banthei3Venerable Madawala Seelawimala Mahathera (Bhante Seelawimala) is a Theravadin monk from Sri Lanka. He received his novice ordination at age 10, and full ordination at age 20, in 1968. Since 1976, Bhante Seelawimala has been a Professor of Theravada Buddhism at the Institute of Buddhist Studies and Graduate Theological Union, affiliated with University of California, Berkeley. He is also the Founder of the American Buddhist Seminary, and Spiritual Director of their Temple.

He is Abbot of the Ancient Cave Temple in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, and has established temples and viharas in the United States and Canada. Bhante Seelawimala has had, since age ten attending public school as a monk, unique experience with bridging secular and Buddhist education, and in coming to the U.S. with bridging various Buddhist, American, and Asian communities.

>Read more on the American Buddhist Seminary website