Walpola Rahula Quotes

A collection of quotes by Walpola Rahula.

Walpola Rahula (1907-1997) was a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, scholar, and author. Born in Sri Lanka's remote village of Kandegama, he entered the Buddhist monastic order at a young age, eventually becoming a key figure in the revival and spread of Theravada Buddhism in the 20th century.

Rahula advanced his education at Vidyalankara Pirivena, a leading Buddhist educational institution in Colombo, where he excelled in his studies and received a prestigious scholarship to continue his education at the Benares Hindu University in India. There, he pursued Pali and Buddhist studies and became proficient in multiple languages.

Renowned for his intellectual prowess, Rahula possessed a deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy and engaged in academic research. In 1956, he published his most influential work, "What the Buddha Taught," which introduced Buddhism to a wider Western audience and clarified its fundamental principles.

Throughout his life, Rahula traveled extensively to disseminate Buddhist teachings and promote interfaith dialogue. He played a vital role in establishing the International Buddhist Federation and worked tirelessly for the advancement of Buddhism globally. Rahula's dedication to his faith and his scholarship made him an esteemed figure among Sri Lankan Buddhists and garnered respect worldwide.

Walpola Rahula's contributions to Buddhism and his efforts to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western religious philosophies have left a lasting impact, ensuring his legacy as one of Sri Lanka's most influential Buddhist thinkers of the 20th century.