R. G. de S. Wettimuny
Ramsay G. de S. Wettimuny | |
|---|---|
| File:Wettimuny.jpg | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 26 January 1925 |
| Died | 13 July 1974 (aged 49) |
| Nationality | Ceylonese |
| Partner | Indrani |
| Children | Sunil, Mithra, Ranjan, Sidath and Nimal |
| Education | Ananda College, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation | writer, Double Chartered engineer |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhist |
| School | Theravada |
| Senior posting | |
| Teacher | Nanavira Thera |
| Website | pathpress.org |
Ramsay G. de S. Wettimuny (January 26, 1925 — July 13, 1974) was a Buddhist writer.
Writings
He was attracted to the Dhamma from his young days and, in the later stages of his life, he practically gave up wordily activities and devoted himself entirely to Dhamma.
Wettimuny was in his early time interested in science and Buddhism which resulted in writing a book 'Buddhism and Its Relation to Religion and Science'. Later he find out for Nanavira Thera through reading the book 'Notes on Dhamma'. Wettimuny liked Nanavira's writings because he understood that they were based in Science as known at that time – science and Buddhism. Wettimuny sent him a copy of his book, however Nanavira found a conflict in it. [1] He had drastic criticism, and sent back a letter. Wettimuny promptly went to see him, and then changed his views on Dhamma which had an effect on his latter writings. Wettimuny still continued to go and meet Nanavira. [2] Later on Wettimuny got more knowledge, and become more articulate, and his last book (which was published posthumously) become one of the classics among Buddhist books.
His writings are not superficial, and it requires that readers penetrate and reach the essential meaning of the Buddha's Teaching. His writings “cannot compared with the general run of books on Buddhism and should stand by itself with a few works which have challenged the superficial views of the Dhamma so popular today.” [3] Moreover, his writings can be considered unorthodox among the Sri Lankan monks. “But it would be so regarded only by those who probably for the lack of something more adequate have accepted as orthodox some current misinterpretation of the Suttas (Discourses).” [4] Wettimuny was also dressing primarily those who were disquieted by [existentialism|existential] questions and sought a solution to the ambiguity of existence.
Books written by Wettimuny
During this time he wrote five books on Buddhism:
- Buddhism and Its Relation to Religion and Science, (Buddhist Research Society, 1984)
- The Buddhas Teaching and the Ambiguity of Existence, (Gunasena, 1978)
- The Buddha's Teaching: Its Essential Meaning, (M. D. Gunasena, Colombo, 1969)
- The Calm After the Storm, (M. D. Gunasena, 1970)
- Nephritis in the Dog, (University of Glasgow, 1964)
- Budu dahama saha eya āgamaṭat vidyāvaṭat sama-visama vana ayuru: (Ăm. Ḍī. Guṇasēna, 1967)
Personal Life
He was educated in Ananda College. He was a Double Chartered engineer (Mechanical and Civil), married with Indrani, and had 5 boys: Sunil, Mithra, Ranjan, Sidath and Nimal. Ramsay taught his sons how to play cricket and its totally his effort which brought us to the level of international cricket. Sunil and Sidath played in three world cups.
Reference
- ^ Letters to Wettimuny, 1962, Nanavira Thera Dhamma Page.
- ^ Interview with Bagoda Premaratne
- ^ R.S. Wanasundera, Judge of the Supreme Court, Foresword to The Buddhas Teaching and the Ambiguity of Existence, ix.
- ^ R.S. Wanasundera, x.