The talk recorded in this booklet deals in parti­cular with the special language which the Buddha, Gotama, used in teaching. The author has called this the Language of Dhamma. But since the Higher Truth or Dhamma is constant, independent of time, place, and teacher, the language in which it is discussed is to a large extent international. The language which the Buddha used in expounding the Dhamma has a lot in common with that which Jesus Christ used in teaching that same Dhamma. So, though this talk was intended specifically for a Buddhist audience, much of it is equally relevant and to the point in the context of Christianity or any other religion.

Our discourse today deals with the subject which you all know, which is : Dhamma — The World Saviour. Now we must realize that we have made the supposition that Dhamma is the world saviour. Therefore, by logic, it must be tenable that the world has to have Dhamma, so that Dhamma may protect or save the world. And what makes it possible for Dhamma to exist in the world ?.

I am pleased to deliver the SINCLAIRE THOMPSON MEMORIAL LECTURES, FIFTH SERIES, for it will help create an atmosphere of mutual understanding among the followers of both Christianity and Buddhism, and also make people understand their respective religions at the same time, for the audience here is both Buddhist and Christian.

The subject we shall discuss today is one which I feel everyone ought to recognize as pressing, namely the following two statements made by the Buddha: “Birth is perpetual suffering.” (Dukkha jati punap-punam) and “True happiness consists in eliminating the false idea of ‘I’.”

[PREFACE] The writer of this remarkable essay firmly believes that the gist of Buddhism can be presented in a brief compass: one does not need a long and complicated statement that few can understand. Here he presents the heart of the Buddhist message in its philosophical and psychological aspects.

This book, A Buddhist Charter, which consists of 136 proposed items, results from the 50 anniversary commemoration of Suan Mokkh on the Visakhapuja Day of 1982. The Venerable Than Achan Buddhadasa of Suan Mokkh drafted and presented motions to the Buddhist assembly there so that they would consider them and reach a common agreement which would become a practical guideline for Buddhists in general. The assembly consisted of two committees, one scripture or theory-oriented and the other proper social practice-oriented. The two committees joined forces in considering and refining the motions until they reached mutual satisfaction. Then, they declared the motions as a Buddhist charter.

[FORWARD] As a guide for newcomers to the Buddha-Dhamma (the Truth which the Buddha awakened to and subsequently taught), this book is an invaluable guide. In it are contained the essential teachings of Buddhism. The “Handbook” is especially useful for those who approach the Buddha’s teaching, not as a subject for scholarly study, but as means to understand and ennoble their lives.