Pure Inspiration

Ven. K. Pemasiri – 11
wishes (appicchā) is something we can all hold in high esteem.
He relinquished things to get the maximum benefit from
consistently practising detachment. His mental elements were
extremely pacified and this manifested in moderation and
contentment. Having seen such people as Ven. Ñāṇavimala
practising as the Buddha taught, really encourages one and is a
boost to the monk’s life.
Ven. Ñāṇavimala was satisfied with whatever he received. He
would go around barefoot and carried just three robes, his
almsbowl and a sitting cloth. In keeping with the requisites, he
had a thread and needle and also carried a piece of soap
wrapped in a jack leaf. Whether you prepared a very
comfortable place for him or whether he had to sleep on the
floor, it was all the same to him.
Sometimes, whilst on cārikā when he stopped at temples for the
night, they would not allow him to stay in the main building, but
would offer him the dānasāla or verandah floor, but he did not
mind. When he wasn’t given a place to stay in temples, he stayed
in churches, schools or village halls. The first time he went on
cārikā, it was very difficult for him, but on subsequent walking
tours, after people got to know him, it became less difficult and
he would be offered places to stay. He told me he visited just
about every village in Sri Lanka and once remarked "Sri Lanka
is such a small island country”.