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 Francisco
Born in 1981 in Alhama de Murcia. He has always been a spiritual person, but since 2017, he has been shaping his life around meditation and Buddhism.
Dhamma has brought him to this wonderful place, Panñagiri. His intention here is to practice seriously, and of course, to serve Dhamma and all others.
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.
Lay Community
Katiuska Acurio Moldiz
She was born in Cusco, Peru, a land of profound spiritual tradition, where the principles of righteousness —do not lie, do not steal, and do not live in idleness— form part of an ancestral ethic oriented toward harmony between humankind and its environment.
These values, aligned with Buddhist teachings, guide her life with clarity and purpose.
As a resident of the monastery, she cultivates a life based on discipline, mindfulness, and service, integrating daily work as a spiritual practice.
Her training as a fashion designer, as well as her development as an entrepreneur and writer, are placed at the service of the community, contributing creativity, organization, and commitment with an attitude of simplicity and presence.
Each project she undertakes stems from the right intention and a commitment to the common good, understanding work as a form of active meditation and service.