To Nibbana The Noble Eightfold Path

Author By - Mahasi Sayadaw Gyi

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To Nibbana The Noble Eightfold Path

Published Date - 2015

Buddha Date - 2559

Myanmar Date - 1377

AD Date - 2015

Author By - Mahasi Sayadaw Gyi

95 စာမျက်နှာ

FOREWORD TO SECOND EDITION

 

The Venerable Mahasi Sayadawgyi had delivered the discourse on “Nibbana via the Noble Eightfold Path” for the first time on 2nd waxing of Tawthalin, 1323 B.E (22nd August 1971) at the Ariyavasa Dhamma Hall near Moe Kaung Pagoda, Yangon. He had delivered the same discourse several times in various places, including Mahasi Meditation Centre, at Yangon, and other townships as well. This discourse was tape- recorded and after the written draft was edited by Mahasi Sayadaw, the first Myanmar edition was published in 1339, B.E. (June 1977). Up to now, this Myanmar Edition has run into fifth edition. Mahasi Sayadawgyi in delivering this discourse, made reference to Subhadda Sutta which described the queries made by one ascetic “Subhadda” and the answers given by Lord Buddha on the eve of Maha Parinibbana.


In effect it is the last sermon of Lord Buddha. Sayadawgyi had discoursed this Sutta with the aim of yogis and meditators realising Nibbana, by means of the Noble Eightfold Path, which was also explained by Lord Buddha as the first sermon soon after his enlightenment, as the Dhammacakka sutta preached to first group of five monks. In order for the foreign yogis and meditators to study, the Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization had entrusted this discourse in Myanmar to Sayagyi U Htin Fatt (Pen Name-Maung Htin) (1909-2006) to translate into English.


The first English translated work was published in December 1980. Sayagyi U Htin Fatt was one of the prominent English translators, who was requested to translate a number of Discourses of Mahasi Sayadawgyi, and one of his translated work was this Sutta. He had completed the translation despite his ill health. However, he was hospitalised for removal of cataracts in both eyes in 1994, and was able to check his manuscript only in 1998, that is, 18 years after publication of the first edition. He discovered that his translations had suffered from many printing errors. Fortunately, he had corrected these errors and made some revisions of certain paragraphs, all completed in April 1999.


The first Edition of English Book was out of print for sometimes and the Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization has now published it after 35 years as the Second Edition, changing the title as “Nibbana Via the Noble Eightfold Path” as amended by U Htin Fatt, incorporating the corrections made by him. The Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization takes this opportunity to tender our heart full thanks to Sayagyi U Htin Fatt who made this discourse available for the English readers. 


The original Myanmar Edition and English Edition also included discourses on Saraniya Dhamma and Mahapaccavekkhana. However, to provide an easy reading in this edition, we have left these two discourses which are to be printed separately. In this edition, we included a photo of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadawgyi and a brief sketch of his biography as well. We had also corrected some printing errors and omissions of the First Edition. 


A very comprehensive introduction to the discourses was made by Bhaddanta Janakabhivansa of Yatanapon Sasana Yeiktha, Sein Ban Quarter, Mandalay, was included in the First Myanmar Edition. This introduction, unfortunately had not been translated into English by Sayagyi U Htin Fatt. However, a short synopsis was prepared admirably by U Min Swe, the then Secretary of Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization and was included in the First English Edition. 


Since the appropriate extracts of this introduction was again included in this Second Edition, with the slight change in the title of the first discourse, we do not repeat anything about this discourse, and we conclude our remarks with our prayers for all living beings to be able to realise eternal peace of Nibbana by the Noble Eightfold Path with constant and diligent practice of Insight Meditation.

 

Dr.Tint Soe Lin

President

Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization

May 2015


Nibbana Via

The Noble Eightfold Path

This copy is Second Edition published in May 2015 in which the grammar, punctuations and spellings of English/ English Pali words were corrected during September 2018 for the next Edition.

(1) English words corrected by “ Microsoft Words” in computer by Ma Soe Soe on 28.8.2018 and checked by U Khin Maung Oo on 29.8.2018 and - -8.2018.

(2) Pali words re-checked by U Maung Maung Ko-- on 27.4.2019

Note; the words in red are not to be uploaded in the website.