A River of Wisdom
Our Lineage
Upholding an Unbroken Chain
The Transmission of Dhamma
The teachings of the Lord Buddha have been preserved and passed down through an unbroken lineage of enlightened masters. At Galduwa Aranya Senasana, we honour this sacred tradition, which ensures the purity and authenticity of the Dhamma. Our lineage is a river of wisdom, flowing from the Buddha himself through generations of dedicated practitioners to the present day.
Founding Father of the Tradition
Most Ven. Kadawedduwe
Sri Jinavamsa Mahāthēra
Founder & 2nd Chief Mentor (Maha Upajjhaya) · Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā
Ordained at the age of 13, Ven. Kadawedduwe Sri Jinavamsa Mahathera founded the Thebuvana Granthakara Pirivena (monk school) at the age of 25 and served as head instructor for over 20 years. He started the Yogāśrama Sanstha at the age of 45 and enjoyed a long life of 98 years.
Deeply believing that no riches of life could compare to vimukti (liberation) — the true goal of Buddhist meditation — he left his students and, accompanied by Ven. Gatamanne Vimalavamsa Thera, sought a fitting dwelling for deep meditation. On 18 June 1951, he established the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Sanstha, selecting Nimalawa Aranya Senasanaya in Kirinda as the first hermitage.
His conviction endured despite resistance from lay persons and monks alike. Today the Kalyani Yogasrama Sanstha stands as the largest forest sect of the Sri Lankan Sangha, with over 150 Aranya and more than 1,500 monks — a living testament to his unwavering dedication to the pure Dhamma.
◆ Founding Father & 2nd Chief Mentor (Maha Upajjhaya)
Succession of the Tradition
Chief Mentors (Maha Upajjhaya)
of Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā
Five distinguished Maha Upajjhaya (Chief Mentors) have guided the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā since its founding in 1951, each upholding the strictest standard of Vinaya and the authentic way of meditation rooted in the Pali Canon.
1st
Chief Mentor (Maha Upajjhaya)
Most Ven. Matara Sri Nanarama Mahāthēra
The first Chief Mentor of the Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā. Invited several times by the Founder and eventually accepting the role, he guided the tradition until 1992. He resided at Meethirigala Nissarana Vanaya, which became one of the tradition’s most revered hermitages.
2nd Chief Mentor & Founding Father
Most Ven. Kadawedduwe
Jinavamsa Mahāthēra
Founding Father of the tradition. Ordained at age 13, he established the Sanstha on 18 June 1951 and later served as its second Chief Mentor. He lived to the age of 98.
3rd Chief Mentor
Most Ven. Mawatagama
Gunananda Mahāthēra
Third Chief Mentor of Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā, continuing the tradition of rigorous Vinaya practice and meditative discipline established by the founders.
4th Chief Mentor
Most Ven. Nauyane
Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra
Fourth Chief Mentor of Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā, sustaining the unbroken lineage of forest monasticism and Vinaya discipline within the Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya tradition.
5th Chief Mentor · Current Head
Most Ven. Pahalavitiyala
Janānanda Mahāthēra
Current and fifth Chief Mentor (Maha Upajjhaya) and Head of Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā, presiding over the tradition’s more than 150 forest hermitages and 1,500 monks across Sri Lanka.
Across Sri Lanka
Notable Forest Hermitages
The Ambalangoda Galduva Aranya acts as the centre monastery facilitating ordination ceremonies. Over 150 Aranya are spread across Sri Lanka.
Ordination Centre
Galduva Aranya
Kahawa, Ambalangoda
First Hermitage
Nimalawa Aranya
Kirinda
Renowned Hermitage
Meethirigala
Nissarana Vanaya
Meethirigala
Hermitage
Nā Uyana Āranya
Matale
Hermitage
Kudumbigala Aranya
Eastern Province
Hermitage
Ruwangirikanda Aranya
Kurunegala
Learn from the Tradition
Explore the Teachings
Discover the timeless wisdom that has been passed down through our lineage. Access Dhamma talks, articles, and recommended readings.