Wisdom in the prairies.
Mahamevnawa Buddha Meditation Centre Winnipeg is a Theravāda Buddhist monastery. We welcome everyone — regardless of background or experience — to learn and practise the ancient teachings of the Buddha.
A global monastic community rooted in the Buddha’s teaching.
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery was founded in 1999 in Sri Lanka by Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero to advance spiritual development through the original teachings of the Buddha.
The name Mahamevnawa translates as “Great Cloud Monastery” — a reference to the first monastery in Sri Lanka where the Buddha’s teaching was introduced.
Today Mahamevnawa operates more than eighty branches across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, India, Dubai, and Sri Lanka.
Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero has dedicated his life to making the original teachings of the Buddha accessible to lay practitioners — through clear Sutta-based instruction, simple language, and a return to the meditative culture of the early sangha. The Winnipeg centre carries forward that aspiration with deep gratitude.
“I welcome you all to Mahamevnawa with thoughts of good will. Within our Dhamma service we have no restrictions with regard to race, caste, language, colour, or religion. Let us share this splendid gift of Dhamma with everyone.”
Theravāda — the teaching of the elders.
Theravāda (“the way of the elders”) is the oldest continuously-practised school of Buddhism, preserving the Buddha’s teachings as recorded in the Pāli Canon.
Our monks offer guidance grounded in this unbroken lineage — teaching the Dhamma in modern, accessible language while keeping it faithful to its original form.
A place for you in Winnipeg.
Whether you are exploring Buddhism for the first time, returning to a long-held practice, or simply looking for an hour of stillness — you are welcome. Come sit with us, meet the monks, borrow a book, share a meal.
We gratefully recognize that our monastery rests on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.