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This is the entrance to a typical "Pansala," or Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The exact numbers of pansalas is unknown, but it is estimated that there are nearly 30,000 - enough for each village on the island to have at least one or two. The first Sri Lankan temple in America was founded in 1976 in Washington D. C. The second was the Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, which was founded in 1978. Since that time Buddhism in America has expanded - and so have the number of Sri Lankan immigrants who have moved to this land. As of 2009 there are 49 Sri Lankan Buddhist temples now in America that serve over 100,000 Sri Lankan families.
The Sri Lankan temples in America are open to anyone who wishes to learn about Buddhism, practice Buddhist meditation, or practice the Precepts. The monks who live in these temples are more than willing to share their knowledge with all who seek to know the Dhamma. It is a great gift to have these monks in America, and the gift of Dhamma they offer is like no other.
Buddhusaranai!