We are delighted to welcome you to the newly redesigned website of the Maryland Buddhist Vihara. This refreshed online home brings together our practices, events and community in one place, making it easier than ever to connect with the Vihara and the Dhamma.

Bhante Uparatana joined the cornerstone-laying ceremony for a new International Buddhist Centre at the historic Viharagodayaya sacred site in Onegama, Polonnaruwa, where his foundation made an initial contribution towards creating a lasting place for worship, learning and compassionate community service.

Bhante Uparatana visited a Montessori school in Sri Lanka, where he offered blessings to the children and teachers. The visit brought together early learning and spiritual encouragement, reflecting the importance of nurturing kindness, respect and wholesome values from a young age.

Uparatana Paramitha Padanama marked an important step in establishing its future office in Sri Lanka with the unveiling and blessing of an installed Buddha image, bringing supporters together in gratitude and reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to compassionate service and welfare.

Maryland Buddhist Vihara welcomes the community for a joyful Poson evening featuring devotional songs and the traditional sharing of free food and ice cream. All are invited to gather in fellowship while commemorating the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

Bhante Uparatana joined Ven. Dr. Thanat Inthisan and members of the Thai Buddhist community to pay his respects to Ven. Thanat’s late father, offering condolences and standing in fellowship with a longtime friend and fellow founder of the IBAA.

Maryland Buddhist Vihara marked Vesak 2026 with a reverent Twenty-Eight Buddhas Pūjā, offerings, chanting and a Dhamma talk by Bhante Uparatana, shared beyond the temple through a live broadcast to devotees in Sri Lanka and the wider Buddhist community worldwide.

Maryland Buddhist Vihara welcomed Sri Lanka’s Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, who visited Bhante Uparatana to pay their respects and share a cordial meeting at the Vihara in May 2026.

On Mother’s Day 2026, children and families gathered at Maryland Buddhist Vihara for a meaningful day of spiritual practice, reflection, and gratitude. By observing the Eight Precepts together, the young participants honored both the Buddha’s teachings and the loving care of their mothers.

Bhante Uparatana joined the opening of the Bhante G Heritage Center at the Bhavana Society, honouring his teacher, the Most Venerable Henepola Gunaratana, and celebrating a living legacy of meditation, scholarship and dedicated service to the Dhamma in the West.

Bhante Uparatana led American University’s 2026 Vesak observance, bringing students, monastics and friends together for reflection, meditation and candle-lighting, while sharing the Buddha’s timeless message of peace, compassion, loving-kindness and mindful living within the university’s interfaith community in Washington, D.C.

Maryland Buddhist Vihara celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 19 April 2026, bringing devotees and friends together for traditional observances, festive foods and fellowship under Bhante Uparatana’s guidance, with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States in attendance.

Bhante Uparatana joined monastic and lay leaders from the International Buddhist Association of America for a meeting with the White House Faith Office, strengthening dialogue between Buddhist communities and public institutions and advancing cooperation, mutual understanding and service across traditions.

Bhante’s 72nd birthday was celebrated at Maryland Buddhist Vihara and commemorated in Sri Lanka through a community blood donation programme, bringing devotees together in gratitude and reflecting the Buddhist values of generosity, compassion, service and reverence for a devoted teacher.

Bhante Uparatana joined the Washington welcome for the historic Walk for Peace, greeting the Maha Sangha at Washington National Cathedral and later presenting an honorary plaque at American University in recognition of their message of peace, compassion, wisdom and unity.

Students from MBV’s Dhamma School for Young Ones joined Bhante Uparatana on stage to sing Sri Lanka’s National Anthem during the 78th Independence Day celebration in Wheaton, sharing their heritage with the Sri Lankan community across the Washington metropolitan area.

Most Venerable Katugastota Uparatana Thera presented a donation of US$17,000 to Sri Lankan Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe on behalf of the Maryland Sri Lankan community, in support of those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Bhante joined monastics and devotees from around the world at the 20th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony in Bodh Gaya, where the sacred Pali Canon was recited in a spirit of devotion, unity and peace for the welfare of all beings.

An ancient Buddhist Sīmā Mālakaya, long buried at Jathika Namal Uyana, has been conserved and returned to the nation with Bhante Uparatana’s support, preserving a sacred link to Sri Lanka’s early monastic heritage for future generations of devotees and visitors.

Through Uparatana Paramitha Padanama, Bhante Uparatana extended support to two families facing difficult housing conditions in Sri Lanka, funding a new roof for one household and committing assistance towards rebuilding another family’s home to provide greater safety, dignity and stability.