Here is a booklet where the Buddha’s own definitions of the Four Noble Truths and the Path are quoted and explained by the venerable author who, as a senior member of the Sangha (Order) in Burma, was both deeply learned and well practised in meditation. This handbook of the Noble Eightfold Path contains all the path-factors clearly described according to the most ancient Buddhist tradition, which has come down to us from the enlightened disciples of the Buddha to the great teachers of the present day in the Buddhist countries of Southeast Asia.
Now it only remains to thoroughly learn the definitions of the path-factors and, of course, to practise them. Then one will be competent to answer questions convincingly since one’s own conduct does not depart from Dhamma.
This work was written by the Venerable Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw in Burmese and was later translated into English by U Saw Tun Teik, an advocate in Rangoon. The Union Buddha Sasana Council issued this book after revision by their English Editorial Board in 1961, but due to later events in Burma it has long been hard to find.
In making it available once again this opportunity has been taken to rewrite it in a form more easily read by Western people, omitting most of the Pali words which are found in the first edition. Venerable Nyanaponika Mahathera encouraged me to take up this work, gave every helpful advice, and sent me his copy of the first edition to work on. Also, some sections from the venerable author’s Sammaditthi-dipani (The Manual of Right View) have been included in the revised edition. In places where the venerable author’s explanations are too brief some expansions of his statements have been added by the editor. MsSVig
Now it only remains to thoroughly learn the definitions of the path-factors and, of course, to practise them. Then one will be competent to answer questions convincingly since one’s own conduct does not depart from Dhamma.
This work was written by the Venerable Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw in Burmese and was later translated into English by U Saw Tun Teik, an advocate in Rangoon. The Union Buddha Sasana Council issued this book after revision by their English Editorial Board in 1961, but due to later events in Burma it has long been hard to find.
In making it available once again this opportunity has been taken to rewrite it in a form more easily read by Western people, omitting most of the Pali words which are found in the first edition. Venerable Nyanaponika Mahathera encouraged me to take up this work, gave every helpful advice, and sent me his copy of the first edition to work on. Also, some sections from the venerable author’s Sammaditthi-dipani (The Manual of Right View) have been included in the revised edition. In places where the venerable author’s explanations are too brief some expansions of his statements have been added by the editor. MsSVig
