Meet Bhante Dr. Upananda 

Early life: Born at Dedunupitiya, a village in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka, Bhante lived a lay life only until he turned 13. 

Journey to Buddhism: According to his family records, when he was 4 years old, Bhante would practice breath meditation showing he would leave his lay life one day. 

Monastic life: At age 13 after a three-day hunger strike Bhante was able to secure permission from his mother to become a novice monk. In 1987 Bhante received upasampada or full ordination at Asgiriya Sangha Council of Sri Lanka Siam Maha Nikaya. 

Training and leadership: In addition to his formal monastic education, he has earned a bachelor’s degree in Pali from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, a research master’s in religious studies from Florida International University at Miami, an M.Phil. in Asian Studies from the University of Cambridge, a higher Master’s in TESOL from Northcentral University at San Diego, and a PhD in American Buddhist mindfulness studies from the University of Peradeniya. He teaches religious studies and serves as a holistic counselor.