Georgia Buddhist Vihara
The Georgia Buddhist Vihara was officially opened on June 6, 2000. The property for the Vihara was graciously donated in March 2000 by Mrs. Shani Wijay in loving memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shelton P. Jayasinghe.
Since its establishment, the Vihara has served as a spiritual home for Buddhists and friends of Buddhism in Georgia and neighboring states who long desired a center for worship, learning, and practice. We warmly welcome everyone to join our programs and share in our activities dedicated to peace, compassion, and understanding.
Our Goal
The Georgia Buddhist Vihara strives to:
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Guide individuals—young and old—along the Noble Path shown by the Buddha.
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Educate children and adults in the spiritual and cultural values of Sri Lanka and other Buddhist traditions.
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Encourage the practice of the Threefold Training:
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Dāna (Generosity)
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Sīla (Morality)
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Bhāvanā (Meditation)
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Promote understanding, mindfulness, and compassion in daily life.
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Welcome anyone who wishes to hear, learn about, or practice Buddhism.
Regular Activities
Our regular activities at the Vihara include:
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Daily chanting, pūjā, and meditation
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Weekly Vipassanā (Insight) Meditation sessions
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Dhamma School for children and youth
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Poya (Uposatha) Full Moon Observances
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Dhamma discussions and study groups
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Meditation retreats throughout the year
These programs are open to everyone interested in deepening their understanding and practice of the Buddha’s teachings.
Contributions
The Georgia Buddhist Vihara is sustained through the generous donations of devotees and friends. Your kind support helps maintain the temple, support the resident monks, and continue our religious and community activities.
If you wish to contribute, you may:
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Write a check payable to Georgia Buddhist Vihara or GBV.
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Make a cash donation — please write your name and address on an envelope and place it in the donation box at the Vihara.
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Send your donation via Zelle to: gbvihara@gmail.com
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Donate online through PayPal by clicking the “Make a Donation” button on our website. Please be aware that PayPal charges a 3% commission.
Your generosity is deeply appreciated. May your act of giving bring peace, happiness, and blessings to you and your loved ones.
The Practice of Dāna (Generosity)
Dāna, in its simplest meaning, is “generosity.”
At the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, we uphold the spirit of dāna by offering the Dhamma freely, without a price tag.
You can practice dāna by offering:
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Monetary donations
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Your time
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Your skills and labor
Every act of generosity helps us continue sharing the teachings of the Buddha and nurturing a compassionate community.
Resident Monks
The Most Venerable Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thero, Abbot of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, Chief Monk (Sangha Nayaka) of the Judicial in North America.
Venerable
Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thera
Abbot, Georgia Buddhist Vihara
Chief Sangha Nayaka (Judicial), North America (Photo)
Personal Profile:
Venerable Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thera was born in the Matara District of Sri
Lanka. He entered the monastic order as a novice monk in 1980 at the
Dharmaduthashrama Vidyalaya, (college) Colombo 09, under the guidance of the
late Venerable Dr. Parawahera Pangnananda Nayaka Maha Thera. His higher
ordination (Upasampadā) was conducted at the Malwathu Maha Vihara, Kandy, Sri
Lanka, in 1987.
Education:
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Monastic
Education: Dharmaduthashrama Vidyalaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
· Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) “Thripitakavedi” Degree: Bhikkhu University of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
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Diploma in Language Skills:
Interactive College of Technology, Atlanta, USA
International Experience:
Venerable Wajirabuddhi spent nearly ten months in Thailand, residing at Wat
Sraket, where he studied and practiced Buddhist teachings within the Thai
monastic tradition. In 1994, he traveled to the United States and lived with
the Cambodian Buddhist community in Los Angeles, where he learned the Cambodian
language and culture.
Service and Leadership:
In 1999, Venerable Wajirabuddhi relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. In June 2000, he
founded the Georgia Buddhist Vihara,
serving as its founding abbot. Since then, he has dedicated himself to
promoting Buddhist education, meditation practice, and cultural understanding
among diverse communities in the United States.
He is the Dhamma teacher of the Emory
Buddhist Club at Emory University in Atlanta, USA.
He is the founder and president of the Siv Vanak Arana Ayurvedic Healing
Center in Sri Lanka.
He was appointed by the Malwathu Chapter as the Chief Sangha
Nayaka (Judicial) of North America in 2024.
Bhante Panamwela Wajirabodhi
Venerable Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thera
Deputy Abbot, Georgia Buddhist Vihara, Inc.
Venerable Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thera was born in Panamwela, a village in the Matara District of Sri Lanka. He was ordained as a Samanera (novice monk) in 1980 at the Padhanagara Maha Vihara, Dharmadutashrama College, Colombo 09, under the guidance of the late Ven. Dr. P. Pangnananda Nayaka Thera, Ven. Wehelle Attadassi Dhammapala Nayaka Thera, and the late Ven. Matara Sumangala Thera.
He received his higher ordination (Upasampada) at the Malwatu Maha Viharaya in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1989. Venerable Wajirabuddhi Thera completed his monastic education at the Dharmadutashrama College and earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of Kelaniya. He subsequently obtained his Master’s degree from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.
In his pursuit of a deeper understanding of Buddhist practice and culture, Venerable Wajirabodhi Thera also traveled to Thailand for a period of study and cultural exchange. He arrived at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara on January 28, 2004, where he continues to serve as a devoted scholar monk and spiritual teacher, dedicated to the propagation of the Dhamma in the United States.