Translator’s Note

Translator’s Note

It is not practical for a person seeking ordination in the Buddha sāsana or a young sāmacera to study the entire vinaya pitaka (disciplinary code). Therefore, a book of the nature of Shāsanāvataranaya is of immense  value  for  such a person to acquire an adequate knowledge of the bhikkhu practices.

Shāsanāvatharanaya is widely used for this purpose, particularly so by the Sri Kalyāni Yogāshrama Sansthā. There are several foreign (non Sinhala) bhikkhūs ordained in this Sansthā and lay foreigners seeking ordination as well as foreign bhikkhūs ordained elsewhere in the world and residing at āracya senāsana (monasteries) belonging to the Sansthā. Therefore, the need was felt for an English book of this nature and the idea to translate Shāsanāvatharanaya was conceived.

Venerable Angulgamuve Ariyananda thero with the blessings of the Agga Mahā Kammaiihānācārya the most venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahā Thero, the chief advisor of the Sri Kalyāni Yogāshrama Sansthā, requested me to undertake the task of translating this book. I was extremely pleased to make my small contribution, particularly because it is a book written by the most venerable professor Rerukane Chandavimala Mahā thero, some of whose books I have read and hence developed a great respect for the thero, although I was not fortunate enough to meet him during his lifetime. My thoughts at the time of undertaking this task, was by complete coincidence identical to that of the Maha thero in that “it would be sufficient reward, if at least a few bhikkhus accepted and followed the contents of this book.”

I wish to express my gratitude to several persons who helped me in numerous ways connected with this work.

1. Venerable Angulgamuve Ariyananda thero for identifying me as the suitable person to do the translation.
2. Venerable Meegoda Sanghsobhana Mahā thero for meticulously checking the translation and making several corrections and useful suggestions. His immense contribution has not only made the translation more accurate but also enhanced my knowledge in the spelling of Pali words in roman script.
3. My wife and two children who were always ready to suggest words when I met with difficulties in finding suitable
4. Agga Mahā Kamaiihānācārya the most venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Maha Thero who spent several hours with me explaining the meanings of over hundred words, which were not clear to me. I would never have completed this task without the assistance and guidance of this learned, virtuous, erudite bhikkhu.
5. My friend Mr. C. Batuwangala who went through the script and made
6. The most venerable Kirioruve Dhammanada mahā thero the president of the Sri Chandavimala Dhamma publications board who gave permission to undrtake the translation and also kindly took over the translation and arranged it to be studied by the scholar Mr. Viranjiva weerakkody.

7. Viranjiva weerakkody who studied the text and made suggestions and corrections.

May they all end suffering in the sansāra and attain Nibbana.

D.J.Percy Silva

223/25D Parklane Residencies Katuwana Road

Homagama. Sri Lanka.

14^th November 2012