Temple History:
The Austin Buddhist Vihara was founded on June 3rd, 2006 under the patronage of the resident monks, as a place of observance of the Therawada principles of Buddhism.
Panditha Yatagama Sumanajothi Thero:
Panditha Yatagama Sumanajothi Thero is the Chief Resident Monk at the Austin Buddhist
Vihara. He was ordained on September 24th, 1957 and received his higher
ordination on May 24th, 1968 from Gaspe Sri Somananda Maha Ishtavira Thero and Panditha Vinayacharya Gaspe
Deerananda Maha Ishtavira Thero in Sri-Lanka. After completing his primary education at the Vidyalankara
Pirirvena, he obtained his Bachelors degree from University of Kelaniya, Sri-Lanka
in 1968. In 1969, he obtained the "Prachina Panditha" degree, with proficiency in the languages of
Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and Hindi.
He was the head resident monk of "Gampaha Hirikuluwa Vidyadarshi Pirivena", Sri Lanka from 1968 - 1992. He continued his community service as the head resident monk at Lumbini Vihara, Nepal (2001-2003) followed by The Stockholm Buddhist Temple, Sweden (2003-2005). He assumed duties as the Chief resident monk of the Austin Buddhist Vihara in 2006.