The Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka of the United States: Bhante Katugastota Uparatana Maha Thera

In recognition of his virtuous character, his tremendous outreach efforts to introduce Buddhism to the American people, and his tireless service to the Sangha and lay Buddhist community in the United States, Venerable Katugastota Uparatana Maha Thera of the International Buddhist Center of Wheaton, Maryland was awarded with the most prestigious honor by the Maha Sangha Sabha of the Malwatte Maha Vihara in Kandy. Specifically, on July 25, 2003, the Maha Sangha bestowed on him the honor and title of "Wimalakeerthi Sri Gunaratana" and the Chief Adikarana Sangha Nayaka of the United States of America.

This honor is only awarded after a thorough investigation of a monk's character, education, contribution to the Sangha, prominence and development of Buddhist values. Now known as Bhante Katugastota Uparatana Maha Nayaka Thera, he is the son of Mr. James Dias Pandigama and Weerasinghe Arriachchige Sano Hamine, and was ordained as a Buddhist monk at age 12, under the strict guidance and discipline of Venerable Murruddeniye Sri Ratanapala Maha Thera and Venerable Dr. Henepola Gunaratana Maha Nayaka. In 1968, he was admitted to the Buddhist monks' training center at Maliyadeva Pirivena, Kurunegala. In 1974 at the age of 20, he received his higher ordination of Upasampada. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sanskrit, Buddhist Philosophy and Mass Communication from the University, where after graduation he became a lecturer of Vidyalankara Pirivena and Sunday Dhamma school teacher. Venerable Professor K. Vajira served as his mentor and encouraged him to engage in inter-cultural activities to promote Buddhism internationally.

In 1981 Ven. Dr. Gunaratana, at that time the president of Washington Buddhist Vihara, invited Bhante Uparatana to join the temple as a resident monk. Upon arriving, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. Since 1989 he has served as the Buddhist chaplain at American University in Washington, D.C., where he also teaches Vipassana meditation. In 1996, in an effort to nourish Theravada Buddhism among the Sri Lankan, American and foreign born people in the United States, Bhante Uparatana founded the International Buddhist Center in Wheaton, Maryland.

A few years ago, Bhante Uparatana was appointed the co-president of the International Buddhist Committee, which encompasses all Mahayana and Theravada temples and centers in the Washington metropolitan area, and this year he was appointed to host International Vesak, a celebration of Vesak by all of the temples and centers collectively.

Bhante Uparatana is recognized not only by the community of the national capital area of the U.S., but also by its government. Both the previous and the present Governors of the State of Maryland have recognized his service to the community and his leadership qualities, and both have awarded him with the Governor's Award as an outstanding citizen of the State of Maryland. The Federal government too has recognized his outstanding qualities, as the U.S. State Department appointed him as lecturer for Singhala language and advisor for Sri Lankan cultural affairs, to prepare American diplomats for careers at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka.

Looking ahead to the future, to further nourish the Buddhist community, to expand the services of the temple, and to accommodate its expanding membership, the International Buddhist Center plans to relocate to a new site in Montgomery County, Maryland. Bhante Uparatana looks forward to expanding his spiritual service thereby.

International Buddhist Center
2600 Elmont St
Wheaton, MD 20902