Our Principals
Ven. H Kondanna Thera
(Since October 2024)
Venerable H. Kondanna Thera is currently the Abbot of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara, New York, and has served as Principal of BISDS since October 2024.
Venerable is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who received novice ordination in 1968 and underwent monastic training in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He earned a BA in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Kelaniya. In 1985, he moved to the USA to serve at the New York Buddhist Vihara while attending the City University of New York (CUNY), where he earned a BS in Social Work. He later completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) at Fordham University in 1997.
Venerable believes that human beings should grow up with a spiritual foundation and aims to enrich the lives of others through his contributions, experiences, and philosophy.
Ven. K. Siridhamma Thera
(2009 - 2021)
Venerable K. Siridhamma Thera has been a resident monk of the Buddhist Maha Vihara since 2004 and actively contributed to the temple’s spiritual programs and community outreach efforts. From 2009 to 2021, he served as Principal of BISDS, where he played a key role in shaping and delivering Dhamma education to children and youth.
Venerable also served as Principal of the Diploma Program, run in collaboration with the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (BAPU). This program promoted Buddhist and Pali studies both locally and internationally, with qualifications recognized across many Commonwealth countries.
In addition, Venerable served as an advisor to the Friends of the Vihara (FOV), a volunteer group supporting temple activities and encouraging daily Dhamma practice. He also served on the Board of CABE, BISDS’s research arm, which focused on quality curricula and educator training.
Ven. K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera
(1988 / 1994 - 2008 / 2022 – Sept 2024)
Ven. K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera was appointed Principal of BISDS in 1988. After serving for a year, he left for the USA. In 1994, he resumed the post and remained until 2008. In January 2009, he handed over the helm to Ven. K. Siridhamma Thera to focus on his responsibilities as Chief High Priest. In 2009, he became the Spiritual Advisor of BISDS, a position he still holds.
During his tenure as Principal of the School, Venerable tirelessly propagated the Dhamma. In 1995, with his blessing, Mandarin adult Dhamma classes began. He also 31 founded BISDS Youths, whose members have undertaken many projects and engaged with other Buddhist organizations. Under his leadership, BISDS became one of Malaysia’s leading Buddhist schools. Students population crossed the 1000 mark and the school occupied the newly built Wisma Dharma Cakra.
The Venerable has served as the Spiritual Advisor to BISDS since 2009 and assumed the role of Acting Deputy Principal (2022 to Sept 2024) following the departure of Venerable Siridhamma Thera in 2021.
Venerable is also the founder and Spiritual Adviser of Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, established in 1994 to serve the underprivileged regardless of race or religion across the country.
Ven. K. Vijitha Thera
(1989 - 1993)
Ven. K. Vijitha Thera was ordained as a Samanera in 1976 and continued his training in Sri Lanka. He received Higher Ordination in 1982 under the tutelage of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda and other senior monks. He further trained at the Paramadhamma Buddhist Institute before returning to Malaysia in 1988.
Venerable served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1989 to 1993, working closely with staff to introduce improvements to the school. During his tenure, the old school building was demolished, and classes were temporarily held in tents around the Vihara. Construction of Wisma Dharma Cakra faced delays due to funding shortages. In response, he organized a jogathon in 1990 to raise funds for the building.
Venerable is currently a resident monk at the Brickfields Buddhist Vihara.
Ven. Kirima Wimalajothi Nayaka Maha Thera
(1980 – 1987)
Ven. Kirima Wimalajothi Nayaka Maha Thera served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1980 to 1987. He was responsible for rejuvenating the school and introduced improved teaching methods that made learning the Dhamma more enjoyable. More activities were organized within the Vihara grounds, and outdoor activities were encouraged. An able organizer, Venerable raised funds for the construction of Wisma Sri Dhamma, the annexe building, and the first phase of Wisma Dharma Cakra. He also established Tadika Sudharma, a kindergarten operating on weekdays at the school premises.
During his tenure, teacher recruitment and training programmes began actively. Venerable later left for Singapore and continued his Dhammadutta in Sri Lanka, where he founded the Buddhist Cultural Centre—a one-stop bookshop offering Buddhist books in English and Sinhala, along with educational and cultural items. He also managed a meditation centre and a training centre for Bhikkhunis.
Ven. Horapawita Hemasiri Thera
(1974 – 1979)
Ven. Horapawita Hemasiri Thera served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1974 to 1979. His tenure marked one of the most challenging periods in the school’s history, yet through his leadership and dedication, the school survived. Student enrolment declined drastically—from 400 to just 80. Facilities deteriorated, with some classrooms left empty or rented to a tuition centre. Parts of the school premises were also used for other activities at the Vihara.
Teaching methods and materials were outdated and in need of revision to keep pace with the changing educational landscape in the country. Despite these difficulties, the Venerable remained committed to sustaining the school and its mission. Venerable later left for Singapore and eventually returned to Sri Lanka.
Ven. Kotawila Sri Pemaloka Nayaka Maha Thera
(1968 - 1974)
Ven. Kotawila Sri Pemaloka Nayaka Maha Thera was Principal of the Sunday School from 1968 to 1974. He increased student enrolment beyond 400 through a professional approach and raised the profile of Prize Giving Day by inviting dignitaries.
Together with the staff, he helped organize the Buddhist Youth Seminar, which led to the formation of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM), an umbrella body for Buddhist youth groups. During his tenure, the school published its first magazine, “Ehi Passiko”, introduced a school motto, and the badge was designed.
The Venerable later continued his Dhammadutta work in Sri Lanka and Singapore, where he headed Buddhist centres in both countries. He also authored several books, including “Buddhism for Beginners”, “Life of the Buddha”, and “The Buddha as in Early Buddhism”, which continue to serve as valuable resources for students and practitioners alike.
Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Nayaka Maha Thera
(1958 - 1968)
Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Nayaka Maha Thera served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1958 to 1968. He revolutionized the way the Dhamma was taught and delivered hundreds of talks across Malaysia at universities, colleges, schools, and Buddhist centres. He worked tirelessly to establish Buddhist societies in institutions of higher learning and conducted regular Sunday classes at the Vihara for undergraduates.
To reach those in remote areas, he authored a correspondence course titled Buddhism for You, which became very popular—even attracting students from the USA. He personally marked all submitted assignments.
In 1968, he left for the USA after ten years of dedicated Dhammadutta work. Though his unconventional teaching methods drew both praise and criticism, his efforts significantly contributed to the growth of Buddhist youth activities in Malaysia and left a lasting impact on Buddhist education in the country.
The Late Ven. P. Pemaratana Nayaka Maha Thera
(1955 - 1957)
The late Ven. P. Pemaratana Nayaka Maha Thera served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1955 to 1957. During his tenure, he actively nurtured the study of Pali among students and encouraged a deeper understanding of the Dhamma. He supported the work of Ven. Dhammananda by delivering Dhamma talks in both English and Hokkien, helping reach a wider audience.
A firm believer in the proper and systematic study of Buddhism, Venerable advocated using written examinations to assess students’ knowledge at different levels. In 1957, he left Kuala Lumpur to reside at the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Penang, where he became the Sunday School Principal and was later appointed Chief Monk.
The Venerable was also the Chairman of the Malaysian Buddhist Examination Syndicate that administers the Buddhist examinations for Preliminary, Junior, and Senior stages in Malaysia.
The Late Ven V. Mirisse Pannasiri Nayaka Maha Thera
(1952 - 1954)
The late Ven. V. Mirisse Pannasiri Nayaka Maha Thera arrived in Kuala Lumpur in 1950 as a resident monk and served as Principal of the Sunday School from 1952 to 1954. He continued much of the post-war revival work initiated by the late Ven. M. Dhammadassi Thera at both the temple and the school.
Recognising the challenges faced by students, Venerable introduced a school bus service to transport them to and from classes. However, growing enrolment placed financial strain on the temple’s limited resources. In response, he appealed to parents and devotees for donations, which helped sustain the temple and school during those difficult years.
Venerable also contributed to improving the temple grounds. Eventually, he returned to Sri Lanka and was succeeded by the late Ven. P. Pemaratana.
The Late Ven. Malinduwa Dhammadassi Thera
(1929 - 1948)
The late Ven. Malinduwa Dhammadassi Thera founded the Sunday School in 1929 and served as its Principal until 1948. His principle of offering free education continues to this day. A monk from the forest tradition in Sri Lanka, he taught children under the shade of the Bodhi Tree. The school began with just 12 Sinhala children and lessons taught were Buddhism and the Sinhala language.
During the Japanese occupation, Sunday School operations ceased, but the temple remained a place of solace for devotees. The Venerable obtained dry rations from the Japanese and distributed them to those in need. Times were so difficult that, when no dana was offered, he would pluck jackfruits from the temple grounds and cook them with rice.
After the occupation, Venerable had shaded areas built within the temple compound to accommodate the growing number of students. In 1950, he returned to Sri Lanka, where he later passed away.