Rate My Professor Homagama Dhammananda Thero

Ven. Dr. Homagama Dhammananda Thero is the Most Venerable Chair Professor of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy in the Faculty of Buddhist Studies at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, where he also serves as Head of the Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy. He assumed duties as Vice Chancellor on May 5, 2025, after serving as Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies from 2024 to 2025. He is a member of the University Senate as Mahopadhyaya Chair Professor and the Faculty Board of Buddhist Studies. Previously, he was Senior Lecturer Grade II in Philosophy at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka since 2012, Lecturer from 2010 to 2012, Lecturer (probationary) from 2007 to 2010, and Lecturer (temporary) from 2006 to 2007 at Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University. Earlier, from 1993 to 2006, he worked as Assistant Teacher and Vice Principal at Pravachanodaya Maha Pirivena, Miiligoda, Wadduwa. He has held visiting lecturer positions in Sociology of Religion at the Department of Buddhist Culture, Buddhist and Pali University (2016), Philosophy of Mahayana for M.Phil. students at the Department of Philosophy and Psychology, University of Peradeniya (2017), and Philosophy at the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University (2018). Additionally, he served as External Examiner for Ph.D. at Buddhist and Pali University (2015) and Chief Marking Examiner for G.C.E. (A/L) Examinations in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Ven. Dr. Homagama Dhammananda Thero is the Chief Prelate of Kaluthara Maha Disawa and Parivenadipathi of Pravachanodaya Maha Pirivena.

His academic background includes a B.A. (Hons) in Philosophy from the University of Peradeniya (1995), Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Peradeniya (1998), M.Phil. in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2001), M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Delhi (2002), and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Peradeniya (2014). Research interests focus on Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, and Buddhist Ethics. Theses include "A Critical Study on Ethics, Truth and Knowledge" (B.A., 1995), "A field research on teaching learning difficulties using Dhammapada verses when teaching Buddhism" (Dip. in Edu., 1997), "A Critical Survey of Moral Philosophy in Early Buddhism and Kantian thought" (M.Phil., 2001), and "A Critical Study on Analytical philosophy in Buddhism" (Ph.D., 2014). Key publications comprise books such as "Bauddha ha Kantiyanu Sadachara Darshanaya: A Critical Survey of Moral Philosophy in Early Buddhism and Kantian thought" (S. Godage and Brothers, 2004, ISBN 955-20-6856-8) and "A Comparison of the Concept of Buddhist and Kantian Ethics" (Author Publication, 2017, ISBN 978-955-7887-28-9). He edited volumes including "Pravachana Sasthreeya Sangrahaya, Bauddha Suthra Addhyayanaya 01" (Buddhassravaka Bhiksu University, 2009/2010) and contributed articles like "Darshanika Gnanavibhagaya Pilibanda Bauddha Viggrahaya" (Sambhasha, 2000), "Karmaya, Punarbhavayasaha Antharabhavaya Pilibanda Darshanika Vivaranayak" (2000), "Budunvahansesaha Waidya Sevaya" (1999), "Indriya Prattyakshayasaha Atheendriya Prattyakshaya Pilibanda Bauddha Vivaranaya" (2003), and "Nirvanagamee Prathipadawehi Seelaya" (2004). A co-authored paper, "What Buddhist Social Work Can Do While Western-rooted Professional Social Work Cannot" (2021), appears on his Google Scholar profile.