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About Abhaya Thero

Venerable Walasmulle Abhaya Thēro graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 1994. He went on to become a Chartered Civil Engineer, a qualified counsellor, and a successful businessman in the construction industry, employing more than 300 people. With a research-oriented mindset, he eventually turned toward exploring the roots of Buddhist teachings, guided by his late teacher, Venerable Waharaka Abhyaratanalankara Thēro (1950–2017). In 2016, he left behind all material comforts and family belongings to ordain as a Buddhist monk, beginning a vital mission to clarify and resolve critical misinterpretations found in Sinhalese translations of the Tripiṭaka, the Buddhist Canon.

His original sermons, delivered in a mix of Sinhalese and Pāli, attracted a large following in Sri Lanka and gradually reached a global audience through invitations from the UK, Canada, France, Sweden, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. His dedication to teaching that the root cause of suffering lies in the mind, combined with his compassion in helping people through spiritual healing interventions, has resonated with many—regardless of their faith. He now dedicates every weekend to several sermons and Q&A sessions with global audiences online, and he conducts face-to-face meditation retreats almost every two months in different international locations, most recently in Australia.

To extend the benefits of his teachings more widely, he has increasingly offered sermons and discussions in English. This was particularly evident during his visit to the United Kingdom in July–August 2025, where he conducted large gatherings and talks in London, Leicester, and Edinburgh, as well as a 9-day meditation retreat in Hertfordshire. These recordings are available on the Nirapekshathwaye Maga YouTube channel.

It is noteworthy that devotees bear all expenses for his travels and living, as he owns no personal possessions. His latest book, published on Amazon and titled Unravelling the Golden Roots of Contemporary Buddhism, presents a profound yet simple reflection on the roots of Buddhist concepts in English, making them accessible to people worldwide.

Citizens of the United Kingdom now have the opportunity to benefit from further educational visits, sermons, and writings, as Venerable Abhaya Thēro continues to contribute immensely to humanity by deepening our understanding of peace of mind—an approach now expanded into Supramundane Mindfulness and psychological strategies increasingly applied around the world to address mental health.

In other words, Venerable Abhaya Thēro is emerging as a true spiritual leader on the global stage.