Ven. Pemaratana became a Buddhist monk in 1986 at the age of 10 in Sri Lanka.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Buddhist Studies from the University of Peradeniya, a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the National University of Singapore, and Ph.D in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, USA.  Ven. Pemaratana is currently the Abbot of Pittsburgh Buddhist Centre.  He offers public workshops on meditation and provides spiritual counseling to help people deal with challenges in life.