Dr. Ven. Kadihingala Hemasiri
Director, UPEDEC / Senior Lecturer
Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies
Faculty of Buddhist Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Dr. Ven. Kadihingala Hemasiri Thero is a Senior Lecturer (Grade II) in Buddhist Civilization at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka and currently serves as Acting Director of the Unit of Postgraduate, External Degrees and Extension Courses (UPEDEC). His academic work focuses on Buddhist civilization, Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions, Buddhist culture, Buddhist education, comparative religion, Buddhist textual studies and the historical development of Buddhist thought across South and East Asia. He completed a First-Class Honours B.A. Special Degree in Buddhist Civilization at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, an M.A. in Buddhist Studies at the Postgraduate Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, and a PhD in Buddhist Studies at the School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, China.
His teaching and research experience spans undergraduate, postgraduate and external degree education, curriculum development, dissertation supervision, scholarly reviewing, academic editing and university administration. He has served as a Lecturer and Probationary Lecturer in Buddhist Civilization at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka and as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His research interests include comparative Buddhist culture and civilization, early and post-canonical Buddhist texts, Mahāyāna influences in Sri Lanka, the Bodhisattva ideal, Buddhist education, Buddhist emotional management, Buddhist art and the application of modern technologies to Buddhist studies. He also contributes to quality assurance, academic boards, journal editing, student counselling and national-level research and policy consultation.
Educational Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Buddhist Studies, School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, P.R. China (2019 - 2024)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Buddhist Studies, English Medium, Postgraduate Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2009
Bachelor of Arts (Special) in Buddhist Civilization, First-Class Honours, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2004 - 2008)
Diploma in Buddhism, English Medium, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 2009
Diploma in Buddhism, Sinhala Medium, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 2008
Certificate Course in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE), Staff Development Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2012
Academic Positions
Senior Lecturer (Grade II) in Buddhist Civilization, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024 - Present)
Lecturer in Buddhist Civilization, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2015 - 2024)
Probationary Lecturer in Buddhist Civilization, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2012 - 2015)
Visiting Lecturer in Buddhist Civilization, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2013 - 2014)
Visiting Lecturer in Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2011 - 2012)
Temporary Tutor in Buddhist Civilization, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2011 - 2012)
Administrative Positions
Acting Director, Unit of Postgraduate, External Degrees and Extension Courses (UPEDEC), Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (April 2025 - Present)
Member, Academic Board, UPEDEC, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024 - 2027)
Managing Editor, Pravacana, Vol. 16, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Member, Senate Standing Committee for Quality Assurance, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Senior Student Counsellor, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Syllabus Reviewer, Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Coordinator, Departmental Action Plan Activities, Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Member, Tripitaka Editorial and Translating Committee, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2023)
Student Counsellor, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2012 - 2018)
Sub-Warden, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018 - 2019)
Editor, BUSL Bi-Annual Newsletter and Pravacana Refereed Journal, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Reviewer, International Buddhist Conference 2024, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Reviewer, AIRS 2024, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo
Publications & Research
Books3
- Buddhism in Indonesia. Māghadhi Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, Miriswattha, Puwakpitiya, 2012. ISBN 978-955-1867-31-7.
- Mahāyāna Concepts in Ancient Sri Lankan Buddhism. Māghadhi Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, Miriswattha, Puwakpitiya, 2011. ISBN 978-955-0398-28-7.
- Buddhist Education in Sri Lanka. Māghadhi Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, Miriswattha, Puwakpitiya, 2011. ISBN 978-955-0398-29-4.
Thesis / Dissertation3
- Hemasiri, K. (2024). The Study of the Bodhisattva Concept in Sri Lanka. PhD Dissertation, School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, P.R. China.
- A Critical Study of the Traditional Methods of Buddhist Education. M.A. Thesis, Postgraduate Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2008.
- Research on Mahāyāna Influences in Sri Lankan Buddhism. B.A. Special Degree Dissertation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2008.
Journal Articles (Selected)3
- Hemasiri, K. (2024). Principles of Emotional Management in Theravāda Jātaka Stories. North American Academic Research, 7(5), 73-86. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11311739.
- Hemasiri, K. (2022). The Mahayana Bodhisattva Impact on Sri Lankan Monks with Special Reference to the Bodhicaryāvatāra and Bodhisattva Prārthanā Gāthā. Sri Lanka International Journal of Buddhist Studies, Vol. VIII.
- Hemasiri, K. (2022). Modern Trends of Non-Theravāda Impact on Sri Lankan Society. Sri Lanka International Journal of Buddhist Studies, Vol. VIII.
Conference Papers (National)3
- The End of the World: The Buddhist Analysis. 5th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (2012).
- A Few Problems Facing Modern Pirivena Education. 5th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (2012).
- Buddhist Influence on Magical Treatments in Agriculture. 5th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (2012).
Conference Papers (International)3
- An Analysis on Artistic Creations Connected with Stupa. International Conference on the Evolution of Buddhist Stupa, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2014), pp. 159-162.
- The Opportunistic Words Usage of the Buddha. 2nd International Research Conference, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2013).
- A Conceptual Inquiry into Culture and Civilization with Reference to Buddhism. 4th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2015), pp. 125-126.
Awards & Distinctions
PhD Scholarship in China, 2018
Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship, 2004
Fields of Interest
Memberships
Life Member, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka
Life Member, Oriental Studies Society of Sri Lanka