Pure Inspiration

Ven. K. Pemasiri – 12
I recall being in Arankele and the monks were discussing
Dhamma with Ven. Ñāṇavimala. He could answer all of their
questions. At that time, I didn’t know anything about these
subjects, they were just words to me. Discussions about
cetovimutti (liberation through mind) and paññāvimutti
(liberation through wisdom) were very interesting, even though
I didn’t understand them. The other monks became quite worked
up during the discussions, but Ven. Ñāṇavimala remained calm
and answered their questions in a very relaxed manner.
Any advice I received from Ven. Ñāṇavimala was mostly about
mettā, karunā and khanti (loving-kindness, compassion and
patience). He also suggested that I practise ānāpānasati
(mindfulness of breathing). He didn't say very much to me.
Maybe he spoke to me at the level I could understand at that
time. Later, when I had studied the scriptures and had more
knowledge, he didn’t speak of those earlier topics. When I was
very young, he would often speak about the value of ordination.
Whenever I met him, Ven. Ñāṇavimala only spoke about some
aspect of the Dhamma. There was no worldly talk at all.
No matter where he went, he would keep up the same routine.
Mostly, he did not take the food offered in a temple, but would
go on almsround. If you read books about monks in ancient
times, it was similar to that. He had minimum requirements. I
can’t say too much about his spiritual attainments, but only give
my impressions. Some people talk about monks these days with
high qualities, but in comparison with Ven. Ñāṇavimala, it is