Bhante Kamalasiri

Resident Meditation Teacher

Time period that he became a medication teacher in USA and also as an auther

Bhante Mihintala Kamalasiri is a dedicated guided meditation teacher, primarily focusing on Vipassana techniques sourced from the Buddhist Sutras. He believes this practice provides sentient beings with the mental tools necessary to navigate life's challenges, aiming to inspire inner peace, wisdom, and resilience.

He has taught extensively in various countries, including the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, India, Nepal, China, England, and Italy.

His specific teaching roles since 2010 include:

• Meditation Teacher at Bhodhiwanaya Center for Dhamma School (2010–2015).
• Meditation Teacher at Triple Gem of North America (2015–2017).
• Meditation Teacher at Metta Meditation Center (Since 2017).

His current listed address is the Metta Meditation Center in Janesville, MN.

Continued Academic Contributions:

He has pursued advanced education in the US context, earning dual Master of Arts degrees in Buddhist Counseling in 2023:

• Master of Arts in Buddhist Counseling from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
• Master of Arts in Buddhist Counseling from South Central College, USA.

His continuing areas of expertise include Meditation (Bhavana), Buddhist philosophy, and writing (Articles and Research papers). He participates in academic discussions and conferences related to Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and environmental awareness.

Research and International Meditation Experience

Time period that he was traveling in India and other services together with his role as an author of couple of books and researches

Bhante Kamalasiri lived in the Himalayan Mountains for three years (since 1999) to research Vajrayana and Hindu meditation techniques. He visited the Shivananda Ashram numerous times. Accounts of these visits were documented in his Sinhala book titled, Mihidugiren Himagirata.

He practiced meditation in the caves of the Yelmo Mountains in 2010, where the Tibetan saint Yogi Milarepa once meditated. He also spent time at the Tusita Meditation Center. He participated in the Annual Teaching of H.H. Dalai Lama (1999) and a Zen Meditation Course at Songgwangsa Temple, Gogyesan Mountain, South Korea (2002). He served the Buddhist Society of Victoria (2002–2003). He was also a part of the Apprenticeship Program organized by the U.S. State Department.

Service and Advisory Roles in Sri Lanka:

He held several important positions in Sri Lanka, spanning academic and governmental sectors:

• Teacher of the Dhamma School in Peradeniya (1986 until 2008).
• Taught and mentored novice monks at the Bhikkhu Training College in Peradeniya (for a couple of years between 1990–2010).
• Librarian at Bhikku Training at Gyanalankara (1991 until 1997).
• Coordination Secretary in the Ministry of Religious Affairs (2006–2007), focusing on promoting Buddhist teachings and practices.
• Served as an adviser for the Kandy District Committee of Buddhist Authority, The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the documentary “2550 Years of Buddhism in Sri Lanka”.
• He was an adviser for the committee that issued the Bank of Ceylon coin.
• He was a member of the Board of Trustee for the National Environmental Forum.

Authorship and Publications:

Bhante Kamalasiri has written 7 books in Sinhala and contributed many published articles in newspapers and magazines in Sri Lanka and Australia, focusing on meditation and Buddhist philosophy's contemporary relevance.

His published works include:

1. Minissu – “Humans”
2. Aprakata Bauddha Lokaya – “Unknown Buddhist World“
3. Hima Giren Hela Diwata Vadiya Yathiwarayano, The Sikkim Mahinda – “Monk who from from the Himalayas to Sri Lanka”
4. Mihindu Giren Hima Girata – “From Minithale to Himalaya” (This book is a National Literature Award Winner)
5. Baudda Adahilla Ha Dakma – “The Buddhist World and Vision”
6. Asa Taru Saha Mama – “The Sky, The Stars and Me”
7. “Messiah”

An additional book titled “Sasanavansaya Ha Rassagala Parsveeya Ithihasaya” is also listed. He has also spoken for radio and television and been involved in translating Buddhist texts for local and international communities.

Early life and education

Bhante Missaka Kamalasiri was born in Mihintale (Missaka), Sri Lanka, in 1970. This location is near the site where the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa inaugurated the presence of Buddhism on the island.

His family lineage traces back to groups who arrived in Sri Lanka during the 3rd century BCE, around the time the Sri Mahabodhi was brought from India. An ancestor named Gobuthiya (or Gothiya) was recorded as a physician, and descendants of this family continue to practice Ayurveda medicine to the present day. His parents are L. Disanayaka and L. Kusumawati Disanayaka.

He obtained his primary education at Vellaragama Primary School (Mihintale Education Division) and Dhammadinna Maha Vidyalaya. He developed a special interest in meditation from childhood.

Monastic Training and Academic Achievements:

Bhante Kamalasiri received his novice (Samanera) ordination at the age of 14 from his teacher, Balangoda Anandamaitrie (also referred to as Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero). Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero was a renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist monk considered a Bodhisattva by many.

He continued his training and education at the Vegirikanda Meditation Center and the Gnanalankara Bhikkhu Training Center in Peradeniya. His higher education was completed at the Sangaraja Monks Training School in Kandy and Vidyodaya, Colombo.

His meditation training included

• Starting practice under the guidance of Venerable Ananda Maitriya Maha Nayaka Thero.
• A Vipassana meditation course under the Most Venerable B. Ananda Maitreya Thero at Rockhill Hermitage and Dodanlena at Balangoda (1988–1993).
• Receiving guidance from the renowned Dhamma teacher Godwin Samararatne, including training at the Nillamba Meditation Center (1994–1995).

His academic qualifications include passing the Final exam of Dhamma School (1986), the Final exam of Pirivena (1989), G C A/L (1991), and achieving the title of Rajakeeya Pandita (1998). He is proficient in Sinhala, English, and Pali.