• Vessagiri

A monastery in Ceylon, near Anurādhapura. It was built by Devānampiyatissa for the five hundred vessas (merchants) who were ordained by Mahinda (Mhv.Xx.15; Mhv. Trs. 137, n.3). Near the monastery was a forest, where Vattagāmanī, in his flight, hid the alms bowl of the Buddha. There he also met the Elder Kupikkala Mahātissa (Mhv.Xxxiii.48f). The alms bowl was discovered and taken by a Tamil to India, but was later recovered (Mhv.Xxxiii.55). To the south of Vessagiri was the Pabbata vihāra, and, near it, the village of Silāsobbhakandaka. MT.616.