Maliyadeva was a monk who is said to have lived in Sri Lanka during the 2nd century BCE and to have attained nirvana. [1]
According to the Mahavamsa, part of Theravādin tradition, Maliyadeva was the last well-known arhat who had high psychic powers ( Abigngnalabhi: in Sinhala:අභිඥ්ඥාලාභී අරහතුන් වහන්සේ ) in Sri Lanka [2] and Buddhism in Sri Lanka declined after this period. A legend says he brought four Buddha statues from India to Sri Lanka. [3]
His meditation chamber may be seen at Arankale [4] [5] and his dwelling place at Guharamaya. [6] According to folklore, Arahant Maliyadeva is said to have lived in Ravanagoda, Kotmale.
Maliyadeva was a monk who is said to have lived in Sri Lanka during the 2nd century BCE and to have attained nirvana. [1]
According to the Mahavamsa, part of Theravādin tradition, Maliyadeva was the last well-known arhat who had high psychic powers ( Abigngnalabhi: in Sinhala:අභිඥ්ඥාලාභී අරහතුන් වහන්සේ ) in Sri Lanka [2] and Buddhism in Sri Lanka declined after this period. A legend says he brought four Buddha statues from India to Sri Lanka. [3]
His meditation chamber may be seen at Arankale [4] [5] and his dwelling place at Guharamaya. [6] According to folklore, Arahant Maliyadeva is said to have lived in Ravanagoda, Kotmale.