BUDDHA

by J.B. Disanayaka

This booklet is about the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, one of the greatest religions of our time. H.G.Wells, in his ‘Outline of History’ says that “it is clear and simple and in the closest harmony with modern ideas. It is beyond all dispute the achievement of one of the most penetrating intelligences the world has ever known” (p.315). Albert Einstein said that “if there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism”This booklet is an invitation to understand the Buddha, who was far ahead of his times. Since the life of the Buddha is sometimes covered with myth and legend, an attempt was made here to present the Buddha as a true historical figure who played a very important spiritual, social, philosophical and psychological role.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2013

About the author

Deshamanya Jayaratna Banda Dissanayake (Born 16 April 1937) is an Emeritus Professor and one of the leading authorities of the Sinhala Language. He is currently Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand.

Dissanayake received his primary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy, secondary education at Ananda College, he graduated from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya campus in 1961. He would later received a Fulbright scholarship to the University of California, Berkley to read for a Masters in linguistics and obtained a PhD from the University of Colombo.

With a long teaching career of over 40 years as a lecturer of the University of Colombo, he is the author of numerous books on linguistics, culture and history. Prior to his retirement Dissanayake served in the capacity of the Head of the Department of Sinhala at the University.