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Der Abhayagiri-Tempel ist eine Einrichtung in Anuradhapura im heutigen Sri Lanka (Ceylon) und wurde von König Vattagamani Abhaya, nach der Überlieferung als Dank für die Unterstützung in einer schweren innenpolitischen Krise durch den Mönch Mahatissa, im frühen 1. Jahrhundert v. Chr. gegründet. Mahatissa war ein Vertreter des Mahayana-Buddhismus, bei diesem Kult hatte die religiöse Verehrung von Statuen und ein ausufernder Reliquienkult beträchtlich an Bedeutung gewonnen. Daher war Mahatissa von dem Mönchsorden des Maha Vihatissa - zu dem er ursprünglich gehörte - verstoßen worden. Der Tempel genoss königlichen Schutz und wurde somit zum Anziehungspunkt für Anhänger des Mahatissa. Ein indischer Mönch mit Namen Dhammarucci wurde zum Abt des neuen Klosters bestimmt, das schon in den ersten Jahren rasch über 500 Mönche zählte und in seiner Blütezeit, im 3. Jahrhundert nach Christi Geburt mit bis zu 5000 Mönchen bevölkert war, die sich bevorzugt mit wissenschaftlichen Studien, Kunst und Philosophie beschäftigten. Das Kloster bestand bis in die letzten Tage des Ortes Anuradhapura. Schon unter König Gajabahu (114–136) errichtete man die Stupa des Tempels, die die enorme Höhe von 84 Metern erreicht. Im 5. Jahrhundert besuchte der chinesische Mönch Faxian die Anlage und beschrieb eine stehende Buddha-Statue aus Jade mit sechs Metern Höhe.Literatur Charles Higham: Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations. New York: Facts on Files 2004. ISBN 0-8160-4640-9.

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C., who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba.This is one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 338 feet (103 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m).The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa.MaterialsThe ancient texts recount the following:From the bank of the river Gambhīra, situated a yojana to the north of Anuradhapura bricks were acquired;From the village Avuruvini, situated three yojanas to the north-east, nuggets of gold were acquired;From the village Tambapittha, situated seven yojanas to the east, copper were acquired;From the village Samanveve, situated four yojanas to the south-east, gems were acquired;From the rock-cave Ridi, situated eight yojanas to the south, silver were acquired;From the small town Uruvel, situated five yojanas to the west, pearls and corals to the size of myrobalan fruits were acquired;From the village Pelavapi, situated seven yojanas to the north-east, four large gems were acquired.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a Sacred Fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the southern branch from the historical Bodhi tree Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world.The other fig trees that surround the sacred tree protect it from storms and animals such as monkeys, bats, etc.HistoryIn the 3rd century BC, it was brought to Sri Lanka by Sangamitta (Pali; Skt.: Sanghamitra) Thera, the daughter of Emperor Asoka and founder of an order of Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. In 288 BC it was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa on a high terrace about above the ground in the Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura and surrounded by railings.

Ritigala is an ancient Buddhist monastery and mountain in Sri Lanka. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to 1st century BCE. It is located 43 km away from the ancient monastic city of Anuradhapura.At 766 m above sea level, and 600 m above the surrounding plains, Ritigala is the highest mountain in northern Sri Lanka. The modern name Ritigala is derived from the ancient name Ariṭṭha Pabbata (Dreadful Mountain), mentioned in the Mahavamsa.Ritigala mountain range consists of four peaks of which the main and the highest peak at the south of the range is named Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a 3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature Reserve, in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, is managed by the Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka. The climate at the summit is in sharp contrast to the climate at the foot; it is cooler in comparison to hot and dry climate of the region. Its rainfall records the highest in the whole of dry zone surrounding it by a good margin during the northeast monsoon of dry zone of the tropical island of Sri Lanka. The mist and cloud cover which encapsulate the summit during the south-west monsoon of Wet Zone of the island, results in high vapor condensation, in turn, turning the earth moist when the plains all around are in drought. Legends abound on Ritigala. One of mysterious aspect is the belief of powerful medicinal herbs found near the crest. A herb called “Sansevi” is believed to have the power of conferring long life and curing all human pain. According to legend, all vegetation on Ritigala is protected by Yakkas, the guardian spirits of the mountain. The venerable Prof. Walpola Sri Rahula Maha Thera (1907–1997), a Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University, a Buddhist monk scholar, in his “History of Buddhism in Ceylon, says "the term “Yaksa” denotes superhuman beings worthy of respect. It is possible that it was applied, by an extension of meaning, also to some pre-Buddhistic tribe of human beings, aboriginal to Ceylon". The legend has it that Prince Pandukhabaya (3rd century BC) was assisted by Yakkas during his battles against his eight uncles at the foot of Ritigala. Another legend refers to a duel of two giants, most possibly Yakkas, named Soma and Jayasena. Soma being killed in the duel, Jayasena became a legend.