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A monk’s example
By D.C Ranatunga
With a copy of The Sunday Times Plus in his hand, a Sri Lankan living in Singapore turned up at the solitary temple in the distant village of Girihelkada on the Kataragama-Lunuvehera road. He met the young resident monk and offered him any form of assistance he needed, so impressed was he with the young monk's efforts to improve the lot of the peasant families in the village.

He had read with interest how the monk had transformed the village from one full of kasippu and other reprehensible activities to a decent place to live in, so much so that the village is now known as mathin thora gama.

The young monk, Vijithapure Gunananda Thera told the visitor that his interest was to build up the growing generation. They were going to schools nearby but needed additional help in their studies. The monk had already started an English class with the help of a teacher nearby. He was keen to improve their knowledge of science and mathematics. The visitor promptly agreed and today, the children are getting additional lessons in these subjects free of charge. The teachers are paid a handsome allowance thanks to the visitor from Singapore.

The visitor, Daya Satarasinghe now drops by the village every time he is in Sri Lanka. When we revisited Girihelkada last week, the monk was busy getting ready for a free medical clinic. The Tissamaharama Lions Club had organised a full day's clinic on April 24th with the participation of several specialists. "The villagers hardly get any form of a medical check-up. They never go to the hospital unless they are very sick. It's such a hassle. The clinic will be very useful particularly to identify any illnesses among the children," the monk said.

Since our last visit, we noticed a big change in the vegetation. "I try to set an example to the villagers by growing trees. I give the lead and they follow," the monk said. A variety of medicinal plants are growing in his compound.

Water is no problem after the installation of the pump gifted by a few benefactors. The same group had given a solar powered unit capable of lighting five bulbs. The monk is no longer worried about the villagers being attacked by serpents while they worship at the bodhiya.

The monk continues his simple lifestyle. His abode is still the wattle and daub single room kutiya. He meets visitors on the verandah. A separate dana salawa - also a wattle and daub hut - has been built for the devotees to offer alms. A teenager from the village has been ordained and is being trained to take over any day Gunananda Thera decides to leave. The novice monk is being sent to a pirivena at Tissamaharama for his dhamma studies.

Gunananda Thera is happy with the progress in the village. Most of the villagers lead a peaceful life cultivating. Facilities in the three schools around the village have improved following assistance from the Murali-Vaas-Kushil Gunasekera Foundation. Incidentally, Kushil was instrumental in building 32 cottages for the people under the auspices of his Colombo Rotary Club a few years back.

Over a hundred pupils attend the daham pasela conducted by Gunananda Thera in the temple premises. Classes are held in the half-walled wattle and daub hall and under trees.

Having enjoyed a hurriedly arranged treat with the nearby village folk serving mung kevum, alu dodol, kolikuttu and a cup of ranavara with hakuru, we left with pleasant memories of an evening well spent with a monk striving to guide many on principles of Pan Sil.

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