K. N. Jayatilleke

Kulatissa Nanda Jayatilleke (1920–1970) was a highly regarded Sri Lankan philosopher and scholar, recognized internationally for his profound contributions to Buddhist philosophy. His academic career was dedicated to interpreting early Buddhist teachings using the analytical tools and methodologies of Western philosophy, particularly empiricism.

Life and Historical Context

Born in Colombo, British Ceylon, Jayatilleke received a robust education, excelling in Pali and Sanskrit at the University of Ceylon before pursuing Western philosophy at Cambridge University. This dual grounding in Eastern and Western thought provided him with a unique perspective. He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Ceylon from 1963 until his death in 1970. His academic distinctions included being a Nuffield Fellow in the Humanities and a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Major Contributions

Jayatilleke is most celebrated for his book, "Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge." This seminal work has been described as a "masterpiece" and an "outstanding philosophical interpretation of the Buddha's teaching." It systematically explores the epistemological foundations of early Buddhism, tracing the development of knowledge-related ideas from pre-Buddhist Indian thought through to the Pali Canon. Jayatilleke argued that early Buddhism possessed an empiricist outlook and an analytical approach, asserting that the Buddha was an empiricist who questioned the meaningfulness of metaphysical statements and whose views did not contradict modern science.

Scholarly Approach

Jayatilleke aimed to present Buddhist philosophy in a manner that was directly relevant to contemporary philosophical debates and the problems faced by modern individuals. He emphasized the Buddha's use of analytic reason rather than speculative reason and identified three key elements in his approach: empiricism, analysis, and a scientific attitude. He also considered concepts like rebirth as hypotheses capable of scientific verification.

Important Relationships

Jayatilleke was a student of the influential philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. He also mentored the noted Buddhist scholar David Kalupahana.

Notable Works

Key publications by K. N. Jayatilleke include:

• "Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge" (1963)
• "The Principles of International Law in Buddhist Doctrine" (1967)
• "Buddhism and the Race Question" (1958), co-authored with G. P. Malalasekera.
• "The Message of the Buddha" (published posthumously in 1975).

He also contributed numerous essays and articles published in various journals and series, such as the Wheel Series publications by the Buddhist Publication Society.