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| Year and Month | December, 2009 |
| Number of Days | Two day trip |
| Crew | 3 |
| Accommodation | There is dharma shalawa & a hall for accommodation |
| Transport | Train and Bus |
| Activities | meditation, deepest dharma discussions, alms giving, Wildlife, Photography |
| Weather | Sunny(heavy rains only from November to January) |
| Route | Galle -> Colombo -> Dambulla -> Kekirawa -> Muriyakadawala and return on the same route |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | chamarawanni |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
On the 24th of December three of us got up early morning & went to Galle railway station at 0645 am to catch “Ruhunu Kumari. At about 0900am we reached to Colombo & got a bus to Galenbindunaweva from Colombo central bus stand. After completing a six hours travel we reached to Muriyakadawala at about 0300pm.Then asked the route to the Labunoruwa monastery from a villager. He was more polite & showed us the path. We had to travel about 03km to reach the entrance of the forest. It was a dey zone forest (Ritigala Strict Forest Reserve).This is the birth place of “Mahasona”(Ritigala Jayasena). Now there is no “Mahasona” but only Buddhist monks who are seeking the liberation.
The Chief priest: Ven.Mankadawala Sudassan Thero was at the top of the mountain. The “Upasaka mahatha” is the manager of the place. He gave us some foods & told us to be at the small Dharma Shalawa until the chief priest came down.
At about 0730 pm Ven.Sudassana thero came down. He is a specialist in the “Noble middle path”. We discussed about “Suseema Sutra” for more than 03hrs.We got a clear idea about: Ideal condition (Parama Sathya) & Fabricated condition (Sammuthi Sathya) of the universe.
During the second whole day we did “Ana-pana sathi”meditation.It helps us to concentrate the mind to the respiration only.Normaly,our eyes,ears,nose,tounge,skin & mind run here & there but if we can stop them & concentrate the mind on the natural event of respiration we can understand how our senses are disturbing us at normal condition.
 Distances displaying board at Kekirawa town. We went to the direction of Ganewalpola.Kekirawa is the nearest town to the monastery. |
 “Labunoruwa Kanda” over Labunoruwa reservoir. This reservoir fills with water only in rainy season. During other period it is totally dried. |
 The forest department has authorized this monastery recently. See the statement there: it really means the teachings of Buddha sweet & short.” This life is a temporary event: we have to move to another place soon if we like or not” |
 A closer view of the mountain. Can you imagine how 20 monks are meditating under these trees? They have given up all the bonds in their normal lives.” No bonds: no worries! |
“The people who are really interested in nature are very closer to Liberation”
 Small walk path runs to the top of the mountain (meditating area).This area is restricted & permission should be taken for entering. |
 Natural seats for meditation &”Sakman maluwa”. |
 I was also meditating on a rock at the top of the mountain. |
 A meditating “kuti” |
A view from the top of the mountain