Welcome to Mahamevnawa Meditation Monastery of California
The Mahamevnawa Meditattion Monastry of California is a branch of Mahamevnawa Meditation Monastery in Sri Lanka. Mahamvenawa California will provide a quiet, peaceful refuge for all humanity (both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike) with facilities that promote meditation, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. It is our goal to lessen, and inevitably eliminate, the suffering of all beings. We will emphasize the universal teaching of the Buddha that can be applied to modern life. We encourage everyone to take what they can use, nothing more. We offer the following services, free of charge, to members and guests of the Mahamvenawa Meditation Monastry of California.
Mahamevnawa (MahA-Meu-Nawa). is a Theravada Buddhist reform movement from Sri Lanka with branches around the globe. It is our vision to establish a Buddhist monastery in California where people of all ethnicities & creeds can master their mind, develop true inner peace and uplift their lives. We started at a temporary location in 2010 and offer a wide range of courses all free of charge and supported by the community. All are welcome to join our Meditation classes and Lectures on Early Buddhist Teachings.
About Us
Mahamevnava Bhavana Asapuwa is an establishment completely and entirely devoted to the dispensation of the Theravada Buddhist discourses in its purest form (direct interpretation of the “Suttas†– individual discourses, as discussed by the supreme teacher of Buddhism – Gauthama Buddha), for the benefit of the entire humankind who are genuinely seeking a means and a path to salvation from the cycle of birth and death.
Founded a mere 12 years ago, by the most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero, and equipped with the powerful suite of simple “Sinhala†direct translations of the ancient discourses, powered by the most noble premise and kind (metta) intent of a haven for anyone to learn and live the path to salvation as taught by Buddha, Mahamevnawa has grown in leaps and bounds to more than 50 branches centered around the founding grounds at Polgahawela – Sri Lanka, and serves a vast community of Buddhists exceeding a count of 1 million. More than 600 male priests ordained under the ancient Buddhist traditions under the tutelage of most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero, continue their own learning of the “Dhammaâ€- teachings of the Buddha, under the shelter of Mahamevnawa.
Seven branches dedicated to noble women who have left their lay lives to practice the Dhamma, are also flourishing in various parts of Sri Lanka today. As the seekers increase and the message spreads, Mahamevnawa begins to cross the boundaries of the oceans… and today the premise, the tools, the same kind and pure intentions flourish across the globe with branches in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, United States, and Dubaii and provide a peaceful serene and pure environment to dispense the timeless message of the Gautama Buddha.
In the year of 2010, Mahamevnawa reached the Western United States and the California Asapuwa was instituted under the graceful blessing and direction of Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero. Today, a large number of Sri Lankans learn the timeless teachings of Gautama Buddha under the benevolent tutelage of the venerable resident priests of the California Asapuwa. An open invitation to all who seek a true path for happiness in this life and a means of salvations from the cycle of birth and death … please visit us at the California Asapuwa and experience the serenity, wisdom and the rightful path of the ancient teachings of the Buddha. Scheduled programs every Tuesday and Saturday evenings and a full day program during 2nd Sunday of every month are available for your convenience. In addition, a private discussion with a resident priest can be scheduled anytime between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM, by appointment. May the noble Triple Gem (The Buddha, Dhamma, and the Sangha) be a beacon of wisdom and strength to you and grace your life with kindness, purity, simplicity and happiness!