That is the dedication of the book The Hermit of Būndala. It says: “To all sages of Būndala”. It means that this book has not been written only with appreciation of what Ven. Ñāṇavīra wrote or spoke, but to all those who decided to dedicate their lives to the realisation of Dhamma. Some of those tried to emulate Ven. Ñāṇavīra's life with the inspiration to live in the Būndala kuṭi. Those monks of early times were also the first ones who worked on collecting and preparing Ven. Ñāṇavīra's papers to be shared among other seekers of the truth. We would not be able to know anything about the Venerable author without their effort which was not without challenges. Some of those hermits with great zeal likely realized Dhamma for themselves; they are the real hermits. But the “Hermits of Būndala” are not just those hermits from that kuṭi in Būndala National Park, but all those who are inspired to live the life according to the Buddha's advice and who, despite the difficulties, try their best to recognize that which is described in Ven. Ñāṇavīra's writings. Some of those people inspire others, encourage them and guide them on that path. And there are many others who actually have the courage to take uneasy paths for the sake of realizing freedom. This book is dedicated to all those men and women. The book The Hermit of Bundala is not just a biography of Ven. Ñāṇavīra, but an invitation for you all to be 'the Hermits' and say “The point is this: for me the Dhamma is real, and it is the only thing that I take seriously.” (CtP, L. 57)

Today would be Ven. Ñāṇavīra 94^th birthday and in commemoration of this day, Path Press Publications has published his long-awaited biography, The Hermit of Būndala.

Bhikkhu H. Ñāṇasuci