Rev Wadigala Samitharathana
Founding President & Managing Trustee of the Oxford Buddhist Society
MPhil Candidate (Glorisun Scholar) at St Cross College, University of Oxford
Rev Wadigala Samitharathana is the Founding President and Managing Trustee of the Oxford Buddhist Society. A dedicated Theravāda Buddhist monk, Dhamma teacher, and scholar, he has devoted his life to the study, practice, and sharing of the Buddha’s teachings for the benefit of society. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in 2009 and received Higher Ordination (Upasampadā) in 2018, honourably recognised with the title Śāsana Kīrti Śrī, acknowledging his commitment to the preservation and promotion of the Buddha Śāsana.
From the early years of his monastic life, Venerable Samitharathana engaged deeply in the traditional monastic education system, studying Buddhist scriptures and classical literature preserved in Pāli, Sanskrit, Prākrit, and Sinhalese.
His studies included the Tipiṭaka, Buddhist philosophy, and related traditions such as Indology, Hindu philosophy, and Vedic literature, providing him with a broad understanding of South Asian intellectual traditions. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, he was awarded the title of Royal Pandit in 2017. He later pursued BA (Hons) in Philosophy at the University of Peradeniya, followed by further academic studies at Oxford Brookes University. His undergraduate research explored the relationship between Western and Buddhist philosophy through his thesis:
“Aristotle and Buddhism: A Comparative Study between the Aristotelian Doctrine of Eudaimonia and the Buddhist Perspective of Nibbāna.”
Continuing his academic journey, he was offered admission to pursue an MA in Buddhist Studies at SOAS, University of London, one of the leading institutions for the study of Asian religions and cultures. Alongside his academic work, Venerable Samitharathana has actively contributed to international Buddhist scholarship. He has presented research papers and participated in conferences and academic forums in cities including London, Oxford, New York, Berlin, Paris, Zurich, and Colombo, delivering presentations in English, Sinhalese, Pāli, and Sanskrit.
He has also published scholarly articles addressing Buddhist philosophy, comparative religion, and philosophical dialogue between Eastern and Western traditions in academic journals across Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe.
Beyond academic engagement, Venerable Samitharathana regularly conducts Dhamma talks, meditation retreats, mindfulness programs, and community events in different parts of the world. His teachings aim to make the wisdom of the Buddha accessible and relevant to contemporary society, encouraging the cultivation of mindfulness, compassion, ethical living, and inner peace. As the founder and spiritual guide of the Oxford Buddhist Society, he continues to support the growth of a welcoming Buddhist community dedicated to the study and practice of the Buddha Dhamma, meditation, and compassionate service.
Inspired by the Buddha’s timeless teachings of wisdom (paññā), moral discipline (sīla), and mental cultivation (samādhi), his work seeks to promote harmony, understanding, and spiritual well-being for the benefit of all beings.