Oklahoma Buddhist Center

Venerable Hingulwala Piyaratana Thero (Bhante Ratana)

Bhante Ratana was ordained as a novice at Sri Bodhirajaramaya in Kandy, Sri Lanka at age 11.  He obtained a Master of Arts in Pali at the University of Kelaniya in 2005.  He has published several articles on Sanskrit literature.

Bhante Ratana taught Pali and Sanskrit at Sri Parami Dhamma School in Nugawela and Sri Gnanalankara International Bhikku Training Center in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.  He also lectured on Sanskrit at the University of Peradeniya.  He served as Principal at the Sri Sugata Dhamma School in Kandy for nine years.

Bhante Ratana was a resident monk at the Buddhist Meditation Center in Mankato, Minnesota before coming to Oklahoma in 2007 to serve as president of the Oklahoma Buddhist Center. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Oklahoma and frequently travels to India to conduct research.

Venerable Divuldamane Chandananda Thero (Bhante Nanda)

At the age of 14, Bhante Nanda was ordained as a novice at Sri Mahindarama in Divuldamana, Sri Lanka under Venerable Ambagaspitiye Ananda Maha Thero.  He received higher ordination at Asgiriya Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka.  Bhante Nanda studied Pali and Sanskrit as well as Sinhala, Buddhist Philosophy, and Buddhist Civilization at the University of Kelaniya.

Bhante Nanda taught Pali language and Buddhist Civilization as a government teacher in Sri Lanka.  Before coming to the United States, he served as Principal at Sri Sudarmarama Vidyayatana Pirivena in Avissawella, Sri Lanka.  He is the Chief Incumbent of Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya in Jayaweeragoda, Sri Lanka.

Bhante Nanda came to the United States in August of 2008 and, he became a resident monk at the Oklahoma Buddhist Center in February of 2010.

Venerable Atharagalle Yasassi Thero (Bhante Yasassi)

Bhante Yasassi was ordained at Atharagalla Agrabodhi Suwarnabimbaramaya in Menikhinna, Sri Lanka at the age of 13.  He received higher ordination there at age 20.   

Bhante Yasassi taught Sanskrit, Pali, Buddhist Studies, and general subjects at Amupitiya Dhammarama Monastic College in Sri Lanka.  He also served as a principal there for four years.   

In September 2008, Bhante Yasassi came to the United States for the first time.  He served at the Buddhist Meditation Center in Mankato, Minnesota for one year before coming to Oklahoma to assist Bhante Ratana at the Oklahoma Buddhist Center. 

Bhante Yasassi is interested in Buddhist philosophy, as well as meditation and yoga.  He enjoys conducting religious activities and discussing basic Buddhist concepts.