Food instead of Medicine

Cultivating Minds and Enterprises

At the heart of Umandawa Global Buddhist Village is the visionary leadership of Siri Samanthabhadra Arahath Maha Thero. Recognizing that many within the Sri Lankan community remain confined by conventional thinking, the Thero has initiated a powerful movement to inspire a paradigm shift.
Through groundbreaking entrepreneurship training programs, Umandawa has evolved into a dynamic incubator for agricultural and culinary innovation. The Maha Thero encourages individuals to think outside the box, beautifully bridging profound spiritual wisdom with practical, modern agribusiness. Under his guidance, local communities are learning to transform raw agricultural yields into value-added, novel products. From organic farming and sustainable crop cultivation to advanced dairy production and innovative health foods, Umandawa serves as the foundational seed for a new era of Sri Lankan enterprise.

This initiative goes beyond traditional charity; it is about empowering people to become self-reliant creators. By breaking away from outdated mindsets, Sri Lankans are being equipped to share fresh, high-quality innovations with the global market. For both local and international visitors, Siri Samanthabhadra Maha Thero stands as a profound spiritual pillar—one who practically demonstrates that true awakening involves deeply nourishing both the mind and the community’s sustainable prosperity.