Theravada Buddhist monastic center built at Anuradhapura, then capital of Ceylon, by King Vattagamani Abhaya (r. 29–17 BC).
Originally associated with the nearby Mahavihara ("Great Monastery"), it soon seceded in a dispute over the relations between monks and the lay community and the use of Sanskrit works to augment Pali texts as scripture. It gained wealth and power under the patronage of Gajabahu I (AD 113–35) and flourished until Anuradhapura was abandoned in the 13th century. Two of its main colleges operated into the 16th century.