One of the monasteries at Anurádhapura. It was built by Devánampiyatissa on the spot where the prince Arittha dwelt with his five hundred followers after having received their ordination from Mahinda (Mhv.xx.14; xix.66). The building of this monastery was the seventh of the great tasks performed by Devánampiyatissa (Mhv.xx.20).
One of the eight saplings from the Bodhi-tree at Anurádhapura was planted at Issarasamanáráma (Mhv.xix.61; Mbv.162).
Candamukha Siva built a tank near Manikáragámaka and gave it for the use of the vihára (Mhv.xxxv.47), while Vasabha built in the monastery an uposatha-hall (Mhv.xxxv.87) and Voháraka Tissa constructed a wall round it (Mhv.xxxvi.36). Kassapa I. restored the buildings and enlarged the grounds. He also bought villages which he presented to the monastery for its maintenance. He had two daughters, Bodhí and Uppalavanná, and he gave their names and his own to the vihára. When the king wished to hand over the vihára to the Theraváda monks they refused to accept it, fearing the reproach of the people that it was the work of a parricide. Then the king dedicated it to the image of the Buddha and the monks accepted it saying that it belonged to their Master (Cv.xxxix.10-14; see also below).
According to the Mahávamsa Tíká (pp. 407 and 652), the vihára was also called Kassapagiri, probably after its restoration by Kassapa I., mentioned above.' See also Kassapagiri. See also Cv. Trs.i.43, n.7, and Ep. Zeyl. i.31ff., where the vihára is called "Isuramenu-.Bo-Upulvan-Kasubgiri" in an inscription of Mahinda IV.
It had originally been called Issarasamana because of its association with the five hundred noblemen (issaradáraká) who joined the Order with Arittha (MT.416). The Tíká adds (607) that Sáliya, son of Dutthagámani, enlarged the vihára out of the tribute brought to him by the men of his tributary villages to the south of Anurádhapura. He used to observe the uposatha on fast days at the vihára and spend the day in the Mahindaguhá there.
In the Samantapásádiká (i.100) the vihára is called Issaranimmána.