Dhamma USA

09/08/2026

🙏 Sangha in Harmony — A Beautiful Lunch Dāna During the Golden Jubilee Celebration

A beautiful moment from the three-day Golden Jubilee celebration honoring 50 years of Dhamma service in the United States by Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero and Most Venerable Dr. Madawala Seelawimala Nayaka Thero.

As part of this historic gathering, the Maha Sangha came together for the lunch dāna, lovingly offered by devoted lay supporters. The sight of so many monks gathered together, receiving the offering in harmony, made this a particularly meaningful and inspiring occasion.

These simple moments of dāna, saddhā, gratitude, and Sangha unity beautifully reflect the living tradition of the Buddha Sāsana that our respected Nayaka Theros have worked tirelessly to strengthen in America over the past fifty years.

May the merits of this offering be shared with all. 🙏

Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!

09/08/2026

The Role of the Sangha
Dhamma USA

09/07/2026

🙏 Memorable Encounters, Lifelong Friendships & the Blessings of the Maha Sangha

Some cherished moments with dear friends, respected senior monks, and fellow members of the Maha Sangha during the historic three-day celebration honoring 50 years of Dhamma service in the United States by Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero and Most Venerable Dr. Madawala Seelawimala Nayaka Thero.

Held at the University of the West in Rosemead, California, this special gathering brought together monks from across the United States, Sri Lanka, and beyond.

Beyond the formal ceremonies, one of the greatest joys for me was simply meeting old friends again, reconnecting with respected senior monks, sharing memories, and spending time together in the spirit of Dhamma and Sangha fellowship.

These are some of those memorable faces and moments from a truly historic gathering. 🙏

May these friendships within the Maha Sangha continue to strengthen our unity and our shared service to the Buddha Sasana in America.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

09/07/2026

🌟 A Historic Gathering of the Maha Sangha — Celebrating 50 Years of Dhamma Service in America 🇺🇸🙏

A few memorable snapshots from a truly historic three-day gathering celebrating 50 years of dedicated Dhamma service in the United States by Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero and Most Venerable Dr. Madawala Seelawimala Nayaka Thero.

What made these three days especially meaningful was the remarkable gathering of the Maha Sangha from across the United States and Sri Lanka. Monks representing different generations and communities came together with one common spirit — gratitude and respect for the extraordinary service of our two respected Nayaka Theros.

For fifty years, their pioneering work has helped establish and strengthen the Buddha Sasana in America, serve generations of Sri Lankan Buddhists, build bridges with other Buddhist communities, and carry the Dhamma beyond cultural and national boundaries.

These days were also about the future. The gathering provided an important opportunity for the Maha Sangha to strengthen friendship, unity, and cooperation, and to reflect together on how we can carry the Buddha Dhamma forward for the next fifty years and beyond.

Another memorable milestone was the election of new office bearers of the North America Sangha Council, giving this historic occasion an even deeper sense of continuity and shared responsibility.

And for me personally, there was another special joy — this historic gathering took place at the University of the West in Rosemead, California, my own university. Seeing so many members of the Maha Sangha gathered here for such a meaningful occasion brought me great happiness and gratitude.

May the noble service of our respected Nayaka Theros continue to inspire generations of monks and lay devotees.

May the Buddha Sasana continue to flourish throughout America. 🙏

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

09/06/2026

🙏 A Historic Celebration Begins | 50 Years of Dhamma Service in the USA 🇺🇸🇱🇰

The ceremonial preparations are underway at Dharmavijaya Buddhist Vihara, Los Angeles, as a large gathering of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks from across the United States, together with members of the Mahā Saṅgha arriving from other countries, comes together for a very special and historic occasion.

The gathering marks the beginning of celebrations honoring 50 years of dedicated Dhamma service in the United States by Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero and Venerable Dr. Madawala Seelawimala Thero.

These first moments—the arrival of the Mahā Saṅgha, warm reunions, preparations, and the spirit of fellowship—beautifully set the stage for the ceremonies ahead.

It is heartwarming to witness so many members of the Saṅgha gathering in one place in a spirit of unity, gratitude, and reverence for five decades of service to the Buddha Sāsana in America.

🙏 We look forward to sharing more moments from this memorable celebration in the coming posts.

Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!

09/01/2026

🙏 Our First Visit to Wajiradhammadipa Temple, Long Island, New York

It was a joy and a blessing to visit Wajiradhammadipa Temple in Long Island, New York, and spend some meaningful time with the abbot and the resident monk. Their warm welcome and kind hospitality made our visit a truly memorable experience.

Joining the visit were Ayya Sobhana and Sāmaṇerī Kedarasacca from Empty Cloud Monastery, New Jersey. It was wonderful to share this occasion together in the spirit of Dhamma and Saṅgha friendship.

Wajiradhammadipa Temple is a beautiful Buddhist sanctuary—peacefully situated, spacious, exceptionally well maintained, and thoughtfully built to support Dhamma practice and community life. The serene and orderly surroundings immediately create a sense of calm and tranquility.

We were very happy to have the opportunity to visit, connect with fellow monastics, and strengthen the bonds of kalyāṇa-mittatā—spiritual friendship within the Buddhist community. 🙏

May Wajiradhammadipa Temple continue to flourish as a place of Dhamma, meditation, spiritual friendship, and service to the community for many years to come.

Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu! 🙏🌿

08/31/2026

Complete Guide to the Pali Tipitaka:
https://www.dhammausa.com/2026/08/the-pali-canon-explained-complete-guide.html

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08/30/2026

The Wheel of Saṃsāra in Art | A Powerful Reminder of the Buddha’s Teaching 🔄

An extraordinary work of Buddhist-inspired art at the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in New York—beautiful in its craftsmanship, yet profound in its message.

The sculpture vividly evokes the endless cycle of saṃsāra: beings moving through different forms of existence, caught within the continuing process of birth, aging, death, and renewed becoming. The intricate figures and scenes invite us to look beyond the beauty of the artwork and contemplate the deeper reality of conditioned existence.

Around its base appears a powerful reminder:

“When there is this, that comes to be. With the arising of this, that arises. When there is not this, that ceases…”

These words point directly toward the Buddha’s teaching of Paṭiccasamuppāda — Dependent Origination. Nothing arises independently. Our experiences emerge through causes and conditions; when those conditions cease, their results also cease.

The Dhamma, therefore, does not merely explain how the wheel keeps turning—it shows us how to become free from it.

A remarkable meeting of art, Buddhist philosophy, and contemplative wisdom, inviting us to pause and reflect:

What keeps the wheel of saṃsāra turning—and what must cease for true freedom to arise? 🙏☸️

📍 Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center, New York

08/28/2026

Today our dearest dear family is here early morning

08/28/2026

🙏 A Beautiful Day of Saṅgha Friendship in Long Island, New York

Today was a wonderful opportunity to visit the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in New York, together with Ayya Sobhana and fellow resident monastic practitioners, and to spend time with Bhante Nanda, the Abbot of the Center.

Such visits are more than simply meeting one another. They strengthen the bonds of Saṅgha friendship, mutual respect, and our shared commitment to preserving and practicing the Buddha’s teachings. It was a joy to experience the peaceful atmosphere of the center, exchange Dhamma reflections, and connect with fellow practitioners walking the Noble Path.

May this beautiful spiritual friendship continue to grow, bringing the light of the Dhamma to many lives and supporting the flourishing of the Buddha Sāsana in the United States. 🙏🌿

Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā — May all beings be well and happy.