BHAVANA SOCIETY

A Theravada Buddhist Forest Monastery and meditation center

just a few hours away from Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore

“The Bhavana Society will be closed until March 1, 2026. We warmly look forward to welcoming everyone back then.”

“Bhante G’s weekend Zoom sessions will joyfully resume on March 14, 2026.”

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Retreats and events

Dhamma Talk and Meditation by Bhanthe Dhammaguru

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Most Ven. Dr. Banthe Gunarathana's all Dhamma discussions

Bhante G 's weekend talks

(Click here to join the Livestream)

Meeting ID: 668 674 778
Passcode: metta

Upcoming Retreats

Retreat registration opens at noon, one month prior to the retreat start date

Retreat Registration Procedure – Bhavana Society

Please follow the steps below to register for a retreat at the Bhavana Society. Note: Retreats listed on the Bhavana calendar open for registration exactly one month prior to the start date at 12:00 noon (EDT or EST, depending on the time of year).

Steps for Registration:

Click on Retreat Registration
Browse the list and select the retreat that is currently open for registration.
Click “Going” – this will open the registration form.
Fill in your information as requested.
Once complete, click “Submit” to finalize your registration.

SRI LANKA ISSUES STAMP HONORING VEN. DR. HENEPOLA GUNARATANA

Sri Lanka has issued a special stamp honoring Ven. Dr. Henepola Gunaratana, known to his students as Bhante G, for his services to the nation and to Buddhism. Ven. Gunaratana, who is 95 years old, is perhaps best known for his work at the Buddhist Vihara Society of Washington, DC, beginning in 1968, and his founding of the Bhavana Society retreat center in 1982, earning him the Sri Lankan title of Chief Sanghanayaka of North America. At an event hosted by Sri Lankan Transport, Highways, and Mass Media minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, several Sri Lankan officials and leading monastics offered praise for Ven. Gunaratana.

Van. Gunaratana was born on 7 December 1927, and was ordained at the age of 20. He spent five years in India after this, staying at the Mahabodhi Society, living in Sanchi, Delhi, and Mumbai. After this, he spent 10 years in Malaysia teaching and spreading Buddhism, working as a religious advisor for the Sasana Abhivurdhiwardhana Society and other groups…