Who We Are
A growing spiritual community rooted in the authentic Theravada tradition of the Buddha — open to everyone, guided by compassion.
Sharing the Original Teachings of the Buddha
The Buddha discovered the path to the end of suffering over 2,500 years ago. Those teachings — preserved faithfully in the Pali language — remain as relevant and transformative today as they were then.
Our mission is to make these teachings accessible to everyone in New York and beyond: clearly explained, freely given, and deeply practiced in a supportive community.
Whether you are Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, agnostic, or simply curious — the Dhamma is for you. The teachings are universal, addressing the fundamental human experiences of suffering, impermanence, and the longing for peace.
Our Core Values
Compassion
We welcome everyone with warmth and kindness. There is no judgment here — only support for your journey toward peace and understanding.
Authenticity
We teach from the original Pali Canon — the earliest recorded words of the Buddha — ensuring the purity and integrity of the Dhamma.
Community
The Sangha — the community of practitioners — is one of the three jewels of Buddhism. We cultivate a truly supportive spiritual family.
Generosity (Dāna)
All teachings, programs, and resources are offered freely in the spirit of Dāna. The Dhamma is not for sale — it is a gift to humanity.
Mindfulness
We practice and teach mindfulness as the Buddha taught it — as a path to wisdom and liberation, not just stress reduction.
Non-sectarian
We do not ask you to convert or leave your own tradition. The Dhamma enriches every life — whatever path you walk.
Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnānānanda Thero
Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnānānanda Thero
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery was founded by Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnānānanda Thero, one of the most respected Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka and around the world.
After rigorous monastic training and deep practice in forest monasteries, he dedicated his life to making the original Theravada teachings accessible to people of all backgrounds. His approach is renowned for its clarity, depth, and universal applicability.
Under his guidance, Mahamevnawa has grown into a worldwide network of centers, each committed to the same mission: authentic Dhamma, freely shared, for the benefit of all beings.
Theravada Buddhism
The oldest surviving school of Buddhism, preserving the original teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.
The Pali Canon
Our teachings are grounded in the Tipitaka — the Pali Canon — the most complete early record of the Buddha's discourses, monastic rules, and philosophical analysis. Preserved over millennia with extraordinary care.
The Noble Eightfold Path
The core of the Buddha's teaching: right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration — a complete guide to ethical and mindful living.
The Three Jewels
Practitioners take refuge in the Buddha (the awakened teacher), the Dhamma (his teachings), and the Sangha (the community of practitioners). These three jewels form the foundation of Buddhist practice.
Meditation Practice
Meditation is the heart of the path. We teach both Samatha (calm-abiding) and Vipassana (insight) meditation — bringing the mind to stillness and cultivating deep wisdom about the nature of reality.
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."— The Buddha
Ready to take the first step?
Come join us for a meditation session — no experience or prior knowledge needed. Just come as you are.