UK Registered Charity No. 1204856
The Oxford Buddhist Society is pleased to share the publication of Ven. Wadigala Samitharathana’s article, “Scriptural and Religious Reflections on Prayer for Peace: A Buddhist Perspective,” in Pro Dialogo 182 (2026/1), published by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See (Vatican). The article appears in the special issue “World Day of Prayer for…
A Reflection on Mindfulness in Nature A flower opening to the morning sun, a bee resting gently upon a blossom, a bird singing from the branches, or a squirrel passing quietly through the garden these simple moments can become gentle invitations to pause and be mindful. Within the monastery garden, nature offers a quiet space…
20 August 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand A meaningful scholarly collaboration has begun to support the preservation and transmission of two important works from the Sinhala and Pāli literary traditions. Ven. Wadigala Samitharathana (MA, London; MPhil, Oxford), Head Monk of the Oxford Centre of Theravāda Buddhism, United Kingdom, was graciously invited to examine and read two…
24 August 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand A special Dhamma gathering and scholarship presentation ceremony was held at Wat Suthat Thepwararam on 24 August 2026, bringing together senior members of the Buddhist Saṅgha, scholars, and young novice monks in the temple’s historic Ubosot, the principal ordination hall.The ceremony was graciously presided over by Somdet Phra Suthatsana…
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ven. Paññāvaro (Phrakhrusangkhavijai Pandit) for his extraordinary kindness, generosity, and dedicated efforts in helping to make our monastery and garden such a beautiful and welcoming place. Through his care, time, practical skills, and loving attention to every detail, our garden has been transformed into a peaceful…
Oxford, United Kingdom The Oxford Buddhist Society is pleased to share that Ven. Wadigala Samitharathana has been awarded the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Buddhist Studies with Higher Merit from the University of Oxford. His postgraduate research was completed through St Cross College and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University…
It has been a joyful and deeply enriching experience spending precious time with Bhante G (Gunaratana) at the Bhāvana Society of West Virginia, together with visits to other close-knit Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna monasteries in Washington, DC, New York, and Pittsburgh. Undertaking a personal retreat provided a precious opportunity to cultivate compassion and wisdom through…
On the 27th June 2024, under the guidance of Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, members of the Oxford Buddhist Society took part in the Annual Interfaith Friendship Walk, organised by the Oxford Council of Faiths. The walk itself showcased the spirit of unity and solidarity among various faith communities in Oxford. In view of recent global events,…
On the cusp of Vesak (Vesākha) Full-moon Poya Day (23rd of May 2024), yesterday, I was delighted to meet His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Imam Monawar Hussain (MBE, DL, FRSA, MCCT), to discuss the noble mission carried out by the Oxford Buddhist Society; it was a moment of expanding the horizon of our core…
‘This morning, I would be delighted to learn that the University of Oxford has made me an offer of a place on the Master of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies that will start in October 2024. Indeed, it was not an easy journey that nature has brought me along thus far; it was full of craggy,…
Last Saturday afternoon, we shared a precious time of practice at the monastery — cultivating calm, peace, and wisdom through simple acts of mindful care, carried out together as a community. Our first small team who participated in the monastery cleaning offered a beautiful example of how everyday activities, when approached with awareness and kindness,…
