Monastic Community
Ajahn Amaro: Spiritual Guide
Born in England and with an academic background in Psychology and Physiology, Ajahn Amaro embarked on a profound spiritual quest that led him to Thailand and his ordination as a monk (bhikkhu) under the guidance of Ajahn Chah. After a period in England, he co-founded Abhayagiri Monastery in California, where he served as Co-Abbot for many years. He later returned to Amaravati, assuming the position of Abbot. Although Ajahn Amaro does not reside at Paññagiri, in his role as spiritual guide, he offers his support and experience to assist the entire community in their spiritual practice and growth.
Ajahn Ñāṇadassano
Born in ancient Czechoslovakia in 1971 and raised in Latvia, Ajahn Ñāṇadassano converted to Buddhism in Prague in the late 1990s. His desire for ordination led him to Amaravati in 1999, where he received full ordination as a Bhikkhu in 2002. After completing his initial training at Chithurst and Wat Pah Nanachat, Ajahn Ñāṇadassano spent several years practicing in monasteries and hermitages in Europe and Asia. Following a period of travel and practice, he permanently settled in Amaravati in late 2015.
Ajahn Ñāṇadassano is the first monk to be established as a monastic at Paññāgirī. He will actively contribute to and lead the development of both the monastic and lay communities of this newly established monastery. Their dedication to the Dhamma, their practical experience, and their commitment to building a strong community will profoundly enrich the spiritual lives of all who come to Paññāgirī.
Anagārika Manuel
Deeply connected to the serenity of the Castilian steppe, Manuel felt drawn to the Dhamma like a traveller returning home. After more than twenty years of searching and practice, this inner yearning finally led him to Paññāgiri —Wisdom Mountain— where he has resided since the beginning of 2026 as an anagārika.
In Paññāgiri, he participates in community activities and the study of the Buddhadhamma, offering his presence as a living part of the shared aspiration toward awakening.
Anagārika Jorge
Jorge officially took the Eight Precepts in October 2025, with Luang Por Lai as his preceptor.
He graduated in July 2024 with a degree in Humanities from the University of Alicante. After years of reading books on Buddhism, he felt it was the right time to go to a monastery to practice and experience the Buddha’s teachings firsthand.
Feeling the energy within a small but deeply connected community like Paññāgirī, he felt the opportunity to embark on a spiritual path.