The NEBV & MC was established in 2004 under the direction of Ven. Aluthgama Dhammajothi Thero, to provide Buddhist philosophy and spiritual guidance to the community. Starting from a very humble beginning the center has grown in to the current status due to the generosity and hard work of the members of the community and the resident monks.

Through our organization, we offer you an opportunity to read and learn about Buddhism in the Theravada tradition. Theravada (Pali: Thera=elders, vada=doctrine) or the “doctrine of the elders” represents the school of Buddhism that draws spiritual inspiration from the Pali Canon (or “Tripitaka”) generally accepted by scholars as the oldest record of Buddha’s teachings.

NEBV & MC sits on a serene location on a hill top surrounded by a / acre wooded area in the town of Grafton which is a semi-rural town in central Massachusetts lying southeast of the city of Worcester. The center provides the following Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) services.

  • Weekly (Wednesday) meditation program conducted in English
  • Monthly Sila observances
  • Weekly Dhamma school and summer Dhamma camp for children
  • Special meditation retreats by resident and visiting monks
  • Vassana (rainy season retreat) observances and conducting weekly Dhamma sermons during this period
  • Dhamma educational workshops for college students – sponsored by leading universities in the area
  • Invitational Dhamma discussions and speeches by the resident monks in schools
  • Buddhist religious celebrations such as Vesak and Katina ceremonies
  • Pali Language class
  • Cultural activities

All the services at the center are offered free of charge in an environment of deep caring and understanding. This non-profit center is maintained by voluntary donations from the center’s Dhamma community.


Meet the Resident Monk

Bhante Pannasiri was born in Angunukolapelassa in Hambanthota, Sri Lanka. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk on March 11th 1998 and received his higher ordination in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Buddhism and Buddhist Philosophy in 2011 and completed his Masters of Arts degree (M.A) in Buddhist Philosophy  in 2013. He worked as a religious lecturer/counselor at the National Drug Prevention Operation Unit at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. Since arriving at NEBV & MC in Grafton, MA, he has been working as a resident monk, conducting religious activities at the center.