>PANNASIHA – LION OF WISDOM
Meditation Center
The Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center was established in 2017, in memory of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera, the founder of the Washington Buddhist Vihara, the first Theravada Buddhist temple in the USA , founded in 1965.
Lion of wisdom is the translation of the pali word pannasiha. Panna means wisdom and siha means lion. The lion is the fearless king of animals, while wisdom is the fearless king of the mind.
The Lion of Wisdom Center is the brain-child of Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thera, the chief monk of the Washington Buddhist Vihara who also serves as the abbot of the meditation center where Bhante Yogavacara Rahula is the director and the chief meditation teacher.
The Washington Vihara had been conducting meditation classes regularly, however with the increased interest in meditation, the need was felt to have a quiet, spacious place where devotees can conveniently practice meditation. Situated in the rolling hills of rural Maryland, the center offers beautiful views of the countryside, extending over three scenic acres. The large main house has dorm-style rooms for male and female meditators. A separate building with individual rooms (‘kutis’) for self-retreat have been recently built.