Most Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero A Tribute to ‘The Little Big Monk’

It is really a very strange feeling, when I try to think that he is no more, for the very reason that his everlasting smile with which he would accept anyone who would come before him and making the visitor at ease.  No matter how much I try to convince myself that he is not there, but I feel his presence everywhere. For me, he is there and all what he had left behind have made him an immortal, compelling everyone to feel, that the little things he thought that he was doing for the mankind, are there, making all feel their significance forever to be seen and felt everywhere.
The most venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero was so special that he became a symbol of quality in whatever that was humanly possible for one to do. The respect and the understanding he had towards age old traditions did not prevent him from uninterruptedly receptive to understanding and grasping their impact so naturally that all those became practices that added on colour and meaning to what he did. He was the ‘Podi Hamuduruwo’, the ‘Little Monk’ to all because without everyone knowing that it was the way to think of such a lovable and an adorable symbol of leadership that had become an everlasting radiance to all, bringing in a kind change, which showed who was behind it.
It was his indefatigable nature that consolidated everything he touched and the respect he commanded was blended with love and affection to all.

Childhood and the Beginning

He was born on December 14, 1943 in Matara district in a closely-knit family and was known as Galaboda Kankanamge Don Karunarathne. His childhood was a blissful one with five siblings, with whom he learned what was important to be happy. He completed his early education at the school of Kapudoova in Galaboda. 
It was destined for him to become a Novice Monk at a very tender age  of eight  and came to Colombo to live in Gangaramaya temple under Devundara Ven. Vachissara Thero who was the Chief Incumbent of the temple, who became his teacher and by the year 1959, when he was around sixteen years of age, he came to be known as ‘Podi Hamuduruwo’ the Little Monk. As the Chief Incumbent fell ill and became disabled, more and more responsibilities fell on Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara, with the involvement of administration of the temple and it naturally got him involved in handling the matters related to the temple. That opened the opportunities for him to become aware of the responsibilities of balancing the needs of this famous  temple, from such a young age. 

Taking Challenges from Early Age

The first challenge he was compelled to face was the responsibility of looking after the Chief Incumbent Devundara Ven. Vachissara Thero who was ailing. The exposure he got in that capacity became a practical education that made him very confident in managing matters in a materialistic world. 
One good thing that prevented him from failing during challenges was the most benevolent and exceptionally valuable influence he was fortunate to receive from a gentlemen like Ranjith Wijewardena who headed the family that always stood by him and the temple at the times of need. ln a way, that set an example for the other patron families around.
With the demise of the Chief Incumbent, he became fully responsible to always hold high the esteem of the Temple. Being in a residential area of esteemed and influential families who were always prepared to take part in any development work related to this, he turned it into a shining exemplary place for worship.
A more matured and energetic Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thero steered the future of the temple towards a time that was challenged by a variety of negative influences, to hoist it to reach the standards to be fit to become one of the most leading temple in Colombo District while gaining a reputation as serious learning centre for visiting Buddhists of all possible social categories involving not only the simple tourists but also the international dignitaries of both ascetic as well as lay backgrounds. 
His quality, it was nothing new for a Buddhist as it was expressed by the guidance- ‘Ujupatipanna’ and he was never subdued by any force. He became known for his character of “straight forwardness’.. That made his movements more effective and forceful. But, that did not distance him from the people for whom he was doing all for. All the disciples who followed him did so with commitment and no projects failed as a result. Now it has become a tradition that has been a special kind of training he willingly allowed to be practiced by all who followed him. He was very happy to note that everything was as he aspired and even very much more effective and therefore better. It is really encouraging to note that he had left behind enough elements for leadership and the best example is Ven. Kirinde Assaji  Thero another exemplary Buddhist monk who is forging ahead with the ideals of our Most Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara. The understanding he developed of the way all matters that were revolving in an atmosphere where the Temple was brought to such a religious centre on to such a level, gave the confidence to his mentor,the Most Ven. GnanissaraThero. It was this natural growth that encouraged Ven. Gnanissara Thero that prompted him to be more realistic too. He, although a Buddhist monk who had given up all the worldly aspirations, who had very correctly understood the fact that, the role of a Buddhist monk is not just being an ascetic, completely concentrating in deep studies focused in serious aspects of the doctrine but also on the undeniable fact that all those ideals that shall be the end results, shall never be achieved unless proper materialistic and spiritual sustenance has also been achieved.