Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya is a monastery in the strict forest tradition in Sri Lanka, established in 1967 by Asoka Weeraratna (the founder of the German Dharmaduta Society and the Berlin Buddhist Vihara in Germany), who later ordained at the monastery as Most Venerable Mitirigala Dhammanissanti Maha Thero.

At its inception, it was guided by the distinguished meditation master, Most Venerable Mātara Sri Ñānārāma Mahā Thero, both the first Chief Kammatthānacāriya (meditation teacher) and the Chief Preceptor of Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya

During his time, Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya became one of the most respected meditation monasteries of Sri Lanka due to the fame of its meditation master as well as its secluded and contemplative life, where monks practiced sincerely with the aspiration of attaining Nibbāna in this life itself.

On his passing away in 1992, a senior student, Most Venerable Pānaduwe Khemānanda Mahā Thero became the new Abbott and Chief Preceptor, serving the monastery for fifteen years. Subsequently, Most Venerable Mitirigala Dhammavasa Maha Thero became the Abbott of the monastery until his passing away in January 2015.

Most Venerable Uda Eriyagama Dhammajīva Mahā Thero is the present day Abbott and Chief Preceptor of the monastery. Both a scholar and exponent of the dhamma, Venerable Dhammajiva is steeped in his knowledge and practice of both the Samatha and Vipassanā meditation methods and is the author of over forty publications. Located in a dense forest reserve, the monastery has now served the Buddhist tradition for over forty five years and continues to be a home for forest mendicant monks, emulating the dhutanga practice as instructed by the Buddha.
pindapatha

The motto of Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya in short is nibbāna – it is guided by a single object, namely the attainment of magga phala (sainthood) in this life itself.

Rules and conduct
All yogis are required to be dressed in white. Shorts, tank tops and sleeveless tops are not permitted at the hermitage. A shoulder cloth (uthuru saluwa) is a recommended item.
Smoking is not permitted.
While on the Eight Precepts, food may not be eaten between noon and the following dawn. A few substances with limited nutritional value (sugar, some fruit juices, honey, etc.) are permitted, but not milk.
Please speak quietly while in the monastery, to preserve a quiet environment for meditation. Be particularly mindful when in the vicinity of the bhavana sala, and while walking along monastery paths near kutis.
If you are the last to leave the bhavana sala at night, please turn off the lights and close the gates. If you are the last to leave the outdoor walking meditation paths, please turn out those lights (it’s the leftmost of the switches outside the entrance to the dormitory).
Cell phones are not permitted. If you bring a cell phone, please check it in at the front office. If it is necessary for you to make or receive a phone call, please seek permission from the teacher, or in his absence from an authorized monk.
The use of cameras and video recording at the monastery is strictly prohibited. Taking photographs using mobile phones or other equipment of the monastery, the monks or the yogis is not permitted. If you have brought a camera or a video recorder, please hand it over to the front office at the commencement of your stay.
Yogis should not meet with outside visitors unless there is a strong necessity. Please seek permission from the teacher prior to meeting with visitors. On arrival, visitors must inform the office at the entrance of the monastery.
Please do not dump garbage with plastic items in the forest within the monastery grounds. Use the recycling bins in the dana sala.
Please take care not to leave any containers or plastic materials that may collect water outside so as to avoid breeding mosquitoes that can spread disease.
Repairs should only be made with the permission of the authorized monk.
The Nissarana Vanaya forest is a forest reserve and the monastery supports an esteemed lineage of mendicant monks and meditation masters. During your stay, your behavior, attire and effort must reflect and show respect towards the forest tradition adopted by the monastery.
Hazards from other living beings
Poisonous snakes may be encountered at Meetirigala, though the bite is usually not life-threatening. Be watchful when walking outside, especially at night.
Leeches are plentiful, especially after rainfall. Their bites can cause some bleeding but is not harmful. Check your feet and legs after walking outside in damp weather.
Ticks may appear like small black moles on the skin. They can be removed by applying salt moistened with a little water.
Monkeys can be aggressive in seeking food. Be mindful of your actions in their presence; don’t aggravate them or play with them. Keep all doors and windows closed, especially where food items are kept. Don’t leave any items outside that may attract the attention of monkeys.
Human thieves have been known to strike at Meetirigala. Keep any valuables behind a locked door if possible, or leave them at the front office or at home.
Basic guidelines for intensive meditation practice
1. Yogis should do 10-14 hours of formal sitting and walking meditation per day.
2. Yogis should stay alone and observe noble silence. Socialising is not encouraged.
3. Yogis must keep reading and writing to an absolute minimum.
4. Yogis must carefully observe the eight precepts.
5. Yogis must strictly adhere to the meditation teacher's instructions and should not practice according to other meditation methods.
6. Yogis should not discuss meditation or give meditation advice to other yogis.
7. Yogis must not get involved in any activities that are not related to intensive meditation (for example, listening to the radio, massage, photography, cooking food, learning languages, or work activities beyond the minimum necessary).
8. Yogis must restrain their senses. They should act like a blind, deaf, dumb, sick or dead person.
9. Yogis must perform all activities in slow motion.
10. Sleep should be limited to between four and five-and-a-half hours a day.
11. Yogis should practice with: respect and sincerity; diligence; honesty and straight forwardness; heroic effort; perseverance; patience; sustained, continuous, moment-to-moment mindfulness from the time of awakening to the time of falling asleep at night.
12. There is no space for thinking, reflection, speculation, analysing or interpretation during intensive practice.
13. Generally, meditation is for people with a normal and stable mind. If, however, a person is mentally not in shape to undertake intensive meditation practice, especially to conform to the strict discipline, that person may not be admitted as a yogi.

Nissarana Vanaya

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