Venerable Metteyya is a highly respected Buddhist monk, scholar, and humanitarian from Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha. His lifelong dedication to compassionate action has led to transformative contributions in education, environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, and Buddhist diplomacy. Ordained as a Theravāda monk, Bhante Metteyya has spent over 25 years developing projects that serve both his local community and the global Buddhist landscape. He founded Metta Schools, Karuna Girls’ College, Peace Grove Nunnery, and the Bodhi Institute for Peace Education, which together provide education and support to over 1,500 students annually. He also co-founded the Canadian Engaged Buddhism Association (CEBA)and the Alegría Dharma Centre in Costa Rica, extending his teachings and humanitarian work internationally. Recognized for his leadership, Bhante Metteyya served as Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust (2017–2023),appointed by the Nepalese government. In this role, he managed the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Buddha’s Birthplace, led international Buddhist conferences, and played a key role in the revitalization and completion of the Lumbini Development Master Plan. He also spearheaded the development and promotion of the Greater Lumbini Framework and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nomination Package for Buddha’s historic hometown of Kapilvastu (Tilaurakot), set to be submitted in June 2025. His efforts in cultural preservation and peacebuilding have earned him numerous national and international honours, including the Suprabal Janasevashree Tritiya Shreni, one of Nepal’s highest civilian awards. An accomplished academic, he holds a BA and MA in Buddhist Studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Buddhism at Lumbini Buddhist University. Though rooted in the Theravāda tradition and Vipassana meditation, Bhante Metteyya has also studied with Tibetan and Vietnamese Pure Land masters, enriching his approach to Buddhist teachings. His work has been featured in international documentaries, including The Buddha(PBS, 2010) and On Meditation (Snapdragon Films, 2014). A sought-after speaker, he has represented Nepal at global Buddhist summits and peace conferences, engaging in Buddhist diplomacy and interfaith dialogue worldwide. Bhante Metteyya continues to dedicate his life to the service of others, bridging ancient wisdom with modern needs to foster education, peace, and social change.

Venerable Metteyya Sakyputta was born in a small village in southern Nepal. As a young boy, he spent his days in the shade of an ancient Pipala tree, in the sacred garden of the Maya Devi Temple – the birthplace of the Buddha. Often he would remain there even through the night pondering the universe, how it worked, and about society and what he could do to inspire positive change.

As a middle school student, he was active in establishing environmental clubs, community and student service clubs, tutoring programs, scholarships, and a textbook donation drive for students who could not afford to buy their books or continue their studies. At the age of 15 he established his first school to serve underprivileged rural children in the surrounding areas. He has been supervising and leading the protection and restoration of a 256 hectare peace zone of wetlands surrounding the International Peace Pagoda in Lumbini for over 20 years. The Lumbini Crane Sanctuary is home to the tallest flying bird, the Sarus Crane, as well as numerous reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and amphibians.

He is the founder of the Lumbini Social Service Foundation (LSSF), and in addition to the Metta Gurukul School he has opened a branch Metta school (Punnihawa School) in a neighboring village, a school exclusively for rural girls (Karuna Girls School), a nunnery for young girls (Peace Grove Institute), and a peace education center and monastery (Bodhi Institute), all in his home community.

In all his work, Venerable Metteyya seeks to pioneer institutions where they are needed most. He engages the local community by training and employing local youth, empowering boys and girls, men and women, to be change-makers in their societies.

As Alegría becomes a sustainable meditation and retreat center, a percentage of its proceeds will go toward Venerable Metteyya's humanitarian efforts in Nepal. With your support, we can continue to educate and empower children and youth in the birthplace of the Buddha.