Sri Lanka, Jan. 26 -- North America's Chief Judicial Sanganayaka and Viharadhipathi of the Maryland Buddhist Temple in America, Ven Katugastota Uparathana Thera has made significant strides in spreading Buddhism across America for the past few decades. He has worked as a Consultant on meditation at the University of Washington and was also a former Consultant on the Sinhala Language and culture at the US State Department. Recently he was honoured with a prestigious lifetime award from former American President Joe Biden. Ven. Uparathana Thera reflected on his impactful journey in an interview with the Sunday Observer during his visit to Sri Lanka recently.

Ven Katugastota Uparathana Thera recalled, "I went to America in the early 1980s. ...