Gunapala’s remarkable dedication and generosity

 Gunapala first met Bhante in Auckland in early 1975, aged 20, when he attended the Ideal of Human Enlightenment lectures and a study weekend (Karma and rebirth and Nature of Existence).

He lived in the first men's community in Auckland, and was prompted in 1979, after Bhante's second visit, to move to London. He lived in Sukhavati and worked with Friends Building Service renovating properties to support the LBC.

In 1981 Gunapala moved to Croydon and helped convert a property on the High Street for Hockney's restaurant, a TBRL health food shop and the Croydon Buddhist Centre.

He was ordained in 1982, at Il Convento, and afterwards worked in TBRL in Brighton, mainly painting houses. In 1984 he took part in a door knocking appeal for Aid for India, and later moved to Vajrakuta, with Silaratna and Khemapala to help renovate the property for a study community and retreat centre.

After that, the three of them visited Dhardo Rinpoche in Kalimpong before going to Sydney where Gunapala helped convert a building on George street for the Sydney Buddhist centre.

Then he went to Wellington, and afterwards to Melbourne to help establish the Buddhist centre there. In 1989 he had a longer visit in India before coming back to the UK, where he helped renovate one of the barns at Vajraloka into a dining room.

On his way back to Australia, Gunapala stopped by Aryaloka US retreat centre and lived a short while in the men's community. In 1992, after two years in Melbourne, he and Silaratna decided to go to Guyhaloka, where Gunapala stayed till 2001.

Gunapala supported ordination retreats, but was also involved with building work; on the mandala huts and solitary huts, and helped in Valencia, converting a shop for the Evolution team and renovated a building for a Buddhist Centre.

From 2001-2005, Gunapala worked with the Ordination Team at Padmaloka, and in 2005 moved to Edinburgh to help with the renovation of a building for the Edinburgh Buddhist Centre.

In 2006, he married Maitrihridaya, and they started a family. Now, 18 years on, with three daughters, Gunapala has been diagnosed with a form of lung disease; Pulmonary Fibrosis; scarring of the lungs; caused by inflammation. The scarring reduces the amount of oxygen he's able to get; so breathing is getting more difficult and laboured. The cause of the inflammation is not known but his doctors think it's quite likely related to years of building work and exposure to dust.

He's now unable to work, and although he has a small pension, his wife Maitrihridaya is trying to support the family as they navigate the uncertainty of the prognosis. In recent months, Gunapala has lost considerable weight and strength so friends are gathering around and asking, 'how can we help?' Practical help is very welcome, and for the next wee while, financial help would be very much appreciated, to gather resources and work out what other support is available.

Much love and thanks, Maitrihridaya

Donate now from within the UK here or in AUS Dollars here, US Dollars here or Euros here. Thank you.