Spiritual Directors

Born in Malaysia, Venerable Mahinda was ordained in 1976 as a Buddhist monk under the tutelage of the late Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thera.

He undertook basic Buddhist studies and training in Sri Lanka and trained in Buddhist meditation under several masters in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar and Thailand. He has also been inspired by Mahayana masters from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, as well as Vajrayana masters from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and India. His attendance at international conferences and interfaith dialogues has taken him to more than 30 countries.

With the support of the Australian Buddhist Mission (ABM), Venerable Mahinda has been teaching Buddhism and meditation as well as conducting retreats and sessions on the Central Coast, in Sydney, Newcastle and around Australia for more than 35 years.

Venerable Mahinda is Abbot of the Aloka Meditation Centre, Founder and Spiritual Director of Australian Buddhist Mission Inc. (ABM) and Spiritual Advisor to the Aloka Community Inc. (ACI). He is also General Advisor to the Buddhist Missionary Society, Malaysia; Founder and Spiritual Director of Aloka Foundation, Malaysia; and advisor to a number of other Buddhist organisations in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore

Sister Sumitra

Sister Sumitra has supported Venerable Mahinda in his Dhamma activities since 1983 and currently assists him at the Aloka Meditation Centre in teaching meditation and its application in daily life for the benefit of individuals, society and Buddhism at large. Sister Sumitra has also practised meditation under various teachers of different traditions