About us

Arathi – A Journey Beyond Time

Embracing the Path of Inner Awakening

When I stepped onto the spiritual path, it wasn’t just about wearing robes—it was a decision to let go of the world’s expectations. Despite access to education, technology, and modern comforts, a deeper question persisted: not what I could become, but how I should live.

At twenty, I faced a choice—higher ordination or a return to lay life. With my Tibetan friend, Dr. Sonam, I left Sri Lanka for the monasteries and silent caves of the Himalayas. There, I discovered two truths: monkhood, although ancient, remains profoundly relevant, and to live it fully today, one must detach not from the world itself, but from its illusions.

Although I had earned degrees and gained recognition through art and media, real joy came from the silence under the Nillambe forest canopy. Stripped of possessions, I encountered a joy deeper than any applause.

Yet, the monkhood I once revered seemed bound by the very structures it intended to transcend. If I were to remain a monk, I had to live differently—not in rejection of the world, but in service to its soul.

Thus began Arathi—a community for those devoted to the Dhamma. In 1994, we founded the “Buddhist Youth Service,” uniting six traditions under one mission: to live simply, serve deeply, and awaken fully. From islands on the Mahaweli River to global stages, the journey persisted.

Today, after decades of seeking, I stand ready to awaken a new generation—one that walks the ancient path with a modern heart. This is more than a story. It is a call.