Mihiri Tillakaratne (she/her) is an associate editor at Lion’s Roar. She has a PhD in Ethnic Studies and Gender, Women, and Sexuality (UC Berkeley), a M.A. in Ethnic Studies (UC Berkeley), and a M.A. in Asian American Studies (UCLA). She learned Pali and studied Sinhala Buddhist nationalism in post-independence Sri Lanka at Harvard. Mihiri is the director of I Take Refuge, a documentary on Sri Lankan American Buddhist identity, and the founder of Sri Lankan Americans for Social Justice.
Mihiri Tillakaratne
Recent Articles
“May We Gather” Buddhist memorial and pilgrimage honors Asian American ancestors
Lion’s Roar associate editor Mihiri Tillakaratne reports on the 2024 “May We Gather” event in Antioch, California, which marked the three-year memorial of the Atlanta-area spa shootings.
I’m the Aunty Now!
For Mihiri Tillakaratne, “aunty” is a verb. It’s what she does to support and shape her community.
Lessons on the Three Poisons from Barbie and Ken
Following the <em>Barbie</em> film’s win for best song with “I’m Just Ken” at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards, associate editor Mihiri Tillakaratne explores what Ken's journey teaches us about Buddhism's three poisons: craving, anger, and ignorance.
Buddhas and bodhisattvas inspire at Norton Simon Museum’s “Benevolent Beings”
Lion’s Roar associate editors Mihiri Tillakaratne and Noel Alumit visit the “Benevolent Beings” exhibition at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California.
Study reveals experiences of Asian American Buddhists practicing in non-Asian dominant spaces
Lion’s Roar associate editor Mihiri Tillakaratne reports on the key findings from a new study on how Asian American Buddhists shape identity and create community while practicing in non-Asian dominant spaces conducted by the Asian American Buddhist Working Group.
Liberation for All Women
What are the challenges for today’s Buddhist women, and how can they be overcome? Mihiri Tillakaratne discusses these pressing questions with Lama Karma Chotso, Arisika Razak, Sharon Suh, and Brooke Schedneck.
AAPI Month: LGBTQ+ Asian American Buddhists
This week, for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, we're exploring stories by and about queer Asian American Buddhists.
AAPI Month: Asian American Buddhist Activism and Solidarity
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, we’re sharing articles by and about Asian American Buddhists from our archives.
AAPI Month: Asian American Histories, Buddhism, and the United States
This week, for AAPI Heritage Month, we're exploring how Asian American histories intersect with Buddhist and U.S. histories.
AAPI Month: Exploring the Inner Lives of Asian American Buddhists
This week, for AAPI Heritage Month, we're exploring the personal narratives of Asian American Buddhists.
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, we're sharing articles by and about Asian American Buddhists from our archives.
The Buddha’s Mnemonic Device
Associate Editor Mihiri Tillakaratne introduces the May 2023 Issue of Lion's Roar.
May We Gather: Buddhists Unite Against Anti-Asian Violence and Racism
Read a selection of wisdom shared by Buddhist leaders at "May We Gather: A National Buddhist Memorial Ceremony for Asian American Ancestors."
Acerca de la práctica de la paciencia, del homenaje budista May We Gather para los ancestros asiáticos-americanos
En el reciente homenaje “May We Gather” [que reunamos], ofrecido en apoyo a la comunidad asiática-americana tras la balacera ocurrida el 16 de Marzo en Atlanta, Bhante Sanathavihari habló acerca de nuestra capacidad para desarrollar sabiduría y compasión incluso frente a lo insoportable.
“May We Gather” Buddhist memorial ceremony offers Asian American community space to heal
Lion's Roar associate editor Mihiri Tillakaratne reports on "May We Gather," the national Buddhist memorial Ceremony for Asian American ancestors.