6° 41′ 13″ N 81° 4′ 42″ E

බුදුරුවගල

Buduruwagala

Buddhist Heritage Sites

Uva

Province

Moneragala

District

Wellawaya

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Buduruwagala

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Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.

The largest of the standing Buddha statues is 51 feet (16 m) from head to toe; is the largest standing Buddha statue of the island.

Authorities generally date them to the 9th or 10th century.[Buduruvagala does not have much historical records. Even its original name is unknown. It is thought to be a hermitage for monks. The sculptures of Buduruvagala also include many sculptures of Bodhisattva images including Mahayana tradition.