PREFACE
to the Second Edition
This anthology was first issued in 1952, in cyclostyled form. The production of it had been undertaken as a personal labour of love and devotion by Mr. D. V. P. Weerasinghe of Bandarawela (Ceylon). Since the limited number of copies produced was soon exhausted, there were, throughout the years, repeated requests for a reprint of this work. This new edition was finally undertaken at the request of Mrs. Irene R. Quittner of London, who has defrayed the costs of printing.
In parts of the present edition, wherever it appeared preferable, some of the earlier terminology and phrasings have been replaced by those chosen in the Venerable Author’s later works, i.e., for Part I, in his translation of the Majjhima Nikãya (in manuscript) and for Part II, in his translation of the Visuddhi Magga.
The Venerable Author, a Bhikkhu of English descent, passed away, on 8th March, 1960, aged 55,—a deep-felt loss to the Sangha and to Pali scholarship.
August, 1964. The Editor.
CONTENTS
PART I……Anapanasati Sutta; Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 118 and notes
PART II……Commentary on the Sutta, being commentarial explanation and instructions for practice, and notes. (From Visuddhi Magga and Papancasudani)
PART III……Analysis of the kinds of knowledge acquired through respiration-mindfulness, and notes, (From Patisambhida Magga)
PART IV……Passages from other Suttas concerning respiration-mindfulness, and notes