Revered meditation guru and Dhamma teacher Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso Maha Thera (Ajahn Brahm), known for his ability to make the profound teachings of the Buddha easily understood by laymen, will visit Sri Lanka from May 16 to 26, 2025.
Ven. Mettavihari Nayaka Thera
This marks Ajahn Brahm’s seventh visit to Sri Lanka, following previous tours in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2023. A household name among Sri Lankan Buddhists, Ajahn Brahm is celebrated for his accessible wisdom and gentle humour.
The tour is organised by the Ajahn Brahm Society of Sri Lanka (ABSSL), with guidance from Venerable Mettavihari Thera, who serves as the society’s advisor. Venerable Mettavihari resides at the Narada Bauddha Dharmayatanaya (formerly the Narada Buddhist Research and Information Centre) on Sarana Road, Colombo 7.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer about Ven. Ajahn Brahm’s upcoming visit and the Thera’s connection with Sri Lanka, Ven. Mettavihari Thera recalled, “It started way back in 2007 when Ajahn Brahm was first invited to Sri Lanka by Dr. Stalin Wettimuny from California. A Dhamma retreat was then held at the late Mitra Wettimuny’s residence and I recorded the sermons for my television channel.”
After the initial visit, Ven. Mettavihari said that a Sri Lankan supporter of Ajahn Brahm’s monastery living in Perth, Premalal Mirihagalla, was very keen on Ajahn Brahm returning to Sri Lanka and organised his visit in January, 2009.
“Premalal’s intention was for Ajahn Brahm to teach meditation, particularly to teachers, both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. With the support of other Buddhists in Perth, he organised Ajahn Brahm’s visit in January 2009. Ajahn Brahm conducted the program with Ven. Abhaya Thera, a Sri Lankan bhikkhu ordained by Ajahn Brahm in Perth, translating the teachings into Sinhala.”
“They organised programs in eight places around the country, most of them in Aranyas. These programs were open to everyone, monastics and lay people alike. At least 500 people attended each program, making it a highly successful tour.”
First meditation retreat with Ajahn Brahm
Ven. Mettavihari mentioned that the ABSSL commenced its first public sermon and retreat with Ajahn Brahm in 2011, with the first meditation retreat held in January 2011 in Bandarawela.
“The retreat was primarily for bhikkhus, and it was one of the best retreats we’ve held because Ajahn Brahm was speaking mainly to bhikkhus. He communicated in the language that bhikkhus wanted to hear, and his talks were extremely insightful. We recorded those talks, and they remain popular on the internet. These were some of Ajahn Brahm’s best talks that we have to this day,” he said.
When asked about how many times they had hosted Ajahn Brahm in Sri Lanka since then, Ven. Mettavihari said, “There was a gap during the Covid-19 period, but otherwise he has visited almost every second year.”
Regarding the ABSSL’s main intention in bringing Ajahn Brahm to Sri Lanka, the Ven. thera shared:
“First of all, I must emphasise that we primarily focus our efforts on having Ajahn Brahm teach bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in seven-day-long meditation retreats designed for monastics. Ajahn Brahm’s visits are of particular benefit to the monastic community.”
“We do accommodate some lay meditators, but their numbers are very limited. During interview sessions, Ajahn Brahm is free to discuss his own meditation experiences with bhikkhuss—something he cannot do freely with lay people due to vinaya restrictions.”
“It’s very important for us to have that personal contact with someone who has extensive meditation experience. He serves as a guide and leader with the ability to direct other monks and inspire them using his own experience. He is highly respected and emulated by many Sri Lankan bhikkhus. This interaction provides a valuable experience and opportunity for them.”
Sri Lanka has immensely benefited from Ajahn Brahm’s visits, Ven. Mettavihari said.
“For each of Ajahn Brahm’s visits, we have arranged talks and meditation sessions at the BMICH, attracting up to 7,000 people on one occasion. I recall inviting a friend to attend one of these talks. He initially said, ‘You know me, I don’t often meet bhikkhus.’ I persisted, and he reluctantly agreed to come for just half an hour to listen. He was so impressed that he stayed the entire day, and since then, he has attended all of Ajahn’s talks. Ajahn Brahm’s ability to draw thousands of people and keep them engaged for many hours speaks volumes about his unique abilities and personality.”
“I also remember advising family members experiencing disputes to listen to specific talks by Ajahn Brahm, which helped them resolve their conflicts. His advice has proven extremely valuable in many cases.”
Devotion across communities
“We’ve had people from all communities coming to listen to his talks. He attracts not only Buddhists but people of other beliefs and religions as well. This demonstrates that Buddhism in its true essence is relevant to all people, which is why his sermons resonate with everyone.”
Ajahn Brahm in Sri Lanka
“What differentiates Ajahn Brahm’s talks is that he addresses subjects that are relevant and useful to all classes of society. He speaks to children, adults, and families alike. His talks are filled with practical advice on how to live a good life without experiencing problems at home or work.”
May 2025 visit
Regarding the upcoming programs during Ajahn Brahm’s visit, Ven. Mettavihari said.
“On May 17, in the afternoon, we will have an exclusive event for university professors from the Centre for Meditation Research, Faculty of Meditation, University of Colombo, on the topic ‘The Science of Meditation,’ with Ajahn Brahm as the keynote speaker.”
“On May 17 evening, we will host a program for the business community. During this program, people from all communities will have the opportunity to ask questions about running a wholesome business organisation.”
“On the 18th, we have planned a four-hour program from 7 am until 11 am at BMICH. We are inviting 2,000 A-Level students to attend a special talk on handling life’s changing conditions. Additionally, we are inviting 1,000 university students to learn how to address their problems by incorporating meditation into their daily lives.
Apart from this, as always, we will also provide space for our general supporters—the ardent devotees and followers of Ajahn Brahm at the BMICH. Anyone interested may register for free passes at www.abssl.lk.”
Reflecting on Ajahn Brahm’s global influence, Ven. Mettavihari said “Ajahn Brahm travels for teaching programs all over the world, from Korea to Singapore and London. It is very difficult to secure a booking with him. We had to schedule our event 18 months in advance to obtain a slot in his busy calendar.”
“I call him the Theravada Dalai Lama, and I believe he commands tremendous respect globally—not only from Buddhists but from other communities as well,” Ven. Mettavihari added.
