colombo. The surrounding nature is unaffected by its presence and offers impressive views as well as the opportunity to get to know the lush tropical fauna and flora of the country.
It is a non-profit institution funded by the Sri Lankan government and dedicated to charitable purposes. Located on a hillside, the center consists of a monastery, an area for men, an area for the nuns, and a women’s area.
