Faculty Profile: Venerable Panamwela Thero

Ven. P. Wajirabuddhi was born in Sri Lanka in the Matara District. He was ordained as a novice monk in 1980 at the Dharmaduthashrama Vidyala, Colombo 09, under the guidance of late Venerable Dr. Parawahera Pangnananda Nayaka Maha Thera. His higher ordination took place at Malwathu Maha Vihara, Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1987. He completed his monastic education at Dharmaduthashrama College, and did his higher education at, Bhikkhu University Anuradhapura, and obtained (BA) “Thripitakavedi” degree. His MA was completed in Pali and Buddhist University Colombo, Sri Lanka  He completed his language skill Diploma at Interactive college and technology, Atlanta USA. He stayed in Thailand for nearly 10 months, at Wat Srakete. Then, in 1994, he came to the United States of America and stayed with the Cambodian community in Los Angeles. He learned Cambodian culture and language. In 1999, Ven. P. Wajirabuddhi moved to Atlanta, Georgia and in June 2000 established the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, a Theravada Buddhist Temple and Vipassana Meditation Center.