"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles"
Who We Are
The American Sri Lankan Buddhist Association, established in the early 1999s as a 501c3 non-profit organization, has been a cornerstone in promoting mindfulness, spiritual growth, and community strength. Our center offers various programs including free meditation classes, discussions on Buddhist philosophy and its application for a fulfilling life, educational classes for children, personalized youth and family counseling, annual retreats and spiritual services. Serving Staten Islanders and the tri-state area, our mission is to foster peace, harmony, and personal development through Buddhist principles. Our programs empower individuals and families to realize their potential by embracing the concept of “self-awakening.”
We are committed to nurturing family values and building a supportive community fabric. Our dedicated volunteers, resident monks, and visiting monks offer their services daily, providing guidance and education to all ages. Our Sunday School program focuses on cultivating positive attitudes, self-discipline, and concentration in children and youth. We have successfully helped prevent substance abuse and other harmful behaviors, advocating for self-respect and respect towards others. Our center also plays a pivotal role in community life, offering blessings and counseling for life’s milestones and challenges
Board of Directors
Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna
President
Ven. Pinnagala Pangnatissa Thero
Deputy Secretary
Ven. Siyambalagoda Ananda Thero
Mr. Chandana Manoj Goonewardene
Secretary
Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna
President
Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna
President
Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna
President
Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna
President
Our Volunteers
The Staten Island Meditation Center and Healing Garden is an almost entirely volunteer run base organization. To help deliver our programs, we rely greatly on a small but committed group of individuals, some of whom are listed here.
Click here to view our current volunteer needs
If you would like to be a volunteer at SIMCHH, please fill out volunteer form
The Board of Directors of the Staten Island Meditation Center and Healing Garden wishes to express profound appreciation for all of the volunteers whose talent and determined service make this center conceivable.
Feel free to email
Feel free to drop us an email. We welcome your inquiries and look forward to hearing from you!