Buddha's path to meditation
Visitors can learn or practice meditation and study Buddhism at several places in the Kandy area. Ask at the Buddhist Publication Society (Tel/Fax: 237283) by the lake for details abut courses. It is open from 8.30 am to 4 pm on weekdays,and to noon on Saturday. Many centres offer free courses, but they’d obviously appreciate a donation. Give what you’d normally be paying per day for food and accommodation in Sri Lanka.

Nillambe Meditation Centre (Tel: 225471), near Nillambe Bungalow junction, can be reached by bus (catch a Delthota bus via Galaha and get off at Office Junction; the trip takes about an hour). It’s a pretty spot, with great views, and is popular with foreigners. There’s a daily set schedule of meditation classes – visitors not intending to learn meditation are not encouraged. You can stay for Rs. 300 a day (including food), and although blankets are supplied you may wish to bring a sleeping bag. There’s no electricity, so bring a touch (flashlight). There’s a large library of books and a tape library here. To reach Nillambe from the Office Junction you have a steep 3km walk for a three-wheeler may be at the junction to take you for Rs. 150 through tea plantations. A taxi to/from Kandy costs Rs. 650.

Nillambe runs another centre on the outskirts of Kandy, the Lewella Meditation Centre (Tel: 225471) Mawatha, Lewella. There is no set program so it’s more of a retreat for experienced meditates (male only).

At Ampitiya, near Kandy, the Sri Jemieson International Meditation Centre (Tel: 225057) on Samadhi Mawatha only runs (free) set meditation programs – if you turn up when a program isn’t on you’ll have to practice meditation unsupervised; ring first to find out the situation. At the time of writing five rooms were being built; until they’re finished you can’t stay on the premises – women are not allowed to stay overnight at all. To get there, catch a Talatu Oya bus from the clock tower bus stop (Rs. 5). Look for the sign on the right hand side of the road about 3km along the Ampitiya – Talatu Oya road. There’s a 1.2km walk up a winding track to the centre.

The Dhamma Kuta Vipassana Meditation Centre (Tel: 070-800057, E-mail: dhamma@sltnet.lk) at Mowbray, Hindagala, is in the hills and has superb view. It offers free 10 courses following the SN Goenka system; you must book into one of the courses, you can’t just turn up. There’s dorm accommodation with separate make and female quarters. Take a Mahakanda-boundbus from the clock tower bus stop in Kandy and get off at the last stop. There’s a small sign at the bottom of the track to the centre. It’s a steep 4km walk, or you can catch a three-wheeler for Rs.150. A taxi to/from Kandy should cost Rs. 500.

At the time of writing, the new Paramita International Buddhist Society in Kandy was due to open soon. Ask at the Buddhist Publication Society for details.

Study Yoga and Meditation at the pioneer Yoga institution in Sri Lank – The Yoga School of Ceylon (Founded in 1969 by His Eminence The Mahaguru). Courses include, Inter Alia, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Tantra & Viveka, and Togic & Buddhist Meditation. Board and lodging available.

Please Contact:
Secretary
YOGA SCHOOL OF CEYLON
Mahaguruashram
38, D. S. Senanayake Mawatha
Udugampola, Gampaha.
Tel: 033 22878, 071 733799
Fax: 033 22878