Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna

USA

Sri Lanka

Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna

USA – Sri Lanka

Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna is deeply devoted to the simplicity, purity, and inner discipline of the forest tradition. Living in close association with forest monasteries, she embraces an austere and contemplative way of practice grounded in strict Vinaya observance. With humility and contentment, she participates in pindapata (alms round), prepares her own requisites, hand-dyes her robes, and colors her alms bowl according to traditional customs. Practicing quietly alongside forest monks, she preserves the Buddha's path through personal example, harmony, and disciplined living.

Born in 1970 to a devout Buddhist family, she displayed a contemplative nature and deep reflection on impermanence and death from an early age. Inspired by her grandmother's guidance, she developed a strong aspiration toward Nibbana, and actively engaged in Dhamma school activities. By the age of twenty-seven, she began attending ten-day Vipassanā retreats at Goenka Meditation Centers, firmly establishing meditation as a lifelong daily practice.

Alongside her spiritual path, she led a responsible lay life as an Insurance Executive before moving to the United States for higher education in Business Administration and Early Childhood Education. She later served as an assistant director of a kindergarten in the USA.

Together with her husband, they transformed their home into a center of generosity and practice, hosting meditation retreats, supporting forest monks, organizing international Dhamma programs, and assisting monasteries in Sri Lanka through dana and construction projects. Eventually, with clarity and courage, they renounced worldly life and fully embraced the monastic path.

She has taught Dhamma in the USA and Europe with Bhikkhu Karandulena Dammagaveshi Thero (whom she invited to the USA from Sri Lanka), and their recorded Dhamma discussions are freely available on YouTube. She is the Founder of Dhamma Center USA in Virginia, which has a Sima ordination area, and leads programs for women aspiring to monastic life.

Bhikkhuni Kurunegala Dhammadinna is dedicated to dana, sila and bhavana for the welfare and liberation of all beings.