Our Vision
“Empty this boat, O monks/nuns! Emptied, it will sail lightly” ( Siñca bhikkhu imam nāvaṃ sittā te lahumessati) is the kind admonition of our Supreme Buddha for all of us. We follow that very words of the Buddha. We do never want to hoard, collect more and more material stuffs and load the boat of this life, these five aggregates because we know very well that then the boat would never sail lightly. (We will never be able to cross over the flood of defilement).
Our Mission
We, as the faithful and wise followers of the Buddha, to fulfill our vision based on “Right understanding”, dedicate to provide a peaceful and congenial monastery for both monks and nuns to live following the monastic Code of Discipline (Vinaya) of the Buddha.
The place, wherever the location, is called “Dhamma Center” in which the ordained monastics can live permanently while cultivating the Middle Path supported by morality (seela), concentration (Samadhi) and wisdom (Paññā) for the achievement of the accomplishment of the goal.
We are the sons and daughters of the Buddha. That is our simple criterion. This Mission is for the achievement of the success of our spiritual goal. Therefore, we never discriminate people based on their Nationality, color, caste, class, religion, race, gender or disability.
We are a group of Buddhist practitioners who dedicate for the well-being and progress of the Buddha Sāsana, the Dispensation of the Buddha. We all are focused on the Supreme Dhamma, the Teachings of the Buddha.
Our Center, “Dhamma Center”, was established on September 11, 2020 in Virginia -USA, as a small non-profit Buddhist organization dedicated to serving the surrounding communities in support of practicing Meditation and the Dhamma taught by the Buddha 2600 years ago. All spiritual services offered by the monastic community and the lay teachers of the “Dhamma Center” are free of charge.
While we practice the Dhamma and Meditation, our firm determination and fervent wish is to share the same Dhamma and Meditation techniques with our local or/international Dhamma friends who seek the Dhamma and Meditation for their daily life and spiritual journey.
For the spiritual enhancement of the lives of the monastics and the lay residents, visitors and the local Communities, our primary sources of inspiration of the Dhamma and Meditation are the Original Teachings of the Buddha found in the ancient Pali Canon.
We are more than happy to share our skills, experiences, and guidance with you for the benefit and happiness of your spiritual life. Our unreserved dedicated volunteer service is always open for you. We wish you a blissful spiritual journey. You are Welcome!
*Chief Advisor / Director
Most Venerable Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero*
Most Venerable Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero is a revered senior monk of the Amarapura Saddama Yukthika Mathara Mahanikaya in Sri Lanka. Since his full ordination in June 2006, he has dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of the Buddha, earning widespread respect both within Sri Lanka and internationally for his exceptional ability to teach Dhamma and lead Buddhist meditation.
Monastic Life and Connection with Nature
Most Venerable Dammagaveshi Thero has spent approximately 17 years living a secluded monastic life in the wilderness of Sri Lanka. His profound connection with nature, sharing his existence with elephants and other wild animals, reflects his deep commitment to the monastic path and his profound understanding of the interdependence of all life.
Dedication to the Dhamma
Driven by a deep curiosity about the nature of suffering as elucidated by the Buddha, Most Ven. Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero has immersed himself in the practice and teaching of the suttas. His teachings, rooted in personal experience and delivered with clarity and eloquence, have made the sublime Dhamma accessible to the global Sri Lankan Buddhist community. He possesses a unique ability to present deep spiritual teachings in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences, encouraging individuals to reflect on their suffering and awaken their wisdom.
Global Influence and Teachings
Most Venerable Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero has been a pioneer in bringing the noble Gambira Dhamma to the global Sri Lankan Buddhist community. His teachings, based on the sutras and his extensive experiences, elucidate the Buddha’s teachings in a manner that is both insightful and thought-provoking. His sharp spiritual strength and adeptness in discussing the Dhamma have made him a respected and inspiring guide on the spiritual path.
Most Venerable Dammagaveshi Thero has extensive international experience, having visited the USA, Australia, the UK, Canada, and Oman. His insightful Dhamma discussions, teachings, compassionate guidance, and numerous community service projects have significantly enhanced spiritual growth among Buddhist communities worldwide. His profound understanding of Buddhist principles and his remarkable ability to convey these teachings have deeply impacted many lives.
Leadership and Community Impact
As the Chief Advisor and Director of the Dhamma Center, Most Venerable Dammagaveshi Thero’s profound spiritual insights and extensive experience in teaching and guiding practitioners enrich the community. His leadership and wisdom inspire many on the path of Dhamma, fostering spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
Most Ven. Dammagaveshi Thero’s life and work embody a deep dedication to the Dhamma and a remarkable ability to guide and inspire the global Buddhist community. His teachings continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, making the timeless wisdom of the Buddha accessible and relevant in today’s world.
Venerable Bhikkhunī Kurunegala Dhammadinna
Venerable Kurunegala Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni is a Sri Lankan-born Theravada Bhikkhunī dedicated to monastic life, often in secluded forest areas. She practices the Eightfold Noble Path, integrating meditation, ethical living, and compassionate relationships for liberation.
As a laywoman in the USA, Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni helped establish Buddhist monasteries and kutis in Sri Lanka and organized retreats in the USA. In 2019, Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna was ordained as a Sāmanerī in Sri Lanka and became a fully ordained Bhikkhunī in 2022 in Virginia, USA, at a newly inaugurated sima under the guidance of Most Venerable Bhikkhunī Peliyagoda Sudarshana Maha Theri and Aggamaha Pandit Most Venerable Walpola Piyananda Mahāthero, with 40 Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs ( Ubhatho sanga) participating.
Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni’s practice emphasizes the Eightfold Noble Path and offers ordination opportunities, inspiring many with her simplicity and mindfulness. Venerable Dhammadinna significantly enhances the visibility and acceptance of female monastics in Theravada Buddhism. Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni helps female laity enter the Bhikkhunī lineage and practice monastic life, exemplifying the transformative power of the Buddha’s teachings. Additionally, Venerable likes to introduce the Buddhist community to forest monastic monks who explain the Buddha’s teachings, transforming them into personal wisdom for the listeners.
President & Founder
Bhante Ven. Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi Thero
Bhante Ven. Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi Thero, born in Sri Lanka, has lived in the United States for over 20 years. In 2022, he embraced monastic life, dedicating himself to the Eightfold Path and the teachings of the Buddha.
As founder and president of Dhamma Center Inc. in Winchester, Virginia, he fosters spiritual growth within the Buddhist community. His vision includes providing Dhamma discussions led by senior froest monastic monks visiting the USA and traveling with them internationally to conduct Dhamma discussions for Buddhist and nun buddhist people. His hard work has made the center a hub for spiritual relationship and community building.
Venerable Dhammagaveshi Thero’s commitment to spreading the Dhamma and enhancing spiritual lives inspires many in the Buddhist community. His volunteer work as a monk contributes to the global spread of the Dhamma, making a profound impact on individuals locally and internationally
