Welcome to the Sambuddhaloka Buddhist Center, located in the peaceful rural village of Bulugahamulla, Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka. Founded and coordinated by Bhante Wasa—a dedicated Buddhist monk, former university lecturer, and practitioner with 25 years of experience guiding both locals and international visitors—our center serves as an authentic spiritual sanctuary and community hub. Through our platform, "Temple Stay Sri Lanka" (templestay.lk), we welcome male and female guests, couples, and families from around the world who seek a genuine spiritual journey, mental clarity, and a slower-paced way of living. Nestled amidst lush nature and tranquil paddy fields, our temple is home to four resident monks and a warm, welcoming local community. Our mission is to create a meaningful cultural and educational exchange. Volunteers and guests have the unique opportunity to live alongside resident monks, practice mindfulness and meditation, and actively engage in village life. We connect international travelers with community-driven projects, allowing you to make a positive contribution while exploring personal growth and self-reflection. At Sambuddhaloka, schedules are unhurried, with a focus on presence and mindfulness. Whether you are joining evening prayers (puja), overlooking the quiet pond, or participating in daily activities, you are warmly welcomed as part of our spiritual community.
The sole purpose of our project is to care for the welfare and well-being of domesticated elephants. At ECRF, we prioritize the mental and physical health of the elephants under our care. We do not engage in riding or exploitative activities with our elephants. Mornings begin with cleaning the elephants’ beds, collecting food for the day, preparing vitamin balls (sometimes containing necessary medicine), and assisting with day-trip visitors. Renting and maintaining elephants is extremely expensive, and the project relies solely on donations and volunteer support, which is why we ask for a fee to join. Our dream is to buy a piece of land where our elephants can roam as freely as possible. We aim to educate as many people as possible about the realities of tourist attractions and the logging industry, so we hope you will have many questions to ask.