Rate My Professor Medawachchiye Dammajothi Thero

Ven. Senior Professor Medawachchiye Dammajothi Thero is a prominent Theravada Buddhist monk and scholar in Buddhist philosophy and comparative studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy (Chinese medium) from the University of Nanjing, China, in 2004; M.Phil. in Sanskrit Dasabhumikasutra from the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (PGIPBS), University of Kelaniya, in 2001; M.A. (English medium) from PGIPBS, University of Kelaniya, in 2007; and B.A. Honors (First Class) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 1997. Additional qualifications include a Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education from the University of Colombo (2006), a Chinese Language Course from the University of Nanjing (2000), and an English Language Program from the University of Wales (2012).

As Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies and Director of the Confucius Institute at the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, he has advanced Buddhist education and research. He served as the ninth Director of PGIPBS, University of Kelaniya, from 2019 to 2025, during which he led the construction of the institute's first permanent building, including the 'Jothi' auditorium, supported by philanthropists and staff amid economic difficulties. His research focuses on interpretations of Sunyata (emptiness) in Pali literature and Chinese Buddhism, Yogācāra philosophy, and related concepts. He has authored 14 books, such as 'The Concept of Emptiness in Pali Literature' (2009, English), '巴利文佛教 无我 和 空性 概念 Anatta in Pali Buddhism and the Concept of Svabhavasunyata' (2009, Chinese), 'cmka fn!oaO b;sydih yd iïm%odh' (2017, Sinhala), and 'Modern Chinese Language Part I and II' (2011). Notable peer-reviewed articles include 'Mind Only or Ideation Only? An Examination of Yogācāra Philosophy and Its Chinese Interpretation' (Anveshana, Vol. 4, 2014), 'Interpretation of Sunyata in China – from ‘Ben wu’ to ‘Xing kong’ and ‘Zixiu’' (Anveshana, Vol. 3, 2011), 'Peace Building and Reconciliation from the Perspective of Buddhism' (2013), and contributions to journals like Contemporary Buddhism (2008) and Journal of Anhui University (2004). In 2022, he received the honorary title ‘Aggamaha Ganthavaachaka Panditha’ from the Government of Myanmar for academic excellence in Theravada Buddhism.