Dhammawood Meditation Center (DMC) is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization. It is a branch of Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, a worldwide Buddhist organization established in Sri Lanka in 1999. The monastery is led by monks ordained and trained in the oldest tradition of Buddhism, Theravada.

SLF had the opportunity to speak with the Chief Monk, Venerable Piliyandala Bodhivansa. He explained that Dhammawood Meditation Center is a place for everyone, regardless of their background or experience, to learn and practice the ancient teachings of the Buddha to cultivate a calm and peaceful mind. It is a non-profit organization based in Riverside, California, dedicated to fostering spiritual development through meditation.

The DMC shares the transformative power of meditation through free programs offered by the monks in various cities. They also offer several free programs and community events, such as blood donation campaigns and life release events.

Venerable Bodhivana wanted to share this message with the community, “Meditation heals our lives more than anything else. It helps us find inner peace and calm and is conducive to developing wisdom.”

DMC’s current Riverside space is limited to 70 people per session, so their goal is to expand the Dhammawood Meditation Center to accommodate more devotees’ participation. The monks are currently conducting fundraising efforts to build or acquire a larger meditation facility to reach more individuals and provide a welcoming space for spiritual growth.

The DMC monks call upon the community and say, “Please join us in building a calmer world. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our goal. Let’s come together to support the expansion of Dhammawood Meditation Center and make a positive impact on the well-being of individuals in our community. Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a more peaceful world.”

For more information and if you would like to donate, visit: https://dhammawoodmeditation.org/