Meet the Teacher

Shawn O’Rourke

Shawn O’Rourke has practiced meditation since 1999. He has experience in several techniques within the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, specializing in the Theravada lineage. Shawn has trained with many great teachers such as: Bhante Pinnagoda Rahula, Bhante Kovida and Thich Phap Hoa. Shawn has spent thousands of hours on a meditation cushion and attended retreats conducted by some well-known practitioners including Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, and Thich Nhat Hanh.

Meditation Styles

Accreditations

My Preceptor

Bhante Pinnagoda Rahula was born in Kalutara, Sri Lanka in 1975. He received his novice ordination as a Buddhist monk at the age of 13 in 1988. He finished his primary education in Gallena Rajamaha Vihara Pirivena in Warakagoda, Sri Lanka and then went on to get his higher ordination in 1996 residing at the Bodhimalu Viharaya in Pugoda, Sri Lanka.

After receiving his undergraduate degree at the University of Peradeniya he went on to get his Masters at the Buddhist and Pali University in Colombo.

In 1995 he entered the Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena in Kelaniya and finished the Vidyalankara final examinations with his first class thesis on Buddhism and Discipline. In addition, he also received the Pandit degree in 1996 with top marks, placing him first in the whole island for his knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala.

He was a teacher at the Ganalankara Bikkhu training centre in Peradeniya and Vidyaravindra Maha Pirivena, Gampaha from 1998 to 2000.  He was involved in Buddhist missionary activities in the U.S for three years until August 2003 when he was invited by the Windsor Sri Lankan Buddhists to establish the Windsor Buddhist Vihara and become its first President and Chief Resident Monk.