Padhanaghara in Sri Lanka Padhanaghara , also known as Pathanagala or Piyangal (Sinhala: පධානඝර), is a type of Buddhist monastery structure constructed in ancient Sri Lanka for meditating monks. History The word Padhanaghara is constructed by combining two Pali words Padhana (means to strive for spiritual gain, which is meditation) and Ghara [(means house or hall) Amarasekara, 2017]. This implies that the Padhanaghara is a hall specially made for meditation (Amarasekara, 2017). The word Pathanagala which is a synonym derived from the word Padhanaghara is found in a few inscriptions in the country (Amarasekara, 2017). The Perimiyankulama rock inscription of King Vasabha (67-111 A.D.) refers to a grant of revenues to a Pathanagala monastery named Sudasana (Amarasekara, 2017; Paranavitana, 1983). The Pali chronicle Mahavamsa makes a reference to a structure called Padhanabumi built by King Meghavanna-abhaya ( 249-262 A.D. ) and another reference to a building named Mahapadhanaghara where the chief monk of Maha Viharaya …
