Bhante Sugathasiri (2019 – Present)
Reverend Balangoda Sugathasiri was born in a beautiful village called Balangoda, Sri Lanka in 1986. After finishing his high school education, he was ordained in 2007, at the age of 19 at Kalapaluwava Gothama ThapoWanaya under the Most Venerable Dodampahala Candasiri. After completing his basic monastic training, he moved to Niligiri Monastery for further practice.
As a result of his training, he decided to spend time with deep meditation practices and he moved to Laggala Forest Monastery in 2011. He spent 5 years there for his own development. Later Bhante moved to another monastery called Weveldeniya, which is in Southern Sri Lanka. Bhante has been fortunate to spend some time in forest monasteries in Malaysia as well.
Bhante is interested in meditation practice, as well as learning early Buddhist teaching from prominent teachers.
The Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association (MBVCA) was fortunate to invite Bhante Sugathasiri to serve its congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba starting in 2019.
Bhante Rathana (2021 – Present)
Reverend Gamapha Rathana was born in beautiful Gampaha, Sri Lanka in 1985. After finishing his high school education, he was ordained in 2006 at the age of 19. After completing his basic monastic training, he lived in deep forests by practicing meditation and learning the Dhamma. He spent more than 5 years alone in mediation cottages which were located in the central province, North Central province, and Sabaragamuwa.
Then he was invited to build a new monastery, Wewadeniya Frost Monastery, by one of his fellow monks. He generously offered his time and knowledge to develop the monastery. In 2018, He moved to his hometown with one of his fellow monks and started a new monastery, Nibbana Arana.
Banthe has decent sutra Knowledge as well as Pali knowledge. He always likes to practice meditation whenever he gets free time. Moreover, He is interested in building cottages, renovating temples, maintaining temple gardens, etc.
Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association (MBVCA) was fortunate to invite Banthe Rathana to serve its congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba starting in 2021.
