Academic Staff/Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies/Dr. Ven. Kirama Wimalathissa
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Dr. Ven. Kirama Wimalathissa

Head, Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies

Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies

Faculty of Buddhist Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka

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4Qualifications
4Academic Positions
36Scholarly Items
7Research Areas
01
About

Biography

Ven. Dr. Kirama Wimalathissa is a Senior Lecturer (Grade I) and Head of the Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. His academic specialization encompasses Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Counselling, Buddhist Meditation, Buddhist epistemology, ethics, Theravāda studies and the psychological dimensions of Buddhist thought. He completed a PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Peradeniya in 2025, following an M.Phil. in Buddhist Studies from the same university and a Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with First-Class Honours. He also holds the traditional Royal Pandit qualification awarded by the Sri Lanka Oriental Studies Society.

His academic career combines teaching, research, scholarly editing, curriculum development, quality assurance and university governance. He has served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, while holding significant leadership responsibilities at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, including membership of the Council and Senate, coordination of international affairs and faculty quality assurance, chairmanship of the University Website Management Committee and service on curriculum and staff-development committees. His publications examine Buddhist epistemology and ethics, Theravāda and Mahāyāna thought, Buddhist counselling, mindfulness, stress management, meditation, mental well-being, Abhidhamma, sustainable consumption, emotion regulation and Buddhist leadership.

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Academic Background

Educational Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2012

Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies, First-Class Honours, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2007

Royal Pandit, Sri Lanka Oriental Studies Society, 2005

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Appointments

Academic Positions

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Senior Lecturer (Grade I), Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020 - Present)

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Visiting Lecturer, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya (2019/2020)

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Visiting Lecturer, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2017)

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Visiting Lecturer, Department of Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2013/2014)

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Leadership & Service

Administrative Positions

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Head, Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021 - Present)

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Member, Council, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021 - Present)

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Member, Senate, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2016 - Present)

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Coordinator, Faculty Quality Assurance Cell, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)

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Member, Management Committee, Staff Development Centre, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)

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Member, Faculty Curriculum Development Committee, Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024)

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Chairman, University Website Management Committee, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019 - 2022)

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Coordinator, Unit of International Affairs, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018 - 2021)

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Member, Management Committee, Unit of International Affairs, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019 - Present)

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Student Counsellor, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019 - 2021)

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Scholarship

Publications & Research

Books3
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (2025). Fundamental Teachings of Buddhism. Divulapitiya: Saraswathi Publications.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (2026). Essays in Buddhist Epistemology & Ethics. Divulapitiya: Saraswathi Publications.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (2026). බෞද්ධ පූජා චාරිත්‍රවල උපදේශනාත්මක පදනම. Divulapitiya: Saraswathi Publications.
Edited Books / Volumes5
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (Ed.). (2023). Pravacana Reviewed Journal, 14th Edition. Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (Ed.). (2023). Academic Journal of Buddhist Studies: Buddhist Civilization II. Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (Ed.). (2022). Saṅgāyanā: A Collection of Research Articles on Contemporary Religious Challenges. Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  4. Wimalathissa, K. (Ed.). (2022). Academic Journal of Buddhist Studies: Buddhist Epistemology II. Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  5. Wimalathissa, K. (Ed.). (2018). Pravacana Reviewed Journal, 9th Edition. Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed)10
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (2013). Buddhist View on the Qualities that Should Be Cultivated by a Good Psychological Counsellor. Pravacana, 4(1), 234-252.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Scientific Findings on the Health Benefits of Meditation. A Buddhist Approach to Healthy Living, Vietnam Buddhist University Series 23, 225-237.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). The Role of the Buddha as a Psychological Counselor. Pravacana, 5(2), 336-368.
  4. Wimalathissa, K. (2016). Effectiveness of Buddhist Counselling Techniques for Stress Reduction. Pravacana, 7(1), 537-573.
  5. Wimalathissa, K. (2016). Buddhist Perspective on Mental Stress. Pravacana, 7(2).
  6. Wimalathissa, K. (2019). Need and Want: The Buddhist Perspective on Moderation of One’s Consumption for Sustainable Development. Vietnam Buddhist University Series, 195-213.
  7. Wimalathissa, K. (2020). Therapeutic Basis of Mindfulness for Stress Management: Practical Guidance Based on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta. Pravacana, 11(1), 111-148.
  8. Wimalathissa, K. (2025). The Buddhist Perspective on the Significance of Emotion Regulation for Mental and Physical Wellbeing. Cultivating Inner Peace for World Peace, Vol. 1, 559-582.
  9. Wimalathissa, K. (2025). Buddhaghosa Thera’s Hermeneutical Arguments in Aṭṭhasālinī to Establish the Abhidhamma as the Authoritative Word of the Buddha. Pravacana.
  10. Wimalathissa, K. (2026). Early Buddhist Depictions of the Individual’s Mind and Mental Functioning: An Analytical Study. Pravacana.
Articles in Academic Journals (Selected)5
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (2022). Challenges Faced by the Saṅgha Institution in Contemporary Sri Lanka. Saṅgāyanā, Department of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (2018). Scientific Research Findings on the Health Benefits of Meditation. Prabuddha Academic Journal.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (2019). Early Buddhist Teachings on Rebirth. Prabuddha Academic Journal.
  4. Wimalathissa, K. (2019). Drug Use, Social Decline and Buddhist Teachings. Modern Social Problems.
  5. Wimalathissa, K. (2025). A Brief Study of the Relevance of Modern Sri Lankan Monastic Education to the Fulfilment of Monastic Objectives. Piriven Academic Journal.
Conference Papers (National)5
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Buddhism-Based Mindfulness Training for the Enhancement of Psychological Well-Being in Sri Lankans. National Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). A Study of the Contribution of Sri Lankan Buddhism to the Development of Theravāda Buddhism in Vietnam in Early Times and Its Present Status. National Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (2013). Need for a Stable System to Study Tipiṭaka in Pirivena Education. National Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  4. Wimalathissa, K. (2013). A Scientific Approach to Traditional Meditation Practices of Sri Lanka. National Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  5. Wimalathissa, K. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Mental Training to Develop Mental Health and Productivity of Sri Lankans. National Conference on Buddhism: Utility and Validity for the Modern Lifestyle.
Conference Papers (International)8
  1. Wimalathissa, K. (2018). A Study of Kathāvatthu Issues Having No Direct Link to Abhidhamma Teaching. International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Wimalathissa, K. (2015). Buddhist Views on Healthy Leadership. International Buddhist Conference on Buddhism for Future Human Civilization, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  3. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Buddhism in the Global Context and Lack of Well-Trained Buddhist Missionaries. International Buddhist Conference on International Exchange of Buddhism in the Global Context, Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy.
  4. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). An Analysis on Artistic Creations Connected with Stupa. International Buddhist Conference on Buddhist Stupa, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
  5. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Making the Best of Things: The Buddhist Perspective on Individual Contributions for Saving the Environment. International Conference - iPURSE, University of Peradeniya.
  6. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Can Arahantship Be Recognized? Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka.
  7. Wimalathissa, K. (2014). Scientific Findings on the Health Benefits of Meditation. United Nations Day of Vesak International Buddhist Conference.
  8. Wimalathissa, K. (2019). Need and Want: The Buddhist Perspective on Moderation of One’s Consumption for Sustainable Development. United Nations Day of Vesak International Buddhist Conference.
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Expertise

Fields of Interest

Buddhist Philosophy→Buddhist Counselling→Buddhist Meditation→Buddhist Epistemology→Buddhist Ethics→Theravāda Buddhist Studies→Mindfulness and Mental Well-Being→
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Professional Engagement

Memberships

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Member, Sri Lanka Association of Buddhist Studies (SLAB)

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Lifetime Member, Sri Lanka Oriental Studies Society (2005 - Present)

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