Is there really a Buddhist monastery in Winnipeg?

Yes — and we’re delighted you’re asking. Mahamevnawa Buddha Meditation Centre Winnipeg is a fully operating Theravāda Buddhist monastery located at 2610 St Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2N 4A2. Resident monks live and practise here year-round.

Part of a global tradition

We are a branch of the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, founded in Sri Lanka in 1999 by Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero. With over 80 branches across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, India, and Sri Lanka, Mahamevnawa is one of the fastest-growing Theravāda monastic communities in the world.

The Winnipeg centre carries that same mission — making the original teachings of the Buddha accessible to anyone who is curious, regardless of background, language, or prior experience.

What we are

A monastery is more than a meditation hall. It is a living community where monks study the ancient Pāli texts, practise meditation daily, and offer teachings and guidance to lay visitors. Our monks are fully ordained under the Theravāda Vinaya — the same monastic code followed since the time of the Buddha.

We welcome anyone who walks through our door — Buddhists, people of other faiths, and the simply curious alike. You do not need to convert or commit to anything. Come and see for yourself.

Programs open to the public

Every week we offer free programs at the monastery and in the wider community — meditation sessions, Dhamma talks, children’s programs, and quarterly day-long retreats. All programs are offered freely as a gift of the Dhamma.