Born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Jan. 1948. Ven Ananda Thera studied Economic Sociology at the University of Amsterdam. He was Ordained in Sri Lanka in 1975 at Pagoda, Nugegoda, and practised meditation at Kanduboda Meditation Centre, in 1975 and 1976. In 1977, he received Higher Ordination received and stayed at Sri Vidya Vijaya Aramaya, Pagoda from 1975 onwards. From 1979 to 1984 he was a resident teacher at Rockhill International Meditation Centre. From 1982- now: Buddhist Delegate to Inter-religious living Dialogue, held in  Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Bali, Japan, Pakistan, France etc.