Objectives

  • Promote Buddhist practice and insight in the minds of people
  • Promote intercultural understanding
  • Work for peace among nations

    • Maintain and develop places of Buddhist worship for disseminating the concept of fellowship
Sangha Chief and President

 Bhante Pannila Ananda Nayaka Thera, is the founding President and the Abbot of the Houston Buddhist Vihara.  He is also the Sangha Chief, or Nayaka Thera, of the Attanagalla Rajamaha Vihara in Sri Lanka.  He is one of the founders and directors of Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles and also serves as its secretary.  He also performs dharma activities in Taiwan.  Bhante Ananda has been in the Sangha, for more than 40 years.  He receivd a B.A. (Honors) in Pali Language and Buddhist Studies from the Vidyalankara University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in 1969.  After receiving a scholarship to study in Japan, he studied at Kyoto University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies and recieved Diplomas in Japanese Buddhist Studies and in the Japanese Language respectively.  During this period, he performed dharma activities in Kobe, Japan, from 1977 to 1978.
Resident Monks








Bhante Kamburugalle Nanda - Secretary and Treasurer of the Vihara and President of the Texas Buddhist Council. He has been in the Sangha for 38 years.  He received his undergraduate degree in Buddhist Philosophy and has several years of experience in teaching.   He has been peforming Dhamma Duta activities in Los Angeles, and in Malaysia for several years earlier.

 

Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya - (Head Temple of Houston Buddhist Vihara)

Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the most famous ancient royal temples in Sri Lanka.  Attanagalla Royal temples is the primary one amont is nine subordinate temples and is situated in Western PRovince, Sri Lanka, 28 miles northeast of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka.  It is unique because it is the only ancient temple historically recognized as the place where a Bodhisattva ( a future Buddha ) fulfilled his Dana Paramita (one of the ten perfections to be completed by a Bodhisattva to become a Buddha, an Awakened One).  He sacrificed his life by giving his head in gratitude for a favor he received from a poor and ordinary countryman.  Known by the name of King Sri Sangabo (247-249 A.D.) he was recognized in the chronicles  and other ancient literature of Sri Lanka as the most pious Buddhis king in Sri Lankan history.  After King Sri Sangabo, his brother Gothabhaya (249-262 A.D.) became the king of the country and built a Stupa (Pagoda) at te place where his brother, Bodhisattva Sri Sangabo, made the great sacrifice fulfilling a parami.  According to the Attanagall Vihara Chronicle, during the reign of Kng Upatissa (365-406 A.D.), one of the monks, having practiced meditation, attained Arahanthship (enlightenment)at this temple. King Upatiss was very pleased to hear this and built a five story monastery which he offered to the Maha Sangah,

 

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