Dhamma Sermons by Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero (MP3 Download)

Venerable
Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero

Gnanananda Thero was born to a Roman Catholic family, parented by Cristy Kabraal and Violet Perera. Soon after his birth whole his family became Buddhists , going so far as to give up their main source of income: which was 'raising animals for meat'.

He was ordained on March 26th, 1979  at  the age of 17, under Venerable  Dambagasare Shri Sumedhankara Thero and Venerable  Dikwelle Pannananda Thero at Seruwavila. He received a traditional Buddhist academic education and entered the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Having understood the inability to achieve what he wanted through an university education system, he left it and started visiting meditation centres and hermitages.

In 1999, he founded Mahamevnawa  under the guidance of Venerable  Kotapola Amarakitti Thero, in Waduwava, Polgahawela. Mahamevnawa now has around 40 branch monasteries throughout Sri Lanka, and overseas including Canada , USA , Australia , UK , and Germany .
(2011 , Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero , Wikimedia Foundation, Inc)

I understood the real Dhamma as taught by the Buddha and used my creativity to propagate it. I talked to the seekers with empathy. I showed them the delusions. I convinced them of their wrongful attachments and devotions to the astrology, auspicious times, and the likes which consume their energy. I used simple Sinhalese to explain the Dhamma. I made it clear that it is the Four Noble Truths that is essential to the realisation of the Buddha Dhamma.

The Mahamevna that I started in August 14th, 1999 blossomed into a huge tree with numerous strong branches within a seven year period. It is a common thing to be the target of criticism and slanders when one becomes a popular figure. I was the target for endless criticism from Sri Lankan monks. It is difficult to develop Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Most Buddhists in Sri Lanka are filled with empty pride. They are plagued with many obstacles, preventing them from reaching a sound understanding of the Dhamma.

After 1505 Catholicism started spreading. Before that all the Sinhalese were Buddhists. There was no foundation for Catholicism in Sri Lanka; it is not surprising for a born Catholic like myself to become a Buddhist. Missionary invasion to Asia forced people to convert to Christianity. It is happening today too.

Dambadiva (India) is the land of the Buddhas and Buddhist saints. The environment in Dambadiva has not changed from the great times. I see it as an ideal place for a lay person to attain his goals amidst many hardships. Bodhisatvas are born from time to time in Dambadiva. I see Dr. Ambedkar, a Buddhist leader from the recent past, as a future Buddha. Anagarika Dharmapala also had Bodhisatva qualities.

Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero 

(2007, Samarasingha S , Only four people attended my first sermon, Daily News)

Usual specifics:
Author: Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
Genre: Buddhist Dharma Sermons
Language: Sinhala/Pali
Credits:  Files were  downloaded from www.mahamevnawa.org and Mahamevnawa official site during the period of 2008 - 2011 . 
Uploaded By: Tiraj Adikari
Copyright:   If applicable is held by Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero and/or The Mahamevnawa and its associated Buddhist monasteries in Polgahawela, Sri Lanka


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