7 December 2024 marks the 97th birthday of the most Venerable Dr. Henepola Gunaratana Nayaka Thero, a highly-regarded speaker, meditation teacher, and senior prelate in North America.  Fondly known as ‘Bhante G’, Ven. Gunaratana has been propagating Dhamma in India, Malaysia and the United States of America for almost 8 decades.

Ven. Gunaratana was a resident bhikkhu at Buddhist Mahā Vihāra in Kuala Lumpur from 1958 to 1968, assisting the late Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Nāyaka Thero to propagate Buddhism in Malaysia.  Ven. Gunaratana currently resides and continues to teach with unrelentless vigour at Bhāvanā Society in West Virginia, U.S.A., where he serves as Founder-President and Abbot.

Today, as the Sangha and lay community at Bhāvanā Society celebrates this auspicious occasion, let us also join them in spirit and wish Bhante G the best of health always. Happy Birthday Bhante!