About Mahamevnawa

Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is a place for everyone, regardless of background or experience, to learn and practice the ancient teachings of the Buddha. You will discover a like-minded community of people who are interested in finding happiness that is not based on endless consuming and accumulating more and more things. By learning and practicing the teachings of the Buddha, you will gain a peace and happiness that is not tied to the ups and downs of ordinary life.

Mahamevnawa, meaning “Great Cloud Monastery,” was the name of the first monastery established in Sri Lanka and the place where Arahant Mahinda Thero first introduced the Buddha’s teachings to the island.

The monestery is led by monks ordained and trained in the oldest tradition of Buddhism,  Theravada. Through their guidance we are able to provide many opportunities for you to learn all of the Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness, meditation, morality, and generosity. We have several Dhamma programs as well as other chances to learn the teachings.

Starting of the Monastery

Mahamevanawa Buddhist Monastery was established to benefit the spiritual development of human beings through the teachings of Buddha. Founded in 1999 in Sri Lanka by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero, its sole purpose is to spread the original teachings of the Buddha. The monastery is a warm and welcoming place for everyone to investigate true happiness through Dhamma and meditation.

Here the Buddha’s teachings are presented in modern language that is easy to understand. What makes Mahanevnawa unique is the effort to bring the Supreme Dhamma to listeners in its original form. Because of this, both young and old listen to the Dhamma and practice virtue, concentration, mindfulness and wisdom to realize the Four Noble Truths revealed by the Supreme Buddha. Presently there are more than 650 monks, more than 100 Anagarika nuns, and thousands of lay disciples practicing Dhamma at Mahamevnawa Monasteries around the world. Currently there are more than 70 Sri Lankan and international branches including in Canada, United States, England, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, South Korea and India.

Learn more about our monasteries in Sri Lanka and overseas branches.

Propagation of Dhamma

Mahamevnawa Monastery is spreading the amazing word of the Supreme Buddha through Sri Lanka and the world through following sources:

Compassion towards the community

We have implemented many community aid events with the support of local and international devotees and donations.
People benefit the programs such as:

The majority of monasteries and monastics in Mahamevnawa are located in Sri Lanka. Being a Buddhist country that is still filled with forests and jungles, it is still possible for monks to live in seclusion close to the lay people who provide the necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.

The monastic centers are diverse, some close to cities, some deep in the forest. Some large and some small. Every six months the monks gather in the main monastery in Polgahawela and are assigned a new monastery to live in.

Headquarters in Polgahawela

Our main monastery is outside the town of Polgahawela. This is where monk’s trainings begin. The monastic quarters are geographically separated from the public areas so there is a peaceful environment for meditation.

Even a brief look at the Mahamevnawa monasteries in Sri Lanka reveals deep ties to the long heritage of spiritual art in Buddhism. Being surrounded by the images that represent the deep goals of the Buddha’s path helps to remind the viewer of the reality of the Buddha’s enlightenment.

We invite you visit our Amazing Buddha Mansion

Fulfilling the Buddha’s wish that all of his disciples—monks, nuns, lay men, and lay women—are able to proclaim the pure Dhamma, we provide the opportunity for everyone to come together to learn the Dhamma.

We have built many stupas that serve as a focal point for reflection on the qualities of the Buddha’s enlightenment. These monuments provide protection for the sacred bone and hair relics that have been given to our monasteries.