In SriLnaka there were 1200 caves in all parts of the island. The following can be listed as the most prominent cave monasteries in Srilanka. (1) Mihintale, (2) Rajagirilena(near Mihintale), (3) Hatthikucchi, (4) Vessagiri, (5) Isurumuniya, (6) Ritigala, (7) Cittalapbbata, (8) Sigiriya, (9) Dambulla, (10) Hindagala and (11) Kurundakalena.
1.Mihintale
Mahida Thera first lived in a cave monastery at Mihintale. Later king Devanampiyatissa offered the Tissarāma Vihāra to Mahinda Thera. But he preferred to live at Mihintale. King Devanampiyatissa offered 68 caves to the Sangha. A drip-ledge was carved on the top of the cave to ward off water.
2. Rajagirilena
It is also at Mihintale near Kaludiyapokuna. It is called the king's cave. Since the king of Srilanka had come to this cave on the full moon day to meditate under the Kalutimbiri tree. It is said that king Saddatissa listened to the dhamma preaching of Kalkarama Sutta by Kālabuddharakkhita thera under the Kalutimbiri tree whole night.
3. Hatthikucchi
This is the centre of meditation for the forest monks. A royal prince who was enticed by the natural beauty and the silence of this cave is supposed to have got ordained at this place. Later king Aggbodhi built Pāsāda. After that, the natural cave lost its original form.
4. Vessagiri
This is the name given forest bound cluster of rocks in Anurādhapura. There are about 25 rock caves. They serve as shelter for the forest monks. There were inscriptions below the drip-ledge on the grouts of the cave. Vessagiri is a huge rock boulder divided into three categories as A, B, C. These caves were later developed. There are traces of frescoes and paintings. During the period of king Walagamba, grants were given to those cave monasteries.read more
5. Isurumuniya
This is a cave monastery which was constructed to Vessagiriya. Later it also got developed due to the interest of various kings.
6. Ritigala
Ritigala Mountain is in the Southern part of North Central Province. It is a natural cave. The name Ritigala is derived from the word Arittha Pabbata which means safety rock. According to some scholars, it is called Ritigala as there were Riti trees in that environment. Riti means a pole. Therefore Rtigala is a name derived from the word “long pole”.
7. Cittala Pabbata (Situlpavva)
This is a famous cave in Rohana -Down South. It is located 18 miles south of Tissamaharāma and 11 miles south of Kataragama,amidst Yala having all 300 caves. Some caves are 30 ft long and 12 ft wide. They have occupied about 50 monks. At Cittāla Pabbata there are even larger caves which could accommodate 70 monks. In these caves, walls are constructed, windows are fixed and steps are made of clay. There is a beautiful cave called the umbrella cave. It is an indication of natural cave. This cave can accommodate about 100 monks. Forest monks had gathered in this cave for discussion. All around this cave, there had been a drip-ledge. In this cave there are stone holes in the ground. According to archaeologists, these holes may have been used by the monks to practise Tejokasina meditation. Yet Cittāla Pabbata became a very famous centre. Kings were interested in this cave monastery. Architectural development arose. According to historical facts, there had been a beautiful three dimensional guard stone. It is also recorded that a certain nun who was gazing at this guard stone could not control lust. As a result, she passed away.
8. Sigiriya
Sigiriya at the very beginning had been a place where monks lived in caves. On this cave there are inscriptions. King Kassapa who was hiding at Sigiriya made a majestic palace. Thereafter, the attention of Sigiriya was devoted to a beautiful palace. After some time, his brother Moggallana came and took over Sigiriya. Again he made monk residences around Sigiri Palace. Even today the excavation done had revealed that there were evidences of monks' residences. They are named as Cobra Caves (Naipenaguhā), Prison Caves and Āsana Cave. Even today we observe that in these caves there are moulded seats which are an indication that monks had meditated there. On the tip there are Sigiri Frescoes depicting women holding flowers.
9. Dambulla
The word Dambulla is derived as Damba + ul. Damba means Pabbata. Ul means water. It is naturally a beautiful cave extending from one corner to the next having many Viharas. The Vihāras of this cave monastery are as follows: (1) Devagiri Vihāra, (2) Mahāraja Vihāra, (3) Mahā Aluth Vihāra, (4) Pacinna Vihāra and (5) Devana Aluth Vihāra.
All these caves are naturally derived one from the other. King Walagamba wanted to construct monasteries away from the town and as a result, Dambulla cave monastery arose. The excavation of the Cultural Triangle shows that there had been a Stupa, Bodhighara and an Uposataghara. This ia an indication of monks' dwelling. After the 1 st century A.D.,Dambulla ceased to be a residence of monks. Completely it got converted to an Image House. Today there are beautiful paintings on the walls and also on the roof. There are also countless Buddha statues. Even today there is a non-stop drop of water falling from the roof of the cave.
10. Hindagala
This stone cave is situated along Kandy – Peradeniya Road very close to Peradeniya University. At the beginning, it was a cave monastery where monks slept. Even the Tooth Relic had been kept there for some time. But today due to development,it had become an Image House with many Buddha statues and paintings.
11. Kurundakalena
This cave is near Mahāgama(Māgama). This was the residence of Cittagupta Thera. There had been beautiful paintings on the ceiling of this cave. Some monks who visited this cave had appreciated the paintings showing the renunciation of seven passed Buddhas. Cittagupta Thera who was staying in this cave for 60 years had not seen these paintings. He had been a monk was engaged in deep meditation. Therefore he did not even look up at these paintings. In the front of the cave, there had been an ironwood tree. The thera knew that the tree had blossomed by the pollen fallen on the ground. This indicates that Srilankan monks had always selected these solitary caves for meditation. In Srilanka thhere had been various other caves at Dimbulagala, Pulligoda etc. All these cave monasteries later became Image Houses with the interest of laymen.
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