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Bhante Pannila Ananda Nayaka Thera , is the founding President and the Abbot of the Houston Buddhist Vihara. He is also the Sangha Chief, or Nayaka Thera, of the Attanagalla Rajamaha Vihara in Sri Lanka . He is one of the founders and directors of Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles and also serves as its secretary. He also performs dharma activities in Taiwan . Bhante Ananda has been in the Sangha, for more than 40 years. He receivd a B.A. (Honors) in Pali Language and Buddhist Studies from the Vidyalankara University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in 1969. After receiving a scholarship to study in Japan , he studied at Kyoto University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies and recieved Diplomas in Japanese Buddhist Studies and in the Japanese
Language respectively. During this period, he performed dharma activities in Kobe , Japan , from 1977 to 1978. Ven Rahula is the secretary, and Dhamma teacher of Houston Buddhist Vihara. He teaches in children's Dhamma classes, conduct Friday's meditation class, and give Dhamma talks in English at the Vihara, as well as at other places. Ven. Nanda, also from Attanagalla Royal temple in Sri Lanka, was the secretary and treasurer of the Vihara since its initiation to the year of 2005. He was also the president of the Texas Buddhist Council. He not only sacrificed his life for the Vihara during difficult years but also directed the construction of the new shrine hall and the educational building. Ven. Sumangala is the Dhamma and meditation teacher of the Vihara. Having obtained his bachelors degree in Buddhism with honors, he received a scholarship to Japan, where he completed his higher studies and stayed for 13 years. He became a resident monk of Houston Buddhist Vihara in 1998. Among his works are the translations of Sinhala books into Japanese and vice versa. Ven. Sumangala also coordinates Dana activities at the Vihara and organizes children's scholarship program maintained by the Vihara.
Ven. Seevalee is the latest addition to the group of resident monks at the Vihara. He is also from Attanagalla temple and emigrated to the United States in 2005. In Sri Lanka, he earned his B.A. in Sinhala and M.A. in Buddhist Studies. He had been a high school teacher in Sri Lanka for 10 years before coming to the United States. Ven. Seevalee is the treasurer of the Vihara and coordinator of Vihara activities. He is also a skillful Dhamma teacher in Sinhala. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ven. Anuruddha from Attanagalla temple in Sri Lanka is another resident monk of the Vihara. He earned his bachelor's degree in Buddhist philosophy from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He came to the Vihara in 1999. Ven. Anuruddha is currently a student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He pursues his M.A. in literature while conducting services, and teaching in children's Dhamma classes at the Vihara. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya - ( Head Temple of Houston Buddhist Vihara) Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the most famous ancient royal temples in Sri Lanka . Attanagalla Royal temples is the primary one amont is nine subordinate temples and is situated in Western PRovince, Sri Lanka, 28 miles northeast of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. It is unique because it is the only ancient temple historically recognized as the place where a Bodhisattva ( a future Buddha ) fulfilled his Dana Paramita (one of the ten perfections to be completed by a Bodhisattva to become a Buddha, an Awakened One). He sacrificed his life by giving his head in gratitude for a favor he received from a poor and ordinary countryman. Known by the name of King Sri Sangabo (247-249 A.D.) he was recognized in the chronicles and other ancient literature of Sri Lanka as the most pious Buddhis king in Sri Lankan history. After King Sri Sangabo, his brother Gothabhaya (249-262 A.D.) became the king of the country and built a Stupa (Pagoda) at te place where his brother, Bodhisattva Sri Sangabo, made the great sacrifice fulfilling a parami. According to the Attanagall Vihara Chronicle, during the reign of Kng Upatissa (365-406 A.D.), one of the monks, having practiced meditation, attained Arahanthship (enlightenment)at this temple. King Upatiss was very pleased to hear this and built a five story monastery which he offered to the Maha Sangah. |
