[1] After four years he left formal education at 11 in order to train for a noviceship at a temple in Kosinna, Rambukkana District.

Three months later, he was brought home by his father when a letter was sent saying that one of the temple youths had injured Gunaratana's wrist with a rock.

He remained home for short time before leaving again, in January 1939, for another temple in Malandeniya Village, Kurunegala District.

Impressing his teacher, Venerable Kiribatkumbure Sonuttara Mahathera, with the progress of his religious education he was soon ordained as a novice at 12 with the permission of his father.

[7] During this time in India, through his work with the Venerable Pannatissa, Gunaratana met with several dignitaries such as Prime Minister Nehru, Mahendra of Nepal, and the Dalai Lama over the course of 1956.

[1] In May 1975 after graduating, the State Department reached out to Bhante Gunaratana at the conclusion of the Vietnam War to comfort and minister to ten thousand newly arrived Vietnamese refugees in Florida.

Over the next four months at Eglin Air Force Base, Gunaratana held devotional services, English classes, and gave blessings to newlyweds at the refugee camp.