Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera is a prominent Sri Lankan monk, best known as the founder and chief advisor of Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and Shraddha Media Network. He is recognized for his efforts in spreading Theravada Buddhism in its pure form, emphasizing the original teachings of the Buddha. His extensive work includes authoring over 300 Buddhist texts, translating scriptures into Sinhala, and establishing a large media network dedicated to Buddhist teachings.
Key Facts
- ›Founder and chief advisor of Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and Shraddha Media Network.
- ›Became a monk at age 17 and later founded Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery in 1999.
- ›Authored over 300 Buddhist books and translated the Sutta Pitaka into simple Sinhala.
- ›Established Shraddha TV and Radio, which has become Sri Lanka's largest Buddhist media network.
- ›Reintroduced the Buddhist greeting "Namo Buddhaya" in Sri Lanka.
- ›Appointed as the Anunayaka of the Sri Kalyaniwansa Sect of the Amarapura Nikaya in 2019.
Important Relationships
- Dambagasare Sumedhankara Thera
- Dikwelle Pannananda Thera
- Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery
- Mahamevnawa Maha Sangha Saba
- Shraddha Media Network
- Amarapura Nikaya
- Over 300 Buddhist Scriptures
- Translation of Sutta Pitaka Into Sinhala
- Translation of "Pirith Book" Into Sinhala and English
- Buddha – the Marvelous Sage
- Buddhism
- the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana: Maha Satipatthana Sutta
- Dependent Origination
- Arahant Kondanna – the First Bhikkhu
- Mahamevnawa Paritta Pali-English Chanting Book
- the Wise Shall Realize
- Maha Satipatthana Sutta Pali-English Chanting Book
- This Was Said By the Buddha: Itivuttaka
- What Happens After Death? – Buddha Answers
- What Does the Buddha Really Teach? – Dhammapada
- the Voice of Enlightened Nuns – the Theri Gatha
- the Voice of Enlightened Monks – the Thera Gatha
- the Life of Buddha For Children
- Stories of Sakka, Lord of Gods
- Stories of Heavenly Mansions From the Vimanavatthu
- Stories of Ghosts From the Petavatthu
- Stories of Brahmas From the Brahma Samyutta
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, Waduwava, Polgahawela, Seruwavila, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Somawathiya Temple, Rankoth Vehera, Mihintale
the Buddha
Sinhala, English, Pali
Monk Vows
About Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera, born on July 1, 1961, is a highly influential Sri Lankan Buddhist monk. He is widely recognized as the visionary founder of the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and serves as the chief advisor for both the Mahamevnawa Maha Sangha Saba and the Shraddha Media Network. Many devotees affectionately refer to him as "Pinwath Loku Suwaminwahanse."
Spiritual Journey and Foundation
Gnanananda Thera embarked on his monastic path at the age of 17, receiving ordination on March 26, 1979, at Seruwavila. He pursued a traditional Buddhist academic education, culminating in his studies at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In August 1999, he established the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery in Waduwava, Polgahawela. This monastery has since expanded significantly, boasting over 80 branches across Sri Lanka and more than 45 international locations in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Dubai, and South Korea.
Media and Dissemination of Dhamma
In 2012, Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda launched Shraddha TV and Radio with the explicit aim of propagating the pure Dhamma. Today, Shraddha Media Network stands as Sri Lanka's largest Buddhist media conglomerate, encompassing television, radio, internet platforms, Buddhist magazines, and web software. His leadership has also resulted in the largest contingent of student monks in Sri Lanka, numbering over 1000.
Literary and Translation Contributions
A prolific writer, Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera has authored more than 300 Buddhist scriptures. He has undertaken significant translation work, including rendering the Sutta Pitaka into simple Sinhala and translating the "Pirith Book" into Sinhala and English in a manner conducive to chanting. His publications have been translated into numerous languages, including English, Thai, and French. Furthermore, he pioneered the printing of Buddhist scriptures in Tamil and the Bale system in Sri Lanka.
Teachings and Influence
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera's teachings focus on Theravada Buddhism, stressing the importance of practicing the Dhamma in its unadulterated form, as expounded by the Buddha in the Sutras, while discarding extraneous elements. He often highlights the rarity and value of human birth and emphasizes that true greatness lies in one's conduct rather than external factors. His teachings aim to guide individuals towards freedom from suffering (dukkha) and the attainment of Supreme Bliss. He also reintroduced the traditional Buddhist greeting, "Namo Buddhaya," to Sri Lankan Buddhists.
Recognition and Role
In 2019, he was appointed as the Anunayaka of the Sri Kalyaniwansa Sect within the Amarapura Nikaya. The immense popularity of his Dhamma programs is evidenced by the participation of hundreds of thousands of devotees in large-scale religious observances he has led at significant Buddhist sites across Sri Lanka.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera?
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera is a Sri Lankan monk, renowned as the founder of the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and the Shraddha Media Network. He is dedicated to teaching Theravada Buddhism in its original form.
What are the main organizations founded by Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera?
He founded the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, which has numerous branches in Sri Lanka and internationally, and the Shraddha Media Network, a significant Buddhist media outlet.
What is Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera known for in terms of his teachings?
He emphasizes practicing Buddhism in its pure form, as taught in the Sutras, and encourages followers to cast off practices not advocated by the Buddha. His teachings focus on understanding and eradicating suffering (dukkha).
What is the extent of Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera's written works?
He is credited with writing over 300 Buddhist books. He has also translated significant texts like the Sutta Pitaka into simple Sinhala and has had his works translated into various international languages.
How has Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera contributed to Buddhist media?
He founded Shraddha TV and Radio, which has grown into the largest Buddhist media network in Sri Lanka. This network utilizes television, radio, the internet, and Buddhist magazines to spread the Dhamma.
What is the significance of "Namo Buddhaya" in relation to Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera?
Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera reintroduced the usage of "Namo Buddhaya" as a Buddhist greeting among Sri Lankan Buddhists. He also participated in a weekly telecast named "Namo Buddhaya".
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