Sri Vijayarama Purana Viharaya

Sri Vijayarama Purana Viharaya, situated atop a hillock in Kaluwadumulla, Ambalangoda, houses the world’s largest wooden Buddha statue collection. Thanks to the indefatigable work of its prelate, Venerable Vilegoda Ariyadewa, who has been leading the pioneering work for 16 long years single-handedly, the proud legacy of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist temple tradition is being preserved in a unique manner for the benefit of future generations. Murals, portraying the various incidents related to the Buddha and his lay-self, Bodhisatva, are carved out of wood, displaying the exceptional workmanship of local craftsmen who hail from a locality renown for exquisite wood carving and aesthetic creations.

The Buddha is depicted in various mudras (hand gestures) and asanas (seating postures), in order to convey how the Enlightened One strived during His compassionate ministry spanning 45 years to give guidance to the people of all walks of life to achieve the supreme bliss by putting an end to their samsaric suffering. Every space in the image house, ranging from door frames to windows, is also adorned with traditional wooden designs, thus giving the opportunity to the wood carver to put on display his ingenuity as well as skills, which are handed down from generation to generation, while rendering a hand to fulfil a meritorious deed. 

Plans have also been made to erect the world’s largest wooden Buddha statue in a three-storeyed image house, which is still under construction. Once completed, the sprawling edifice will turn out to be a magnificent sight ornamented with multiple rows of Vimana Panjara (divine abodes) and bahirawas (dwarfs protecting the dwelling within), all carved out of fine-grained wood, which will no doubt instil awe in the beholder and inspire many to find solace in the dhamma espoused by the Buddha.