Dambulla Cave Temple

WOW. 

That's the first thing that came out of my mouth on seeing the huge, imposing. statue of Lord Buddha at the Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

The Golden (Dambulla Cave) Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

 It's reportedly been so for around 22 centuries!

This plaque gives background information on the Temple.

I  thought the flags above were Sri Lankan flags, as you see them  everywhere....inside/outside public buildings and even on the buses.

 However I was informed that they are Buddhist flags..

Therefore, I don't think I have seen the Sri Lankan flag flying anywhere since I got here! For I even passed a government ministry and looked for the country's flag, but no sign of it. Just the  Buddhist flag everywhere! 

Buddhism is complex. Some people say it's a religion, others say it's a way of life. 

I agree with the latter explanation and have always been drawn to it because it preaches peace and internal happiness.

My favorite aspect of their philosophy is " do no harm".

While Lord Buddha did not insist that adherents become vegetarians, I hate the idea of spilling the blood of animals to fill our bellies. But since mi bruk bad in this life, will have to wait until I am reincarnated to stop doing that.

Then oh then can poor pigs be saved from me!

Depiction of monks on the pilgrimage

Adherents from all over the world visit to show devotion to Lord Buddha.

Here, I pay homage to Buddha .

Fruits are left outside below the statue to feed monkeys, birds and other creatures in the vicinity.

Inside the museum at the Dambulla complex, there is so much to learn.

Posing with the dancers. You have to wear a white top and remove your shoes to enter Buddhist temples here. (It's different in Thailand. You can't enter in shorts but no white top required.)

The complex is so awesome from every angle!

Description of how paper was made from talipot palm, in ancient times. 

Replicas of typical Buddhist parades showing the various hierarchies of adherents. 

In the background is a replica of male dancers and drummers in the temple.

This is supposed to be a replica of Lord Buddha's foot.

 The Princess in the plaque above, is supposed to have smuggled Lord Buddha's tooth in her hair from Kalinga, India, to Sri Lanka, hence she is held in high regard among Sri Lankan Buddhists.

This complex in Dambulla is a fascinating place to visit. 

Ganga (r) a devout Buddhist, gave me the necklace I am wearing in pic. Her mom is on the left.. 

Buddhists are extremely kind and generous people, as exemplified by my host in Sri Lanka, Professor Damith.

🙏.

I'm scared of heights😩

 I really don't like heights, especially when having to descend.

Even if they had gold at the top, I wasn't going any further.

Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica is high enough for me🥴.

That's the top of a Buddhist temple with a large statue of Buddha, in the distance.

Well when I read about Sigiriya   I wanted to get to the top as according to Wikipedia:

 "According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Cūḷavaṃsa, this area was a large forest, then after storms and landslides it became a hill and was selected by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) for his new capital. He built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure; Sinhagiri, the Lion Rock.

The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.[3] Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.[4]"

Sri Lankans are lobbying hard for it to be declared, the world's 8 wonder, I am told.

Well to me it looks like it's about 20,000 feet high and when I saw the ladder I would have to climb up to get to the very top, decided, no sah. 

For how would I come down? Especially after it had just rained and sections were slippery!

They would have to send a helicopter to get me down.😲.

This is Sadeep. He is a champion badminton player/coach in Sri Lanka. Couldn't have made it without him.

Me go up those ladders? No way

 

Buddhist monks below contemplating the climb.

Not another step up for me! No sah😣

This pond has  an octoganal shape. Some of the lanterns used for decorating for Lord Buddha's birthday, adopt the same shape.

Monkeys all around enjoying themselves.

Lotus covered pond. When they bloom there are so beautiful.

Pics above are in the museum. Is has a wealth of information.

This is a termite nest. Cobras live inside.

Some people use ox drawn carts to transport tourists around the surrounding areas.

 You can't visit Sri Lanka and not visit Sigiriya. Difficult in sections but well worth the trip for even if you don't climb the rock, the grounds are extremely well kept, the blooming lotuses in the ponds are really beautiful, lots of monkeys are knocking around and the history lesson intriguing.

A huge replica of a lion's paw

If you are in the region, test your mettle.