THE ATTHAKAVAGGA PALI, WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONdhammadana AFor free distribution)PREFACE The Atthakavagga is the fourth chapter of an ancient collection of Buddhist seriptures known os the Sutta Nipata. Although it is only a single chapter of a larger work, there is good evidence suggesting that the. Atthakavagga existed in its own right prior to the, compilation of the Sutta Nipata, and thot it was much better known and more influential in very ancient times than itis today. This lapse into rela— tive obscurity is unfortunate, as the Atthakavagga contains mvalu- able information for anyone wishing to better understand the earliest teachings of Buddhism, and also for anyone seeking the way af wisdom. Tt haol been my intention to include asort of commentory to the text, explaining the importance of the Atthakovagga as a work of Buddhist literature, and alse explaining why I chose to translate, it as [did— why I chose to render kama as “object of desire,” tat Cin both places where it is found) as “one who is such,” the first verse of the Mahaviyiha Sutta as 0 statement father thon a question, etc. Bot, I feel that too much of my own verbiage would detract from the. immediacy of the seripture; and furthermore ot present I lack the. re- Sources and the initiative to write such a book. Suffice it to say thot my main objective throughout the work of translation was to reproduce the literal meaning as well os the. style and tone of the discourses aS faithfully os the language barrier, the culture barrier, and my limited, abilities vould allow. The Atthakavagqa is truly a masterpiece of philosophical literature, with respect to both the profundity of its, Philosophy and the beauty ond subtlety with which that philosophy is conveyed; and I sincerely hope that this translation OF i will help the. actuality— the “such"iness — of archaic Dhanmima to speak for itself. Mayall in wont of wisdom find #, and macy all beings be well anc peaceful. Parnobhasa Bhikkhu Yei Chan O Village, Upper Myanmar {Hh waning of Ksalha, 2543 BE. (8 Joly 1947)