සිතුවම් සහිත ධම්මපදය - වේරගොඩ සාරද හිමි 1993.pdf

Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada is a comprehensive illustrated English presentation of the Dhammapada authored and published by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero, Chief Resident Monk of the Singapore Buddhist Meditation Centre. The work was edited by Mr. Edwin Ariyadasa, with illustrations by Mr. P. Wickramanayaka.

Regarded as a monumental publication, this work features all 423 verses of the Dhammapada, each paired with specially commissioned full-colour paintings illustrating the background narratives and ethical lessons of the stanzas. In addition to the translation, the work provides detailed explanations making the profound teachings accessible to readers globally.

Following its initial publication in November 1993, this second edition was published in May 1994 in Singapore for worldwide free distribution as a gift of Dhamma.

About the Author

Venerable Weragoda Sārada Mahā Thēro, the Author of The Treasury of Truth (Illustrated Dhammapada) was born in Sri Lanka in 1941. He was ordained a Buddhist monk in 1953, when he was just 12.

He graduated from the Vidyodaya University of Ceylon (Now Sri Jayawardenepura University, Sri Lanka) in 1964. Proficient in Pāli, Sanskrit, Sinhala and Buddhism, he was the Principal of Indurupathvila University College from 1965 to 1967 and also of Suddharmārama University College from 1967 to 1969.

Starting his mission of service to International Buddhism and to the spread of the Buddha-word worldwide, Ven. Sārada Mahā Thero, left Sri Lanka for Penang, Malaysia in 1969. There, he was Principal of the Mahindarama Sunday Pāli School until 1979.

In 1979, he came over to Singapore and founded The Singapore Buddhist Meditation Centre. Currently too he is the Chief Resident Monk of the Centre. One of the Founders of American Sri Lanka Buddhist Association, Ven. Sārada Thero is still the Director of that Association.

Ven. Sārada Mahā Thero is the Founder-President of Japan-Sri Lanka Buddhist Centre. He is currently the General-Secretary of that Association. He is the Chief Incumbent Monk of the Jayanthi Viharaya, Weragoda, Sri Lanka.

The most outstanding service Ven. Sārada Mahā Thero renders to the Teaching of the Buddha is the publication of books on Buddhism. About a million copies of Buddhist works published by him, have been distributed free, worldwide. Todate, he has published 68 books, of which six have been authored by him. These titles are: Why Fear Death?, The Buddha Word, Meditation on Loving Kindness, Buddhist Way of Meditation, Buddhism for Beginners and Life of the Buddha in Pictures. The last title has proved the most popular of his books so far. His magnum opus is the monumental Treasury of Truth, translation of Dhammapada adorned with 423, especially commissioned paintings illustrating each of the 423 verses in Dhammapada.

Preface (To the Second Edition)

The initial printing of “TREASURY OF TRUTH” - ‘Illustrated Dhammapada’, elicited an overwhelming response, from all quarters of the globe. Although we are reluctant to talk extensively about our achievement, the objective truth, has invariably to be stated. Immediately on its appearance, we were inundated by enquiries. With no resort even to an iota of exaggeration, it must be stated that the Singapore Buddhist Meditation Centre received over 2000 telephone calls in just one single day from enthusiasts who were keen to obtain copies of this work. Most of these enquiries were accompanied by generous offers of donations. In the history of Buddhist Publications, there has never been such a stunning phenomenon.

This solid and exuberant support, left us with no other alternative than to undertake a reprint of our publication. A reprint of a monumental work like the ‘Illustrated Dhammapada’ is as exacting an undertaking as its initial printing itself. We made use of this reprinting to insert a few refinements in the text and in its illustrations. Once again I had to count on a team of supporters to see to it that the reprint was brought out in record time. Above all, I am deeply indebted to all those enthusiastic supporters of this publication project who made this early reprint possible.

As author of this work I am deeply committed to the idea of spreading the word of the Buddha world-wide. This work, and all the other books I have been able to publish so far, are distributed free as gifts of Dhamma. But I have always had the blessing of generous donations from well-wishers, whose support ensures the continuation of my mission. The reprint of Illustrated Dhammapada, just a couple of months after it was published originally, is by and large a tribute to all those who thought it proper to make donations. May the blessings of the Triple Gem, bring about success, prosperity and long life to all those who associated themselves with the work at many levels.

With Metta.

Ven. W. Sarada Maha Thero
Singapore Buddhist Meditation Centre,
Singapore.
25th May 1994.

A Radiant Sun

In this world of storm and strife, hatred and violence, the message of the Buddha shines like a radiant sun. Perhaps at no time was that message more needed than in the world of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. Two thousand five hundred years have only added to the vitality and truth of that message. Let us remember that immortal message and try to fashion our thoughts and actions in the light of that teaching. We may face with equanimity even the terrors of the atomic bomb age and help a little in promoting right thinking and right action.

Sri Nehru - Former Prime Minister of India

Man who achieved a great victory

One of the first scholars to begin the work of translating the Pali Literature into English, was the son of a well-known clergyman. His object in undertaking the work was to prove the superiority of Christianity over Buddhism. He failed in this task but he achieved a greater victory than he expected. He became a Buddhist. We must never forget the happy chance which prompted him to undertake this work and thereby make the precious Dhamma available to thousands in the West. The name of this great scholar was Dr. Rhys Davids.

Ven. A. Mahinda, “Blue Print of Happiness”