Umandawa Global Buddhist Village

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Umandawa Global Buddhist Village (උමංදාව විශ්ව බෞද්ධ ගම්මානය)

Umandawa Global Buddhist Village is a 70-acre eco-monastery in Kurunegala founded by the controversial Siri Samanthabhadra Thero. Blending organic farming with spiritual retreat, it functions as a self-sufficient community. Despite marketing itself as a path to “supreme bliss,” it remains a subject of intense debate regarding traditional Theravada practices.

Umandawa Global Buddhist Village, also known as Umandawa Maha Vihara Monastery, is a recently developed Buddhist-oriented community operated by the controversial monk Siri Samanthabhadra Thero. He has publicly claimed to have attained the state of supreme spiritual liberation, identifying himself as Siri Samanthabhadra Maha Arahath Thero. The site is promoted as a personal retreat open to all.

Visitor Access and Facilities

Umandawa is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., throughout the year, with free entry for visitors. Guests are received by monks and nuns assigned to a welcome committee, who manage visitor relations, respond to inquiries, and conduct guided tours of the monastery. The monastery offers a range of Buddhist spiritual programs as well as accommodation facilities for those interested in experiencing the lifestyle of the resident community (Thilakarathne, 2021).

Institutional Structure

The Umandawa community functions both as a Buddhist monastery and as a non-profit organization. It is registered under the brand name Umandawa Maha Vihara Monastery and operates under the company name Siri Sadaham Ashramaya. The administrative, fundraising, and marketing operations are primarily coordinated from Siri Sadaham Ashramaya, based in Dehiwala (Thilakarathne, 2021).

Land and Self-Sufficient Model

Umandawa promotes itself as a self-sustaining community engaged in organic farming carried out by its residents. The property spans approximately 28.3 hectares (70 acres), having previously been an abandoned coconut plantation before its acquisition in 2015. According to the resident monastic community, the land was purchased with financial assistance from a monk—now deceased—who had been a medical doctor prior to ordination.

Self-Proclaimed Arhath: Siri Samanthabhadra Thero

Siri Samanthabhadra Thero and his own statue

Siri Samanthabhadra Thero was born in 1975 in Pitiduwa, Galle, and entered the Buddhist monastic order in 2000 under the name Pitiduwe Siridhamma. Known for his eloquence and ability to engage audiences, he quickly rose to prominence as a preacher. As his popularity and following increased, he adopted the name Siri Samanthabhadra and, following his declaration of attaining the arahath stage, began identifying himself as Samanthabhadra Maha Arahath Thero. The name Samanthabhadra itself is also associated with the Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.

The Concept of Arahath in Theravada Buddhism

Within Theravada Buddhism, spiritual progression toward enlightenment is typically described through successive stages: Sowan, Sakurdagamee, Anagaami, and finally, Arahat. The arahat state represents the culmination of spiritual purification, wherein all defilements (kilesa) are eradicated. An arahath is believed to be free from the cycle of rebirth (samsara), having completely severed all binding fetters.

Despite these doctrinal definitions, many Buddhists perceive Siri Samanthabhadra Thero as a figure who blends religious identity with entrepreneurial activity. Nevertheless, he commands a significant and dedicated following.

Public Image and Controversy

A notable aspect of Siri Samanthabhadra Thero’s public presence is his engagement in controversy, often through critiques of established Buddhist practices, which has drawn criticism from many within the Buddhist community while reinforcing support among his adherents. His continued prominence has been sustained through a series of provocative statements over recent years.

Jayasinghe (2019) characterizes him as a public performer whose approach resembles that of a theatrical figure, emphasizing audience engagement and impact. According to this assessment, his influence extends across diverse social groups, with both politically ambitious individuals and segments of the diaspora expressing support.

At the same time, observations suggest that religious devotion in such contexts often transcends educational or social distinctions, with a general tendency among followers to embrace belief while setting aside critical evaluation (Jayasinghe, 2019).

References

Thilakarathne, C. D. (2021). The Role of Adaptive Capacity in Supporting Resilient Livelihoods: An Asset-Based Approach at Umandawa Maha Vihara Monastery, Sri Lanka. (Unpublished master’s thesis). Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of International Environmental and Development Studies.
Jayasinghe, S. (2019, March 09). Revd Pitiduwe Siri Samanthabhadra: Pretender or savant? Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/revd-pitiduwe-siri-samanthabhadra-pretender-or-savant/
Umandawa. (2022, May 03). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://umandawa.org/
Wasala, R. R. (2017, September 14). LankaWeb – case of a modern day arahant – I. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2017/09/30/case-of-a-modern-day-arahant-i/
Wasala, R. R. (2017, October 2). LankaWeb – case of a modern day Arahant – ii. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2017/10/02/case-of-a-modern-day-arahant-ii/
Siri Samanthabhadra. (2020, August 17). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://en.everybodywiki.com/Siri_Samanthabhadra

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