Nilamba-Meditatation-Center

Ranjith Daluwatta

Dhamma Talks in Sinhala given at the Meditation Centre at Nilamba by Hon Mr Nishantha Upul Gamage Nilamba Meditation Center Beginnings In the late 1970s a group of  friends from Kandy used to meet twice a week at the engineer’s bungalow at Peradeniya University for meditation sittings.The leader of the group was  Mr. Ratnayaka (Chief, we used to call him) and the others were Godwin Samararatana, Bhante S. Dhammika, Dr. Parakrama Fernando, Prof. Lily De Silva, Pat Jayatilleke and Prof. Witanachchi. In time they all become friends and discussed the possibilities of having  their own purpose-built place for meditation, although this seemed like to ever happen. In 1977  the university authorities asked this   group to vacate the engineer’s bungalow so it could be used for other purposes. Just before this happened a prosperous Kandian businessman, Mr. P. B. Alahakoon   and his wife, became regulars at the meditation sessions. When the group vacated the bungalow Mr. Alahakoon  offered, not just to donate land  to build a meditation centre but to pay for the construction of buildings as well. With  his ‘can do’ practicality  and enthusiasm  the project was soon completed. When the centre was finished, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein, who just happened to be visiting Sri Lanka, were invited to conduct the inorgral meditation course which some 60 local and foreign meditators attended. At that time the centre consisted of a single hall with an attached kitchen and for at least the first 18 months meditators both meditated and slept in the hall. As the first meditation course was judged a success it was decided to hold regular courses. As there was no teacher Bhante Dhammika  started conducting 10 day courses from the 1st of each month and gradually word spread that Nilambe was a pleasant place to meditate in. 1n 1979 Godwin Samaratatna retired from his job and came to Nilambe as a manager. Being a quiet, gentle and naturally meditative person, he gradually  evolved  into a teacher. Over the next 20 years Nilambe gained an international reputation mainly because of Godwin’s exceptional personality. Through various ups and downs  the centre had to endure, and there had been  a few serious ones, Godwin kept his balance, smiling through the difficulties,  and the centre prevailed. Indeed it flourished. Now, over a decade after Godwin’s passing, people who benefited from  his wisdom and compassion remember Nilambe with fondness. Many return periodically to revitalize their practice.   VISIT THE CENTRE WEB               

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