This writer was one of the first good writers on Theravada that I studied around 1989 I think. Just found this pdf of one of his books published in 1959.
Edit. Just skimming it now and on page 155 he writes: ">
When we have understood the theory (Pariyatti), that is to say, accepted it in our minds as a reasonable mode of transforming this Consciousness to the Supramundane (Lokuttara) state of Nibbana, only then would we think seriously of the practice (Patipatti),"
“Transforming this consciousness to … nibbana”, is clumsy wording to say the least!
That’s excellent, Robert. Thank you for sharing it.
That’s very true, but we do have to cut the author a little slack—he was writing that in the 1950’s afterall!
And there are definitely some gems in there. Published in '59, most physical copies of it are probably either decrepit by now or badly decaying. It’s nice to have it available in some format, so it’s good that you posted it. It probably would never have been re-printed, and in today’s environment*, the chance that it ever will be is infinitesimally small. All physical copies of the book will be gone forever soon, so it is nice to have it available to us in some format.
Yes the book is very useful except for a slip or 2 like the one I mentioned.
This is from the foreword by an eminent Bhikkhu of the time:
That Mr. Baptist has produced a book on the Abhidhamma itself is the more creditable, because he was formerly a communicant of the Church of Rome, and also belongs to the Burgher community. Notwithstanding these handicaps, he has assimilated the spirit and culture of this country, and with energy (Viriya), produced other books too, on Buddhism, one at least being translated into a foreign tongue — Japanese, at the Risso University, Tokyo. A rare achievement for one who has been a Buddhist for only just six years: proof indeed, this is, if proof be needed of the Doctrine of Re-birth itself. Mr. Baptist’s devotion to the Dhamma is astounding, for he is saturated with the love of the Sublime Teaching.
Burgher people, also known simply as Burghers, are a small Eurasian ethnic group in Sri Lanka descended from Portuguese, Dutch, British[3][4] and other Europeans who settled in Ceylon.[5] The Portuguese and Dutch had held some of the maritime provinces of the island for centuries before the advent of the British Empire.[6][7][8] Burgher people are often referred to as belonging to one of two sub-groups, either Dutch Burghers or Portuguese Burghers, though both are of mixed descent.
He apparently had a regular slot on Radio Ceylon around 1958 (and probably for many years)
The preface says
hearing me preach over the Radio one day, she made bold to write to me through Radio Ceylon, asking if I would please help her understand the Buddha Dhamma.
As we are discussing the great merits of the Jataka Commentary on other threads I add this section from the preface by Egerton:
Notwithstanding the fact that Kamma brings us in contact with many good old friends and kinsmen as we wander in the Samsara, who perhaps might be with us at the moment of Full-Awakening, of Full- Enlightenment. I am not also unmindful of the fact that Kamma, can, and often does, place us in the midst of those who, through the ages have been, and perhaps now are inimical towards those very aspirations for the fulfillment of which we have for long been striving. Gotama, as a Bodhisatta, had his share of all this and more in ample measure, as the Jatakas clearly reveal, for we find that he was often associated with his bitterest enemy, Devadatta, and his followers in many a birth; indeed, for wife too, he sometimes had women who were more prone to hinder than to assist, and, even betray. And, strangely enough, when the Hour of Full-Awakening struck, they were all there, the understanding friends and loved ones of former times who had come to cheer, while his erstwhile enemies stood by to jeer, Yet, such are the experiences that lead eventually to Buddhahood, […]
I have been no exception to the rule, for even kith and kin come to scoff, while good and understanding friends, in admiration stand by to cheer. The vicissitudes of life, however, far from damping my enthusiasm, shall spur me on to greater efforts that might hasten the fulfillment of the Glorious Hour. For though like village children they all flock from far and near, some to spit, and others to shower praise, I shall always strive to be indifferent both to pain and praise.
That’s really interesting. And I thought the same thing today (that he had a lot of viriya!) when I looked up what books he wrote, and I saw that he authored a number of books (it’s hard to find a complete list, though).
