Dhamma School

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?

Dhamma School for Children

In our strenuous effort to instill Buddhist values in children, Houston Buddhist Vihara offers Dhamma classes to the children of all ages, begining from age three. Currently, we have seven classes from age three to the high school level. The classes are taught in English by monks and qualified lay teachers.

Our Teachers

Ven. Basnagoda Rahula Thero

Venerable Basnagoda Rahula Thero is the president of Houston Buddhist Vihara. He is also a professor of English, public speaker, and Dhamma and meditation teacher. Ven. Rahula became a novice monk during his childhood at Attanagalla Royal Temple in Sri Lanka. After receiving Higher Ordination and a bachelors degree in Buddhist philosophy, he immigrated to the United States in 1990. Ven. Rahula earned his M.A. in literature from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and Ph.D. in English from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He is the author of Beautiful Living: Buddha’s Way to Prosperity, Wisdom, and Inner Peace and The Buddha’s Teachings on Prosperity: at Home, at Work, in the World.

Ven. Karamidule Sirirathana Thero

Ven. Sirirathana Thero entered the Buddhist Order as a novice monk at the age of 12 at Wijayaramaya Vihara, Medirigiriya, Sri Lanka. After completing his primary education at Vidyanikethana Pirivena, Medirigiriya, he entered Vidyavansa Pirivena, Gampaha, for secondary education. In 2012, he was selected to Buddhashravaka Bhikkhu University, Anuradhapura, for higher studies. He earned his B.A. degree in Buddhist studies from the same university in 2013 and then taught at Sri Parakumba Pirivena, Polonnaruwa, for 2 years before immigrating to the United States. Ven. Sirirathana is also the abbot of Sri Sudharshanaramaya, Alkaduwa, Matale.

Srimal Ayodya Herath

Sonali Weerawardena

Dr. Kumari Weeratunge

I am Kumari Weeratunge. I have been a teacher of the children’s Sunday classes at the Vihara for the last seven years. I teach Dhamma to Elementary school children from second grade to fourth grade.

Since my childhood, I have been interested in Dhamma mainly because I come from a traditional Buddhist family and attended Visakha Vidyalaya, one of the greatest Buddhist schools for girls in Sri Lanka. However, my main interest in the Buddha’s teaching started after I completed all my studies about ten years ago. After achieving my goals in studies, I wanted to investigate the true meaning of life & our existence. I realized that there is an answer to all my challenges always hidden in the Buddha’s teaching.

I have been working as a pediatrician in Texas for the last ten years. I am a mother of two daughters of thirteen and eight. They also attend Sunday school regularly. I would like to thank my husband in supporting me to teach in Sunday school. I like to listen to Dhamma sermons regularly. My hobbies are singing, playing the piano & dancing.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ven. Anuruddha Thero for giving me an opportunity to teach in the Sunday school. I was a bit hesitant first as I had never even attended Sunday school in Sri Lanka, but now I look forward to every Sunday school day as it is one of the best times I spend at the temple.