Birth of a Divine abode, leading to the vicinity of Nibbana.

On the 30th day of 1990, the renunciation of Mrs Swarna Gunarathna was announced and accordingly ordained as Dematagoda Swarna Sil Maniyanwahanse, while donating her residence and entire assets in the name of Buddha Sasana with the aim to provide the required environment to gain the spiritual bliss to masses.

Swarna Nayaka Maniyanwahanse was Born on 24th April 1939 in Colombo as Swarna Peris and was educated at Visakha Vidyalaya, a leading Buddhist Education Institute in Colombo. Later, married to Charles Gunarathne who hails from a very respectable family in Kurunegala. From her early days of youth, her disposition towards Buddha Dhamma was evident. Accordingly, she gained acquaintance and earned respect and regard from erudite Prelates, who were much venerated for their excellence on Dhamma,Vinaya, such as Most Ven Matara Gnanarama Maha Thero , Most Ven Maho Sumedha Thero, Most Ven Kadawadduwe Jinawana Maha Thero, Most Ven Kithulampitiye Vipularansi Thero and Most Ven Aggamahapanditha, Abhidhamma Visharadha Nauyane Ariyadhamma Maha Thero. With such rare Kalyanamittha guidance and grace, Maniyanwahanse blossomed with virtues to develop her insights and priesthood perfections.

The destiny paved the path, by the graceful visit by Most Ven Walane Amathagaveshi Nayaka Thero to her humble home at Kurunegala. Such grace was the turning point to the establishment of the holy abode of Daham Madura, which opened the doors for the secure oasis for Buddhist Nuns. Soon Ven Amathagavehi Thero’s regular guidance on Vipassana Meditation paved the way to lay devotees to develop their path to Nibbana through developing Virtues, Mindfulness and Insights. Thus, over the past three decades, Daham Madura evolved to be one of the most respected leading Organization dedicated to Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. With her leadership skills and devotion, Nayaka Maniyanwahanse also crowned this venerated Congregation with the conjoin of Thrividha Dhathu Chethiya.