Witiyala Seewalie Thera
Encyclopedia
Witiyala Seewalie Thera (Sinhala:පූජ්ය විටියල සීවලී නාහිමි) is the founder and chief incumbent priest of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara. Currently, he is serving the Buddhist spiritual needs for people in six midwestern states-Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.
. He received upasampada
(higher ordination), when he was 20 in Malwatta Maha Vihara, Kandy
.
He received his higher education at Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena, Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka. He obtained the degree of Royal Pundit from Oriental Studies Society of Sri Lanka, B.A. honors degree from University of Kelaniya, M.A. degree from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Doctor of Literature degree from Vidyalankara College, Kelaniya, Diploma in Pali Language & Buddhism from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, and Diploma in Bible Studies from Bible Society of Kandy.
In June 2009, he received Basic Emergency Service Chaplaincy Diploma from Minnesota Emergency Service Chaplain Association.
He serves as a volunteer chaplain on the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota. He is an advisor of Sri Lankan Student Association at University of Minnesota. He was a board director on the McKinley Neighborhood Committee and a volunteer teacher at City View School. He has also participated in a religious symposium to discuss Buddhist Meditation
at Bethel University.He is a Notary public
commissioner in the state of Minnesota.
Venerable Seewalie also conducts monthly Buddhist talk and meditation sessions for inmates at South Dakota State Penitentiary
, Sioux Falls.
His mission is to share the Buddha's message of peace and happiness and help create peace and harmony among people in the world.
Mahinda Rajapakse, president of Sri Lanka, invited Venerable Seewalie to president’s official residence “Temple Trees” to honor and recognize monk's new position.
Early life & Education
Seewalie Thera was born in Witiyala, Sri Lanka. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of 12, and received his education at Migadaya Pirivena,(a monk's school) in MataraMatara
Matara can refer to:* Matara, Eritrea* Matara, Sri Lanka* Matará, Cangallo Province, Peru...
. He received upasampada
Upasampada
Upasampadā literally means "approaching or nearing the ascetic tradition." In more common parlance it specifically refers to the rite of ordination by which one undertakes the Buddhist monastic life....
(higher ordination), when he was 20 in Malwatta Maha Vihara, Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
.
He received his higher education at Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena, Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka. He obtained the degree of Royal Pundit from Oriental Studies Society of Sri Lanka, B.A. honors degree from University of Kelaniya, M.A. degree from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Doctor of Literature degree from Vidyalankara College, Kelaniya, Diploma in Pali Language & Buddhism from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, and Diploma in Bible Studies from Bible Society of Kandy.
In June 2009, he received Basic Emergency Service Chaplaincy Diploma from Minnesota Emergency Service Chaplain Association.
Service
Formerly he was the Principal of Parama Dhamma Chetiya Pirivena, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.He serves as a volunteer chaplain on the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota. He is an advisor of Sri Lankan Student Association at University of Minnesota. He was a board director on the McKinley Neighborhood Committee and a volunteer teacher at City View School. He has also participated in a religious symposium to discuss Buddhist Meditation
Buddhist meditation
Buddhist meditation refers to the meditative practices associated with the religion and philosophy of Buddhism.Core meditation techniques have been preserved in ancient Buddhist texts and have proliferated and diversified through teacher-student transmissions. Buddhists pursue meditation as part of...
at Bethel University.He is a Notary public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
commissioner in the state of Minnesota.
Venerable Seewalie also conducts monthly Buddhist talk and meditation sessions for inmates at South Dakota State Penitentiary
South Dakota State Penitentiary
The South Dakota State Penitentiary is a state prison located in South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls, and holds the state's most deadly and dangerous criminals, as well as sex offenders. It was built in 1881. The building's industry shop makes several things for the state, including woodwork...
, Sioux Falls.
His mission is to share the Buddha's message of peace and happiness and help create peace and harmony among people in the world.
Receives Honorary Title
On June 17, 2011, Malwatta Chapter of Siam Sect appointed him as the Deputy Chief monk (Sangha Nayaka) of North America with the title “Dharmakeerthi Sri Pragnarama” for his services to disseminate the teachings of the Buddha (Buddha Dhamma) in Minnesota and surrounding states.Mahinda Rajapakse, president of Sri Lanka, invited Venerable Seewalie to president’s official residence “Temple Trees” to honor and recognize monk's new position.
External links
- Lankaweb - Malwatta Chapter awards Venerable Seewalie post of Deputy Chief Sangha Nayaka
- Infant blessing at Buddhist temple
- Buddhist leader delivers message of peace
- MINNESOTA BUDDHIST VIHARA- ORGANIZES NEW YEAR FEST FOR SIXTH SUCESSIVE YEAR
- Minnesota Buddhist Vihara organizes Vesak celebration
- Minnesota Buddhist Vihara prepares to usher in Aluth Avurudda
- Sri Lankan President says opening of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara a remarkable event
Related Links
- Minnesota Buddhist Vihara
- North Dakota Buddhist Vihara
- Iowa Buddhist Buddhist Vihara
- South Dakota Buddhist Vihara
- Wisconsin Buddhist Vihara
- Nebraska Buddhist Vihara
- Sri Matikarama Purana Maha Viharaya