Most Ven Dr.Bokunoruwe Devananda Thero

 

Most Ven Dr.Bokunoruwe Devananda Thero

BhantheBokanoruweDevananda received ordination (December 28 1967) at the age of fourteen and entered higher ordination in July 09, 1973). He completed his secondary education in 1975 and in 1980 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He served as the Principal of Buddhist College from 1980 to 1990 and subsequently worked as a teacher in a Government school for a year. There after he pursued further studies in Buddhism and education. He earned a post graduate diploma in Buddhist studies from the Kelaniya University in 1986 and a post graduate Diploma in Education in 1987 from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. In 1989 he obtained a Master’s degree in Buddhist studies from the Kelaniya University.  There after he pursued graduate  studies in Buddhist social studies abroad and was successful in obtaining a M Phil and a PhD in Buddhist social studies from the University of Delhi, India.  After completing his graduate studies in Delhi, BhantheDevananda engaged in teaching the Dhamma in Singapore, Thaipei, Malaysia and Australia for nearly seven years. Major part of this period was spent in Malaysia as a resident monk at the Buddhist MahaViharaya in Malaysia. He engaged in research on the social philosophy of Buddha as depicted in the Pali cannon that contains the Teachings of the Buddha in its pristine form. Hence he is an authority on Theravada Buddhism. Several publications on selected Sutthas  (especially Sathipatthanasuttha that propounds meditation as discoursed by Buddha), YamakaVagga, Buddhist stories for children and Sinhala grammar were authored by BhantheDevananda. He has published Dhamma articles and reviews in Buddhist News Letters in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and  newspapers in Sri Lanka. He is a scholar proficient in Pali, Sanskrit, classical Sinhala, Hindi and in English. He has produced digital media containing recitals of a few Sutthas, Buddhist hymns and Sinhala songs. His scholastic endeavors and achievements, and the commitment to the religious education of the community is fully recognized by the fact that he was appointed as a Justice of Peace for the Uva province in Sri Lanka.

BhantheDevananda went to the United States in 2007 and became the chief resident monk at the Florida Buddhist Vihara . He was actively engaged in teaching meditation and the Dhamma to devotees visiting the Vihara. He also takes part in Buddhist research activities with university students. Currently he is doing research on ‘Meditation as depicted in the Pali canon’.

He is a founder of the Samaloka International Buddhist Center in Sri Lanka.

Curriculum Vita

Ven.Bokanoruwe Dewananda Thero

(For corresponding) Florida Buddhis Vihara, 2208 Maydell Drive,

Tampa, FL 33619, USA,

001-813-6211337, E-mail: bokanoruwe@gmail.com

(Permanent address) Samaloka International Buddhist Centre 145/2B Godagahawatta Road, Talahena , Malabe Sri – Lanka

Education:     

Ph.D, 1996                              University of Delhi                 Buddhist Social Studies

M.Phil, 1991                           University of Delhi                 Buddhist Studies

M.A, 1988-89                                     University of Kelaniya            Buddhist Studies

Postgraduate Diploma

In Buddhist Studies,

1985-86                                   University of Kelaniya            Buddhist Studies

Postgraduate Diploma

In Education,

1986-87                                   University of Colombo           Education

B.A, 1972-80                          University of Kelaniya            Economics (Honest)

Other Education:

Diploma in Hindi 1992           University of Delhi                 Hindi

Certificate in Hindi, 1991       University of Delhi                 Hindi

Advance Diploma in

Child development

& Nursery, 1989                     Yoshida free nursery

Education                                Child Studies

Diploma in Effective

English, 2000                          International correspondence

Schools in Singapore               English

G.C.E. A/L, 1975                   Department of Examination  Due curriculum

G.C.E. O/L, 1972                   Department of Examination  Due curriculum

Pracina Mdyama, 1971           Department of Examination  Due curriculum

Field of Expertise (Academic):

Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit, Hindi, Theravada Buddhism,

Work Experience:

2005                Teacher                        Dharma Zen Buddhist Center- Taipei in Taiwan       

2001                Dhamma Teacher        Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple - Singapore          

1991                Teacher                        Government High School –Sri Lanka

1990                Teacher                        Government High School–Sri Lanka

1980                Principal                      Buddhist College–Sri Lanka

Seminars and workshops:

2008                Dhamma Teacher                    Florida Buddhist Vihara, USA                                                 

2007                Dhamma Teacher                    Srijayanthi Association, Malaysia

2003-2005       Resident monk                        Buddhist Maha Vihara, Malaysia

2004                Resident monk                        Patipada Buddhist center, Austra                                                                      

1997-2001       Resident monk                        Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple,

                                                                        Singapore

Research:

The social philosophy of the Buddha as Depicted in the Pali Cannon

Publication:

Social Aspects of Early Buddhism (English- 1^st published in 2000)

Satipatthana Sutta (English - 1^st published in 1998)

Bojjhanaga Suuta   (English & Sinhala - 1^st published in 1998)

Mahasamaya Sutta (English -1^st published in 1999)

The Supreme God (Mother) at Home (English -1^st published in 2001)

Bauddhasamaja Darshanaya (Sinhala-1^st published in 2002)

 Sinhala Vyakarana (Sinhala - 1^st published in 1986)

Arthikavidya prashnottara (Sinhala - 1^st published in 1987)

Dhamma Stories for Children (English- 1^st published in 2006)

Yamaka Vagga (English-in printing)

Yamaka Vagga (Sinhala- in printing)

Toward Inner Serenity (English – in printing)

A map of the Journey (Sinhala Translation-I have started this work recently)

Social, Religious & Ethical Values of Metta Sutta (Discourse on Loving-Kindness) It is still not completed)

Articles and interview:

Buddhist Teaching Methods (Wacana 2007 Malaysia)

Buddhist Leadership Characteristics (Wacana 2008 Malaysia)

An interview for (Inaugural Sangha Conference –Malaysia-Singapore –2001)

An interview for (Newsletter of the New Zealand Sri-Lanka Buddhist Trust –2008)

Metta Bhavana for a Healthy Society (Lakbima English-2008)

Environment and child psychology (Lakbima English-2007)

The Law of cause and effects as explained in Buddhism (Lakbima English-2008)

Opening & beginning instructions for meditation (Lakbima English-2010)

Mind concerning meditation (Lakbima English-2010)

Dhammapadaya samata hasthasara vastuvaki (Lakbima English-2010)

Composed CD:

Mahasamaya Sutta (Chanting)

Bojjhangasutta (Chanting)

Jayamangala Gatha & Naraseeha Gatha

Gee Pahansilu (Buddhist hymns)

Oba Mata Viharayak (Sinhala Songs) 

Language Proficiency:

Sinhala – Native Language

English –Reading, writing and speaking proficiency

Pali -       Reading, writing and teaching proficiency

Classical Sanskrit - Reading, writing and teaching proficiency

Membership Affiliations:

WBSY (World Buddhist Sangha Youth}

JP (Justice for peace in Uva Province)

Current Research Projects:

Fundamental Buddhist meditation as depicted in the Pali Cannon

Areas of Interest in Academic Research:

Asian religions, Modern Theravada & Mahayana traditions, Theravada trends in North America, Meditation-oriented alternative religions in America, Buddhist ethics of Non-violence, Buddhist Addiction Psychology, Sainthood in Eastern and Western Religions, Samatha (Concentration) as Heeling-oriented method,

PERSONAL REFERENCES

Prof. Kapila Abhayawansa, Dean, Faculty of Religious Studies, International Buddhist College, Thailand, (0066-872892900)

Dr. Jeffrey Samuels, Associate Professor Western Kentucky University1906 College Heights Blvd., #31086Bowling Green, KY 42101, (001-270-7455748, 270-8434089)

Here is my official information: Christine Walters Adjunct instructor and PhD student

University of Florida 107 Anderson Hall PO Box 117410, Gainesville, FL  32611-7410

Tele: 301-9469-437



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