UK Registered Charity No. 1204856
What does the Buddha teach us about turning our good intentions into meaningful action?In today’s short Dhamma reflection, we explore the *Four Iddhipāda*—the four foundations of spiritual accomplishment: *Chanda* (wholesome aspiration), *Viriya* (wise effort), *Citta* (focused mind), and *Vīmaṃsā* (wise investigation). Drawing from the Buddha’s teaching in the *Iddhipāda-vibhaṅga Sutta* (SN 51.20), we reflect on…
The Rains Retreat (Vassa) is a sacred three-month period in the Buddhist tradition dedicated to spiritual renewal, deep meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. In this talk, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana reflects on how this ancient practice offers an opportunity to pause, examine our lives, and renew our commitment to mindfulness, ethical living, and…
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…
With deep gratitude and humility, I am honoured to have received the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Buddhist Studies with Higher Merit from the University of Oxford. My thesis, ‘Epistemology of Exegesis: A Critical Study of the Saddhammappakāsinī through the Lens of Pāli Hermeneutics’, was completed at St Cross College, Oxford and The…
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…
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us for our Vesak Full-Moon Day Programme on 30th May. Together, we commemorated the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha through a day of learning, meditation, reflection, and community. The programme featured inspiring talks by scholars from the University of Oxford, a workshop on…
“The more we let go, the more we discover the freedom that has always been present.” We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended our third Mindfulness Meditation Session of 2026, “The Art of Letting Go: From Mindfulness to Freedom.” Held at our monastery, this special session offered an opportunity to pause, reflect, and…
With hearts full of gratitude, we joyfully welcomed the beginning of this year’s Rains Retreat (Vassa) at the Oxford Centre of Theravāda Buddhism.It was a wonderful evening of offering, reflection, meditation, and fellowship as we gathered on the dawn of Āsāḷha Full-Moon Day to invite the monastic Saṅgha to undertake the three-month Rains Retreat.We are…
Reverend Samitharathana’s path from his ordination in Sri Lanka to his current studies at Oxford is the result of years of disciplined scholarship and monastic dedication. Since becoming a Theravada monk in 2009, he immersed himself in Buddhist doctrine and the classical languages that support its study, including Sinhala, Pali, and Sanskrit. His early academic…
Today, under the theme “Inner Peace, Global Peace: Buddha’s Wisdom in a World in Crisis,” we gathered for a day dedicated to the Dhamma, bringing together reflection, learning, and practice in honour of the Buddha’s life and teachings. Through inspiring Dhamma discussions, meditation, scholarly insights, and meaningful dialogues, participants explored the timeless relevance of the…
Today, we gathered for our first Vesak Meditation Retreat 2026 (Buddha Year 2570) in honour of the Buddha Gotama. As the beginning of our “Inner Peace, Global Peace” series, this retreat offered a meaningful space for stillness, reflection, and reconnection with the Buddha’s path.Through guided meditation, Dhamma reflection, discussion, and mindful practice, participants cultivated inner…
“Meditation is always within you, but not without you.” – Rev. Wadigala Samitharathana We are grateful to everyone who joined our second Mindfulness Meditation Retreat – “Continuing the Path: Deepening Mindfulness in Daily Life”. Held on the auspicious Madin Full-Moon Day, this retreat offered a valuable opportunity to deepen mindfulness through sustained attention, wise reflection,…
