Difference between revisions of "Path Press"
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| − | '''[[Path Press]]''' is a non-profit [[entity]], which handles legal matters and holds the copyrights of all Ven. | + | '''[[Path Press]]''' is a non-profit [[entity]], which handles legal matters and holds the copyrights of all Ven. [[Ñāṇavīra Thera's]] writings together with some the writings from others; '''[[Path Press Publications]]''' is an {{Wiki|independent}} for-profit publisher of [[books]], [[Nanavira Thera]] [[Dhamma]] Page, and databases in the [[Buddhist philosophy]], and writings of Ven. [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] and [[Samanera]] [[Bodhesako]]. It has office in {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}. |
| − | The '''[[Path]] | + | The '''[[Path Press]]''' is also a [[society]] whose goal is to explain and spread the [[doctrine]] of the [[Buddha]]. It was founded in [[Sri Lanka]] in 1987 by [[Samanera Bodhesako]]. Originally [[conceived]] as a limited [[effort]] to publish Clearing the [[Path]] but later become an [[entity]] who is lolding copiright of [[writing]] of [[Ñanavíra Thera]] and it consist of the small group of 5 [[bhikkhus]] and 3 [[layman]] ([[upāsakas]]) who are aspiring to make late Ven. [[Ñanavíra]] [[Thera's]] teachings more available for those who are [[interested]]. |
==About== | ==About== | ||
| − | [[Path]] Press was a [[name]] of convenience, originally intended to include those who, through the years, have contributed their various talents to bring Clearing the [[Path]] to [[realization]]. [[Path]] | + | [[Path]] Press was a [[name]] of convenience, originally intended to include those who, through the years, have contributed their various talents to bring Clearing the [[Path]] to [[realization]]. [[Path Press]] was not planned to be an ongoing publishing house. However, it now turns out that there remains sufficient worthwhile materials from the writings of the [[Venerable]] Ven. [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] to issue other volumes to the {{Wiki|present}} work; and there are a few other writings, unpublished or now out of print, which, like Clearing the [[Path]], are of high [[quality]], worthy of publication or reprinting. Therefore it was established a publishing house, called '[[Path]] Press Publications'. |
| − | These writings are probably not commercially viable; nor do they represent the [[views]] of any established [[sect]], school or {{Wiki|university}} which might sponsor their publication. The [[idea]] has been put forward that inasmuch as [[Path]] | + | These writings are probably not commercially viable; nor do they represent the [[views]] of any established [[sect]], school or {{Wiki|university}} which might sponsor their publication. The [[idea]] has been put forward that inasmuch as [[Path Press]] has already published one [[book]] of this type it could use that [[experience]] as a basis for issuing those occasional writings which are of [[exceptional]] [[merit]] and yet do not attract established publishers. |
==Clearing the [[Path]] (1960–1965)== | ==Clearing the [[Path]] (1960–1965)== | ||
| − | Clearing the [[Path]] was the most important work for [[Path]] | + | Clearing the [[Path]] was the most important work for [[Path Press]]. |
| − | In 1963, Ñāṇavīra [[Thera]] completed a [[book]] called Notes on [[Dhamma]] (1960–1963), which was privately published by the Honourable Lionel Samaratunga in the same year (250 copies). Following production of that volume, the author amended and added to the text, leaving at his [[death]] an expanded typescript, indicated by the titular expansion of its dates, (1960–1965). Notes on [[Dhamma]] has been variously described as "[[arrogant]], scathing, and condescending", as "a fantastic system", and as "the most important [[book]] to be written in this century". | + | In 1963, [[Ñāṇavīra[[ [[Thera]] completed a [[book]] called Notes on [[Dhamma]] (1960–1963), which was privately published by the Honourable Lionel Samaratunga in the same year (250 copies). Following production of that volume, the author amended and added to the text, leaving at his [[death]] an expanded typescript, indicated by the titular expansion of its dates, (1960–1965). Notes on [[Dhamma]] has been variously described as "[[arrogant]], scathing, and condescending", as "a fantastic system", and as "the most important [[book]] to be written in this century". [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] himself remarked of the [[book]] that "it is vain to {{Wiki|hope}} that it is going to win general approval... but I do allow myself to {{Wiki|hope}} that a few {{Wiki|individuals}}... will have private transformations of their way of [[thinking]] as a result of reading them". |
And the influence of Notes on [[Dhamma]] on [[Buddhist]] thinkers continues [[to increase]] more than three decades after its publication. This [[book]] has aroused extreme [[interest]] and [[controversy]]. The Notes "attempt to provide an [[intellectual]] basis for the [[understanding]] of the [[Suttas]] without [[abandoning]] [[saddhā]] ([[faith]])"; that they "have been written with the {{Wiki|purpose}} of clearing away a {{Wiki|mass}} of [[dead]] {{Wiki|matter}} which is choking the [[Suttas]]"; and that, above all, "the Notes are designed to be an invitation to the reader to come and share the author's point of view". The Notes assume that the reader's sole [[interest]] in the [[Pali]] [[Suttas]] is a [[concern]] for his [[own]] {{Wiki|welfare}}. However, the Notes, with their admitted [[intellectual]] and {{Wiki|conceptual}} difficulties, are not the only way to discuss [[right view]] or to offer right-view guidance. | And the influence of Notes on [[Dhamma]] on [[Buddhist]] thinkers continues [[to increase]] more than three decades after its publication. This [[book]] has aroused extreme [[interest]] and [[controversy]]. The Notes "attempt to provide an [[intellectual]] basis for the [[understanding]] of the [[Suttas]] without [[abandoning]] [[saddhā]] ([[faith]])"; that they "have been written with the {{Wiki|purpose}} of clearing away a {{Wiki|mass}} of [[dead]] {{Wiki|matter}} which is choking the [[Suttas]]"; and that, above all, "the Notes are designed to be an invitation to the reader to come and share the author's point of view". The Notes assume that the reader's sole [[interest]] in the [[Pali]] [[Suttas]] is a [[concern]] for his [[own]] {{Wiki|welfare}}. However, the Notes, with their admitted [[intellectual]] and {{Wiki|conceptual}} difficulties, are not the only way to discuss [[right view]] or to offer right-view guidance. | ||
| − | Letters are a selection of 150 letters written by | + | Letters are a selection of 150 letters written by [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] from his [[kuti]] in the [[Bundala Forest Reserve]] to local and foreign readers of the Notes who had requested explanation and clarification. Some are thinly disguised {{Wiki|essays}} in a wholly {{Wiki|modern}} idiom. The letters which are collected and published in Clearing the [[Path]] are not only something of a commentary on the Notes; they are, {{Wiki|independently}}, a lucid [[discussion]] of how an {{Wiki|individual}} concerned fundamentally with self-disclosure deals with the {{Wiki|dilemma}} of finding himself in an intolerable situation, where the least undesirable alternative is [[suicide]]. |
| − | With [[openness]], [[calmness]], and considerable wit | + | With [[openness]], [[calmness]], and considerable wit [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] discusses with his correspondents ([[including]] his doctor, a [[judge]], a provincial businessman, a barrister, a [[British]] {{Wiki|diplomat}}, and another [[British]] citizen) the [[illnesses]] that plague him and what he can and cannot do about them, and about his [[own]] [[existence]]. His [[life]] as a [[Buddhist monk]] in a remote jungle abode is not incidental to the [[philosophy]] he expounds: the two are different aspects of the same thing, namely a [[vision]] that penetrates into the [[human]] situation both as [[universal]] and as particular, and [[recognizes]] that it is this situation which it is the business of each of us to resolve for ourselves. In presenting this view [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] offers a contemporary [[exposition]] of the [[Teaching of the Buddha]]. In living this view he evokes a dramatic situation wherein an {{Wiki|individual}} resolutely faces those questions which every lucid [[person]] must eventually face. The letters are in [[language]], idiom and quotations from a {{Wiki|galaxy}} of thinkers such as Camus, [[Wikipedia:Martin Heidegger|Heidegger]], {{Wiki|Kierkegaard}}, {{Wiki|Sartre}}, Kafka. Though familiar to a [[Western]] reader, it can be incomprehensible in part, to anyone without such background. |
| − | Most of the editorial work connected with | + | Most of the editorial work connected with [[Ñāṇavīra Thera's]] writings was performed by [[Sāmanera]] [[Bodhesako]] ([[Robert Smith]]), who [[died]] in [[Kathmandu]] in 1988. During the last years of his [[life]] in [[Sri Lanka]] he founded [[Path Press]] which published Clearing the [[Path]]: Writings of [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] (1960-1965). He also worked as editor for the [[Buddhist Publication Society]] in [[Kandy]] which published The Tragic, The Comic & The Personal: Selected Letters of [[Ñánavíra Thera]] ([[Wheel]] 339/341) in 1987. Prof. [[Forrest Williams]] of the {{Wiki|University of Colorado}} also participated as the co-editor of Clearing the [[Path]]. It is now out of print. The [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Centre decided to issue it in its two constituent parts, Notes on [[Dhamma]] and Letters. |
==[[Books]]== | ==[[Books]]== | ||
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==Websites== | ==Websites== | ||
| − | ::*www.nanavira.org - | + | ::*www.nanavira.org - [[Ñāṇavīra Thera]] [[Dhamma]] Page |
| − | ::*www.pathpress.org - [[Path]] | + | ::*www.pathpress.org - [[Path Press]] |
| − | ::*www.pathpresspublications.com - [[Path]] | + | ::*www.pathpresspublications.com - [[Path Press Publications]] |
| − | ::*www.nanavira.top-talk.net - Ñāṇavīra | + | ::*www.nanavira.top-talk.net - [Ñāṇavīra Thera]] [[Dhamma]] Page - Forum |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Organizations]] | [[Category:Buddhist Organizations]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:08, 17 February 2016
Path Press is a non-profit entity, which handles legal matters and holds the copyrights of all Ven. Ñāṇavīra Thera's writings together with some the writings from others; Path Press Publications is an independent for-profit publisher of books, Nanavira Thera Dhamma Page, and databases in the Buddhist philosophy, and writings of Ven. Ñāṇavīra Thera and Samanera Bodhesako. It has office in United Kingdom.
The Path Press is also a society whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. It was founded in Sri Lanka in 1987 by Samanera Bodhesako. Originally conceived as a limited effort to publish Clearing the Path but later become an entity who is lolding copiright of writing of Ñanavíra Thera and it consist of the small group of 5 bhikkhus and 3 layman (upāsakas) who are aspiring to make late Ven. Ñanavíra Thera's teachings more available for those who are interested.
About
Path Press was a name of convenience, originally intended to include those who, through the years, have contributed their various talents to bring Clearing the Path to realization. Path Press was not planned to be an ongoing publishing house. However, it now turns out that there remains sufficient worthwhile materials from the writings of the Venerable Ven. Ñāṇavīra Thera to issue other volumes to the present work; and there are a few other writings, unpublished or now out of print, which, like Clearing the Path, are of high quality, worthy of publication or reprinting. Therefore it was established a publishing house, called 'Path Press Publications'.
These writings are probably not commercially viable; nor do they represent the views of any established sect, school or university which might sponsor their publication. The idea has been put forward that inasmuch as Path Press has already published one book of this type it could use that experience as a basis for issuing those occasional writings which are of exceptional merit and yet do not attract established publishers.
Clearing the Path (1960–1965)
Clearing the Path was the most important work for Path Press.
In 1963, [[Ñāṇavīra[[ Thera completed a book called Notes on Dhamma (1960–1963), which was privately published by the Honourable Lionel Samaratunga in the same year (250 copies). Following production of that volume, the author amended and added to the text, leaving at his death an expanded typescript, indicated by the titular expansion of its dates, (1960–1965). Notes on Dhamma has been variously described as "arrogant, scathing, and condescending", as "a fantastic system", and as "the most important book to be written in this century". Ñāṇavīra Thera himself remarked of the book that "it is vain to hope that it is going to win general approval... but I do allow myself to hope that a few individuals... will have private transformations of their way of thinking as a result of reading them".
And the influence of Notes on Dhamma on Buddhist thinkers continues to increase more than three decades after its publication. This book has aroused extreme interest and controversy. The Notes "attempt to provide an intellectual basis for the understanding of the Suttas without abandoning saddhā (faith)"; that they "have been written with the purpose of clearing away a mass of dead matter which is choking the Suttas"; and that, above all, "the Notes are designed to be an invitation to the reader to come and share the author's point of view". The Notes assume that the reader's sole interest in the Pali Suttas is a concern for his own welfare. However, the Notes, with their admitted intellectual and conceptual difficulties, are not the only way to discuss right view or to offer right-view guidance.
Letters are a selection of 150 letters written by Ñāṇavīra Thera from his kuti in the Bundala Forest Reserve to local and foreign readers of the Notes who had requested explanation and clarification. Some are thinly disguised essays in a wholly modern idiom. The letters which are collected and published in Clearing the Path are not only something of a commentary on the Notes; they are, independently, a lucid discussion of how an individual concerned fundamentally with self-disclosure deals with the dilemma of finding himself in an intolerable situation, where the least undesirable alternative is suicide.
With openness, calmness, and considerable wit Ñāṇavīra Thera discusses with his correspondents (including his doctor, a judge, a provincial businessman, a barrister, a British diplomat, and another British citizen) the illnesses that plague him and what he can and cannot do about them, and about his own existence. His life as a Buddhist monk in a remote jungle abode is not incidental to the philosophy he expounds: the two are different aspects of the same thing, namely a vision that penetrates into the human situation both as universal and as particular, and recognizes that it is this situation which it is the business of each of us to resolve for ourselves. In presenting this view Ñāṇavīra Thera offers a contemporary exposition of the Teaching of the Buddha. In living this view he evokes a dramatic situation wherein an individual resolutely faces those questions which every lucid person must eventually face. The letters are in language, idiom and quotations from a galaxy of thinkers such as Camus, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Sartre, Kafka. Though familiar to a Western reader, it can be incomprehensible in part, to anyone without such background.
Most of the editorial work connected with Ñāṇavīra Thera's writings was performed by Sāmanera Bodhesako (Robert Smith), who died in Kathmandu in 1988. During the last years of his life in Sri Lanka he founded Path Press which published Clearing the Path: Writings of Ñāṇavīra Thera (1960-1965). He also worked as editor for the Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy which published The Tragic, The Comic & The Personal: Selected Letters of Ñánavíra Thera (Wheel 339/341) in 1987. Prof. Forrest Williams of the University of Colorado also participated as the co-editor of Clearing the Path. It is now out of print. The Buddhist Cultural Centre decided to issue it in its two constituent parts, Notes on Dhamma and Letters.
Books
- Notes on Dhamma, Path Press Publications, 2009, ISBN 9879460900013
- Letters to Sister Vajirā, Path Press Publications, 2010, ISBN 9879460900020
- Clearing the Path, Path Press, 1987 (out of print)
- Clearing the Path, Path Press Publications, 2011, ISBN 9879460900044 (forthcoming)
- Seeking the Path, Path Press Publications, 2011, ISBN 9879460900037 (forthcoming)
- The Tragic, the Comic, and Personal, BPS, 1987, ISBN 978-955-24-0000-1
- The Hermit of Bundala, by Bhikkhu H. Ñāṇasuci (forthcoming)
Websites
- www.nanavira.org - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page
- www.pathpress.org - Path Press
- www.pathpresspublications.com - Path Press Publications
- www.nanavira.top-talk.net - [Ñāṇavīra Thera]] Dhamma Page - Forum
