Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery

Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery

File:Mahamevna.png
Formation	14 August 1999
Type	Organization of Buddhist monastries
Purpose	Spiritual Development
Headquarters	Polgahawela, Sri Lanka
Location	Sri Lanka (36 branches); Toronto, CA; New Jersey, USA; Sydney, AU [details]
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	practicing Buddhists
Founder	Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero
Website	http://www.mahamevna.org http://www.buddhavision.com

Mahamevnawa[1] is "an organization of monasteries established for the sake of spiritual development of human beings through the teachings of the Sakyamuni Buddha who was born in 500 B.C. Our only wish is to give you spiritual help in order to make your mind pure which is useful for the realization of Nibbana: the unbounded liberation."

It has around 40 monasteries for meditation throughout Sri Lanka (and recent ones in Canada [2], USA [3] and Australia [4]).

Founder and the chief Buddhist monk in charge of these monasteries is Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero who is engaged in spreading Buddhism in its true form (to both local and international communities), highlighting the aim of Buddhism: putting and end to Dukka (suffering) or attaining Nibbana.

Practicing Damma

File:Bodhignana.jpg

Aim of a practicing Buddhist: "Cession of Suffering, within One's Life"
(as highlighted in Sinhalese by: Mahamevnawa Bodhignana Sabhava)

According to Lord Buddha's teachings: birth as a human being is a very rare opportunity. Fortunate people who achieve that rare opportunity should develop their minds to attain the ultimate goal of Nibbana.

One can attain Nibbana only by adhering to the Buddhist doctrine (Dhamma); through a process called: Noble Eightfold Path (Arya Ashtangika Magga). Initial levels of spiritual development: e.g. Stream Enter (Sothapanna) & Once Returner (Sakadagami), may be achieved even amidst the chores of one's day-to-day life.

First step towards cession of suffering (achieving Nibbana) is getting to know Buddha's teaching. Mahamevnawa plays an important role in this regard through promotion of teaching, discussing and practicing Dhamma in unaltered form.

Mahamevnawa also facilitates people to practice meditation, one of the key aspects for imrpoving concentration (Samadhi) and wisdom (Panna), through cultivating mindfulness (sathi) as a component of path to Nibbana.

A key point highlighted is that: Damma not only says that the life is suffering (Dukkha), but also shows path to cession of suffering.

Spreading Damma

True disciples of Budhdha are Samichipatipanno: not only practice Dhamma with the sole aiming relinquishing one's suffering, but also spread it with compassion towards others. Both lay and clergy associated with Mahamevnawa adheres to this whenever possible.

Let the Blessed one teach the Dhamma.
There are beings with less defilements in their hearts.
They will wither away, if they do not get the opportunity to Listen to Dhamma.
If They will realize the Truth and Flourish, if they get to Listen to Dhamma.

— Mahavagga Pali

Suggested Readings

• A Spiritual Biography of Bhikku Ñānānanda, the Founder of Mahamevnawa Monastery
• Where there is Passion
• The Ultimate Leader
• Four Poisonous Snakes
• Householder's Path to Nibbana
• Preparing the Mind for Nibbana
• The World of Lord Buddha
• Dhamma is Positive Force
• The Worlds are Convinced by Lord Buddha
• My Homage
• Deva Worship in Buddhism
• Dhamma is Immaculate
• BuddhaVision FAQ - Getting Closer to Reality

See also

• Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero
• Sri Lankan Buddhism
• Buddhist texts

External Links

• Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery - Official Website
• Buddha Vision - Official English Website
• Mahamevnawa Monastery - Events | Event Feed
• Mahamevnawa Canada - Official Website
• Mahamevnawa USA - Official Website
• Mahamevnawa Australia - Official Website
• Locate the branches on Google Maps

Other

• YouTube - Mahamevna's Channel