BHANTE B. SRI SARANANKARA NAYAKA MAHA THERO
Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia, Chief Judiciary Monk of Malaysia
Born to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Mudiyanselage in the village of Bootawatta , Kandy, Sri Lanka on 28th October 1953.
In 1965, he entered monastic life as a novice Buddhist monk at the age of 12 under the mentorship of Ven. Sumanjothi Maha Thera; and it was this “suited station” that nurtured his life to have an altruistic spiritual journey to heal the hearts of fellow humans out of compassion. Then, he underwent monastic education for the next 11 years until he is a fully ordained Bhikkhu, receiving the Higher Ordination at the age of 22 in 1976 at Malwatta Chapter in Kandy. He later obtained “Diploma in Buddhist Philosophy ”From the Vidyodaya Buddhist Institution, which is the most renowned institution for the Buddhist and oriental studies in Sri Lanka. Following that, 8 years of his life were dedicated for the benefit of people of Sri Lanka.
Bhante came to Malaysia at the age of 30 in 1984. Upon his arrival at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul, he was invited by Sri Jayanti Association to take over the resident monk's post, where he oversaw the transformation of the temple from an old and ruined look to an attractive Buddhist temple inspired by Sri Lankan traditional architecture . The decision took by him to reside in Sentul temple not only change his life, but also the lives of thousands of people who arrived at this temple seeking for the inner peace, serenity and solace in Buddha Dhamma.
Founded Many Charitable Organisations
Sri Jayanti Welfare Organization (SJWO) – 1991
Maha Karuna Buddhist Society (MKBS) – 2001
Maha Karuna Compassionate Home – 2003
Maha Karuna Buddhist Centre – 2004
Yayasan Maha Karuna – 2006
Venerable Saranankara is one of the TBCM Monastic Advisory Panel.
