Kinoli de Silva speaks to a Buddhist monk Reverend Samitharathana about the philosophy of life, his learning experiences, and having an open heart.

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 achievements, such as winning the National First Prize in the 2013 Buddhist Religious Final Examination and earning the distinguished title of Royal Pandita in 2016, reflected both his intellectual promise and his commitment to Buddhist learning. These foundations eventually led him to the University of Peradeniya, where he deepened his study of philosophy and canonical Buddhist texts. His academic journey soon expanded beyond Sri Lanka. Recognised for his accomplishments, he received the Outstanding Young Buddhist Scholar Award from the International Buddhist College in Thailand.

Reverend Samitharathana shared a quote he learnt from his studies in Indian philosophy: “there is one truth in the world, but it’s expressed in different ways by different people”. He spoke with such deliberateness. There was no rush to his answers, no sense of performance – only a careful attention to what was being said. The quality of his presence amplified the conversation about his academic journey, his spiritual outlook, and, perhaps most powerfully, how the two intersect.

Read the full article here: https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2026/06/13/an-interview-with-reverend-samitharathana/https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2026/06/13/an-interview-with-reverend-samitharathana/