Meditation Friends

Harmony in Society Begins in Each Person’s Mind

“It’s been my honor to practice meditation with many dedicated practitioners and to engage in global humanitarian projects.”

Rev. Dhammapala

Biographical Information:

 

Rev. Dhammapala accepted monastic ordination by the late Ven. K Sri Dhammananda and he served for years as a Buddhist Monk, practicing and learning meditation  techniques and the Buddha’s Teachings while residing in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Nepal, China and Taiwan.

 

Rev. Dhammapala currently serves as a Buddhist Minister, ordained by the Sangha Council of Southern California. He leads meditation and discussion groups for English-speaking persons at the Arizona International Buddhist Meditation Center in Mesa and the Calm Village Buddhist Temple in Phoenix.

 

His many years of public service efforts include advancing housing opportunities for disadvantaged persons and assisting victims of natural disasters, such as hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast and the tsunami in Sri Lanka.

 

Academic achievements include: Harvard University, University of Maryland, University of Colorado, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Oklahoma State University, Mesa College, Chandler-Gilbert College and Wright State University.

 

 

Meditation Friends began in Arizona in 1993.

 

A few years later, our group adopted the name Center for Buddhist Development (CBD), a religious 501c3 non-profit organization based in Rosemead, California. 

 

In 2000, CBD-Arizona purchased a residential property in Tempe, Arizona for use as a meditation center. 

 

The vision for the property was to serve as the beginning of a future public center for meditation practice, supported by meditation practitioners.  Unfortunately, funding was not adequate to continue operations and the property was sold in 2005.

 

Our group has changed in size throughout the years; however, a small number have remained dedicated to continuing practice as a group.

 

Special thanks to those long-term practitioners who have remained loyal to our group for many years:

Alvin, Cen, Debi, Holly and Maria.

 

 

 

Message from Rev. Dhammapala:

 

I have been very fortunate to study and practice with many excellent teachers from numerous traditions. My gratitude goes to the following teachers for helping me understand Buddhist practice. To learn more about each of these teachers, please go to the LINKS page.