Dhamma USA

06/18/2026

🌸 Vesak Unites Us | A Celebration of Peace Across Traditions

It was a great honor to celebrate Vesak at the Westminster Vietnamese Temple, joining a beautiful gathering of the Buddhist community dedicated to world peace, compassion, and harmony.

This memorable moment was shared with the Deputy Mayor of Westminster, Venerable Bogolle Sumana Thero, Abbot of Sri Ratana International Buddhist Center (Anaheim), and Venerable Medhankara Thero of Anaheim Temple. Together, we celebrated the timeless message of the Buddha that transcends cultures, languages, and national boundaries.

May the light of Vesak continue to inspire wisdom, loving-kindness, and peace throughout the world.

🙏 Happy Vesak! May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

06/16/2026

🌿 PĀLI 101 – Learning the Language of the Buddha 📖

Join us for Lesson 18 of our PĀLI 101 – Pāli for Beginners series as we practice translating English sentences into Pāli through guided exercises.

Learning Pāli opens a direct doorway to the Buddha’s teachings, helping us understand the Tipiṭaka and Buddhist wisdom in its original language. Whether you are a beginner, a monk, a nun, or a lifelong learner, every lesson brings you one step closer to the Dhamma.

📚 Free Online Pāli Classes with Bhante Nivitigala Sumitta
🌎 Students from around the world learning together through Dhamma USA

🙏 May the study of Pāli inspire wisdom, mindfulness, and deeper understanding.
***Check the first comment for the complete video.***

06/15/2026

✨ Vesak Splendor in Sri Lanka | Lights of the Buddha’s Wisdom

Sri Lanka’s Vesak decorations are truly unique and unparalleled—splendid masterpieces of art, devotion, creativity, and faith.

From colorful lanterns and glowing streets to breathtaking Vesak pandols depicting the life of the Buddha, these beautiful decorations reflect the deep love, gratitude, and reverence of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community.

Each light, painting, and artistic creation reminds us of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away—and invites us to illuminate our own hearts with wisdom, compassion, and peace.

May the light of Vesak shine within all beings. 🌕🪔🙏

06/13/2026

Exploring Chicago | A Journey Through the Windy City

🏙️ Join Bhante Sumitta on an inspiring journey through the vibrant city of Chicago—one of America’s most iconic cultural and architectural treasures.

From the stunning skyline and historic landmarks to beautiful parks, world-renowned museums, prestigious universities, and diverse spiritual communities, this tour offers a glimpse into the rich history, culture, and energy of the Windy City.

Along the way, we visit remarkable places including downtown Chicago, the shores of Lake Michigan, the University of Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, beautiful Buddhist and Hindu temples, and other sites that reflect the city’s unique blend of tradition, innovation, and multicultural harmony.

As we explore this great American city, we are reminded that wisdom can be found everywhere—in art, architecture, nature, culture, and the meaningful connections we share with one another.

🌎 Discover Chicago.
🙏 Reflect on life.
✨ Find inspiration in every journey.

Presented by Dhamma USA.

06/12/2026

🧡 Honoring Wisdom, Compassion & Service 🧡

A privilege to attend this special ceremony at Wat Thai Los Angeles celebrating the 84th birthday of Most Venerable Phra Dhammamongkolvites (Amornwut Amaro) and his prestigious royal ecclesiastical appointment.

Together with Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Maha Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the United States, we joined monks and devotees in expressing gratitude for a lifetime of leadership, compassion, and dedication to the Buddha Sāsana.

May his noble service continue to inspire generations to come. 🙏☸️

06/11/2026

50 Years of Dhamma Service in the USA by two phenomenal Buddhist monks

https://dharmavijaya.org/upahara/index.php

06/10/2026

Celebrating a Buddhist Leader at Wat Thai LA

🙏 Join us at Wat Thai Los Angeles for a special celebration honoring Most Venerable Phra Dhammamongkolvites (Amornwut Amaro) on his 84th auspicious birthday and the conferral of a prestigious royal ecclesiastical title bestowed by His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand.

Together with Most Venerable Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Maha Thero, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the United States, we participated in this inspiring gathering of monks, nuns, and lay devotees from across America. The ceremony featured traditional almsgiving, chanting, blessings, merit-making, and expressions of gratitude for decades of dedicated service to the Buddha Sāsana and the Thai Buddhist community.

This beautiful event reflected the timeless values of generosity, respect, spiritual friendship, and devotion that continue to sustain and strengthen Buddhism around the world.

May the merits of this wholesome occasion contribute to the flourishing of the Dhamma, the well-being of the Sangha, and the peace and happiness of all beings. ☸️🙏

06/10/2026

🌿 Does Honesty Lighten the Heart? | A Question for Deep Reflection

What happens when we live with greater honesty and authenticity—not just with others, but with ourselves?

After a week of speaking truthfully, acting sincerely, and letting go of pretenses, does life feel lighter or heavier? The answer may reveal something profound about the burdens we carry and the freedom that comes from living in harmony with our values.

In the Buddha’s teaching, truthfulness (sacca) is more than avoiding lies—it is a path to inner peace, clarity, and liberation. When our words, actions, and intentions align, the mind becomes less conflicted and more at ease.

✨ Take a moment to reflect:
Has greater honesty brought you peace, discomfort, freedom, or insight? What might that feeling be teaching you?

Share your thoughts in the comments. Your reflection may inspire someone else on their journey.

06/09/2026

Magnificent BAPS Swaminarayan Temple of Chicago.

🙏Magnificent BAPS Swaminarayan Temple of Chicago. Art, Architecture & Spiritual Devotion

🏛️ Join us on an inspiring visit to the magnificent BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chicago, one of the most remarkable Hindu temples in the United States.

During our visit, I was accompanied by my wonderful friends and fellow monastics: Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero from Gangaramaya Temple, Sri Lanka, Venerable Sorata Thero, and Venerable Nandissara Thero of Chicago Buddhist Vihara.

This breathtaking temple stands as a masterpiece of sacred art, architecture, craftsmanship, and devotion. Hand-carved from exquisite marble and limestone, every pillar, dome, and sculpture reflects extraordinary attention to detail and the dedication of thousands of volunteers inspired by the vision of the late Hindu spiritual leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the BAPS Swaminarayan tradition.

Beyond its architectural beauty, the temple serves as a vibrant spiritual and cultural center, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds while preserving timeless values of faith, compassion, service, and community.

As Buddhists, we deeply appreciate the opportunity to visit and learn from other spiritual traditions. This visit was a beautiful reminder that while our paths may differ, the universal values of peace, kindness, wisdom, and harmony unite humanity.

✨ Art inspires.
🙏 Devotion uplifts.
🌎 Understanding builds bridges.

Thank you for joining us on this memorable journey through one of America’s most extraordinary places of worship.

— Bhante Sumitta
Dhamma USA

06/08/2026

🧡 Honoring a Lifetime of Service to the Buddha Sāsana 🧡

I was honored to attend this grand merit-making and felicitation ceremony at Wat Thai Los Angeles together with Most Venerable Aggamaha Pandita Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Maha Thero, the Chief Sangha Nayaka of the United States and Abbot of Dharmavijaya Buddhist Vihara, Los Angeles.

The occasion celebrated the 84th auspicious birthday of Most Venerable Phra Dhammamongkolvites (Amornwut Amaro) and the conferral of a prestigious royal ecclesiastical title bestowed by His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to Buddhism and the Thai Buddhist community.

The ceremony brought together a large assembly of monks, nuns, and lay devotees from across the United States in a beautiful expression of gratitude, respect, generosity, and spiritual fellowship. Traditional alms-giving, chanting, blessings, and merit-making activities highlighted the timeless bond between the Sangha and the lay community.

It was also inspiring to witness the recognition of distinguished monastics and devoted lay supporters whose efforts continue to strengthen and preserve the Buddha Sāsana for future generations.

May the merits of this wholesome gathering contribute to the flourishing of the Dhamma, the well-being of the Sangha, and the happiness and peace of all beings. 🙏☸️