The Rockhill Hermitage is a government approved NON - PROFIT charitable foundation. It is an international retreat centre for the practice and learning of meditation and Buddhist studies. Easily accessible from Kandy, it is situated deep in the unspoilt countryside of Sri Lanka's central mountain region. The climate is mild and pleasant. Visitors are surrounded by an abundance of flora and fauna, with natural spring water on site.
The Hermitage is situated on a mountainside and consists of a monastery, a men's area, a nunnery and a women's area. It has a large meditation hall.
A library and a number of caves and student houses are scattered around the peaceful 15-acre site. The name 'Rockhill' refers to the impressive boulders and rocks that form some of the caves.
The Rockhill Hermitage is one of the few retreat centres in Sri Lanka where it is possible for women to live alone in small cottages in a natural setting.
Intensive ten-day meditation courses are held at the beginning of each month. Arrangements can also be made for individual retreats of indefinite duration. The founder and teacher, Venerable P. Kassapa (Bhante), has taught Vipassana meditation and the Dhamma for over 35 years. Sadly, Bhante passed away in 2016. Since then, the courses have been taught by Venerable Dhammachari, who was his disciple for 35 years and often stood in for him when teaching at the Meditation Centre or worldwide. She teaches in English and Sinhala.
The founder of Rockhill hermitage is Bhante Kassapa. In 1970, Mrs. Jinadasa generously granted him a rock cave at Wegirikanda which he renamed "Rockhill". He lived there alone whilst making visits to the local village. As the village people became familiar with him, they began coming to him seeking instruction in meditation and Buddhist practice.
Westerners also began to arrive. With the passage of time, other people (both local and western) assisted in the purchase of surrounding land until the present site became 15 acres. Whist Bhante Kassapa has traveled extensively overseas giving instruction in meditation, palliative care and Buddhist practice.
