Spiritual Biography
Gnanananda Thero was born to the Roman Catholic family, parented by Cristy Kabraal and Violet Perera. The circumstances that followed his birth were 'miraculous', as the whole family became Buddhists just 6 months after his birth, going so far as to give up their main source of income: 'animal husbandry for meat' (a livelihood advised against by the Buddha). Opportunity for Buddhist education was therefore available to him from childhood.
Ordained on March 26th, 1979 (i.e. at age 17) under Ven. Dambagasare Shri Sumedhankara Thero and Ven. 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 in a university, he quit and started visiting meditation centers and hermitages.
Having practiced and preached Dhamma for years, he founded Mahamevnawa in 1999 under the guidance of Ven. Kotapola Amarakitti Thero, in Waduwava, Polgahawela. Mahamevnawa is currently spreading steadily under his guidance (It has around 40 branch monasteries for meditation throughout Sri Lanka, and overseas: Canada, USA, Australia ), UK, and Germany .
Read more about this topic: Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
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