In a quiet wooded enclosure within the Abhayagiri monastery complex sits one of the great masterpieces of ancient Sinhalese art: a 4th-century AD seated Buddha, carved from limestone, in the posture of meditation (samadhi). Its calm half-smile and perfect serenity are widely considered one of the finest Buddha images ever made.
The statue is unusual for being free of inscription and for having lost the original painted finish that would have made it look quite different. Today the bare stone, weathered by centuries, gives the figure an extraordinary stillness. Local custom is to view it in early morning light, when the eastern sun illuminates the face. It is a short ride north of the main monumental zone, and is often skipped by visitors in a hurry — a mistake.