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, a Sri Lankan-born Theravada Bhikkhunī, has devoted her life to monastic practice, often in serene and secluded forest environments. She embodies the Eightfold Noble Path through meditation, ethical living, and fostering compassionate relationships aimed at spiritual liberation. Before her ordination, Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni contributed significantly to the establishment of Buddhist monasteries and kutis in Sri Lanka and organized Buddhist retreats across the United States. In 2019, she was ordained as a Sāmanerī in Sri Lanka and, in 2022, received full ordination as a Bhikkhunī in Virginia, USA. This historic ordination took place 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 the participation of 40 Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs (Ubhato Sangha). Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni’s dedication to the Eightfold Noble Path is reflected in her efforts to provide ordination opportunities for female practitioners and to inspire others through her simplicity and mindfulness. She has made a profound impact on increasing the visibility and acceptance of female monastics within Theravada Buddhism, empowering women to enter the Bhikkhunī lineage and embrace monastic life. In addition, Venerable Dhammadinna Bhikkhuni introduces the Buddhist community to forest monastic monks who articulate the Buddha’s teachings in ways that guide practitioners toward personal wisdom. Her life and work exemplify the transformative power of the Buddha’s Dhamma, inspiring many to deepen their spiritual practice and understanding.
President & Founder
Bhante Ven. Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi Thero
Venerable Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi Thero, born in Sri Lanka, has resided 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 the founder and president of Dhamma Center Inc. in Winchester, Virginia, he has been instrumental in fostering spiritual growth within the Buddhist community. His vision includes organizing Dhamma discussions led by senior forest monastic monks visiting the United States and accompanying them internationally to share the teachings of the Buddha with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist audiences. Through his dedication, the Dhamma Center has become a vibrant hub for spiritual engagement and community building. Venerable Dhammagaveshi Thero’s unwavering commitment to spreading the Dhamma and enriching spiritual lives continues to inspire many within the Buddhist community. His selfless volunteer work as a monk significantly contributes to the global dissemination of the Dhamma, leaving a lasting impact both locally and internationally.
