Most Venerable Rev Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero Director / Chief Advisor (Acting Abbot)
Rev Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero is a forest monastic monk from Sri Lanka who has dedicated his life to the monastic path since his higher ordination in 2006. His life is fully rooted in the practice and preservation of the Buddha’s teachings, with a strong emphasis on direct experience, simplicity, and inner transformation. Venerable Thero explains the true Dhamma teachings of the Lord Buddha very well through his own direct experience. Through his clear and practical approach, he makes the Dhamma accessible to modern people, helping them understand how ancient teachings can be applied meaningfully in everyday life.
As the Chief Advisor and Director of the Dhamma Center in Virginia, he serves communities throughout the USA through both in-person and online guidance. His role extends beyond traditional teaching, as he compassionately responds to personal questions and life challenges, offering practical Dhamma-based advice to reduce stress, overcome confusion, and break unwholesome patterns of thinking and behavior. Many people seek his guidance for support in dealing with anxiety, relationship difficulties, and mental strain, finding clarity through mindfulness, right understanding, and ethical living. In this way, his service contributes to emotional balance, mental well-being, and the development of inner peace rooted in wisdom rather than distress.
From 2017, Venerable Thero has traveled widely across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France and Oman, participating in Buddhist rituals, ceremonies, and rainy-season retreats, while also dedicating time to seclusion and deep meditation in natural, peaceful environments. Through this balance of travel, teaching, and solitude, he continues to embody the forest monastic ideal, sharing the Dhamma with sincerity while living the path he teaches.
Venerable Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna Founder Secretary of Sri Lankan Bhikkhunī Association (Sri Lanka & USA)
Venerable Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna is a Sri Lankan-born US Citizen, dedicated to preserving and practicing the Buddha’s teachings while supporting Buddhist communities across the USA and Sri Lanka. Raised in a devout Buddhist family, she was inspired early by generosity, precepts, and monastic life, which shaped her path toward renunciation and Dhamma practice. She ordained as a Sāmanerī in 2019 in Sri Lanka and received full Bhikkhunī ordination in 2022 in Virginia, supported by senior monastics including Most Venerable Peliyagoda Sudarshana Maha Theri (her Āchāriṇī) and Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandit Dr. Walpola Piyananda Maha Thera (her Upajjhāya), with an ubhato Saṅgha assembly at a sīmā established at the Dhamma Center.
Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna’s life reflects a deep and unwavering commitment to the Noble Eightfold Path and the upliftment of women in Buddhism. Through her compassionate guidance, she has supported four women and two men in entering monastic life. Her efforts are strongly encouraged and supported by her senior teachers, including Most Venerable Peliyagoda Sudarshana Maha Theri, Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandit Dr. Walpola Piyananda Maha Thero, and Venerable Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero, who continue to guide her Dhamma work.
Since her lay life, she has also dedicated herself to the spread of the Dhamma by organizing and facilitating Dhamma discussions led by senior forest monastic monks visiting the United States, as well as by accompanying them on international visits to share the Buddha’s teachings with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist audiences.
Through her Dhamma Center and collaboration with her kalyāṇamitta, she continues to bring forest monastic teachings to lay communities, support the growth of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and inspire others to deepen their practice and walk the path toward liberation.
Venerable Bhante Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi Co-Founder
Bhante Kurunegala Dhammagaveshi is a Sri Lankan born US citizen. He was ordained in 2022 and has since dedicated himself to monastic life, fully embracing the Eightfold Path and the teachings of the Buddha.
Bhante’s Dhamma teachers and advisors include Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandit Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero, Most Venerable Katugasthota Uparatana Nayaka Thero, and Most Venerable Pinikahane Maithree Thero. His principal Dhamma teacher is Most Venerable Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero.
Since his lay life, his vision has been to support the dissemination of the Dhamma by organizing Dhamma discussions led by senior forest monastic monks visiting the United States, as well as 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 practice, learning, and community development.
Venerable Dhammagaveshi’s unwavering commitment to spreading the Dhamma and supporting spiritual growth continues to inspire many within the Buddhist community. His voluntary service as a monk contributes significantly to the global dissemination of the Dhamma, creating a lasting impact both locally and internationally.
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Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Peliyagoda Sudarshana Maha Theri Founder & President, Sri Lankan Bhikkhunī Association (Sri Lanka & USA) Founder & Chief Abbess, Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Center, Florida, USA and Dhammikaramaya, Ruwanwella, Sri Lanka
Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Peliyagoda Sudarshana Maha Theri is a respected Theravāda Buddhist leader dedicated to monastic discipline, education, and the revival of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha in Sri Lanka and abroad.
Ordained as a Sāmaṇerī in 1985 and receiving higher ordination in 1996, she was among the pioneering Bhikkhunīs of the historic revival at Sarnath, India. Since then, she has played a key role in strengthening the Bhikkhunī lineage and supporting its global growth.
As a scholar and practitioner, she has contributed to Vinaya studies through works such as Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha and Vinaya Kamma. She has also been actively involved in organizing Bhikkhunī higher ordinations in Sri Lanka and Taiwan, helping to re-establish a strong foundation for the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha Internationally.
The Maha Theri serves as Abbess of the Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Center in Florida and as an advisor to a Dhamma Center in Virginia under the guidance of Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thera. In these roles, she continues to guide both monastic and lay communities, supporting Dhamma practice and spiritual development across the United States and beyond.
Through her leadership and lifelong dedication, she remains an inspiration to those walking the path of Dhamma and striving toward liberation.
Amali Kodagoda-Secretary
Amali Kodagoda, has been a devoted supporter of the Dhamma Center since its early days. As Secretary, she plays a vital role in coordinating logistics, securing accommodation for monastics, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Center’s activities. Her skills in organizing and decoration have been instrumental in planning several religious events, including the 2021 monastery opening ceremony and the 2022 Higher Ordination Ceremony.
Amali’s attention to detail and dedication ensure that every aspect—from ceremonial arrangements to hospitality for monastics and lay devotees at the monastery—is handled with care and reverence.
Known for her kindness and compassion, she attentively addresses the needs of the Sangha, managing responsibilities related to their health, travel, and daily requirements with deep respect. Her longstanding friendship with Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna, which began when they were 17, has fostered a strong bond that enriches her service to the monastic community. Amali’s tireless volunteer work and deep commitment to the Triple Gem continue to make her an invaluable part of the Dhamma Center’s success.
Jayan De Silva -Treasurer
Jayan De Silva serves voluntarily as the Treasurer of the Dhamma Center in Virginia. His unwavering dedication and diverse talents have made him an invaluable asset to the monastic community. Despite living out of state, Jayan consistently contributes his time and expertise, approaching every task with patience, kindness, and a positive attitude. He listens attentively, carefully considers every detail, and offers practical solutions to ensure the success of each project. Jayan’s steadfast commitment reflects his deep dedication to the Dhamma and the shared vision of the monastic community.
