Short Autobiography

To understand the source of this knowledge and the teachings within, let me share a little about myself—not out of ego, but to help you grasp how I have come to these realizations. I am a Theravāda Buddhist monk, and my life's work is devoted to guiding people toward liberation. But my journey did not begin in a Buddhist family. I was born into a Catholic household and was the only child. Like many children, I was full of desires and ambitions. I excelled academically and was always at the top of my class. I had big plans for my future—my ultimate goal was to become the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

However, one particular desire consumed me, a desire that would later change my life entirely. I had a deep yearning for the presence of an elder sister, someone who could be a loving, nurturing figure like a mother. This desire was so strong that it became an obsession. It caused me immense suffering, but as an introvert, I kept these emotions hidden. To the outside world, I appeared as a serious, focused, and professional individual, but inside, I was constantly plagued by this unfulfilled longing.

I prayed to God frequently and turned to the Bible for solace. At the same time, I found myself drawn to meditation books, particularly in search of methods to attain supernatural powers. It was through this exploration that I came across Buddhist teachings and meditation practices, which sparked a profound transformation in my life. I realized that desires are like a mirage—they promise satisfaction but only lead to more suffering. The only way to be free from suffering is to relinquish all phenomena and still the physical, verbal, and mental formations that keep us trapped.

My teachings are, in many ways, a personal reflection of the path I took to overcome my own suffering. It contains the step-by- step guidance I followed to attain peace, joy, and ultimately liberation. At the age of 13, I made the decision to convert to Buddhism on my own, despite being raised in a Catholic family. By the age of 15, I was ordained as a Buddhist monk, having left my home forcefully in search of deeper truths. During this time, I immersed myself in the study of the Tipiṭaka (the Buddhist scriptures), with a particular focus on the Sutta Piṭaka. These ancient texts were my guide as I embarked on this spiritual journey, and they form the foundation of the teachings of mine.

In pursuit of higher meditation practices, I later traveled to a renowned meditation monastery in Myanmar, where I lived for several years. There, I deepened my meditation practice and gained further insights into the teachings of the Lord Buddha. While the knowledge I gained through reading and study was invaluable, it was through meditation and direct experience that I truly understood the path to liberation. This is the method I teach to my students, and it is what I offer you through the sermons and books.

May you be well, may you be happy, and may you be liberated!

With boundless Metta,

Venerable Panadure Ananda Thero.

The Meditation Master,

YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist Association) Colombo &

CISF (Colombo International Spiritual Foundation).