P. D. Premasiri
P. D. Premasiri is a Sri Lankan Buddhist scholar renowned for his work in Buddhist ethics and philosophy. His academic career is distinguished by a unique synthesis of Buddhist and Western philosophical traditions, evidenced by his extensive research, publications, and teaching roles at the University of Peradeniya and other international institutions. He currently serves as president of the Buddhist Publication Society, contributing significantly to the dissemination of Buddhist literature.
Key Facts
- ›Born on July 25, 1941, in Kotte, British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
- ›Specializes in Buddhist ethics and Buddhist philosophy.
- ›Holds degrees from the University of Peradeniya, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Hawaii.
- ›Professor emeritus in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Peradeniya.
- ›President of the Buddhist Publication Society since 2011.
- ›Has published extensively on Buddhist ethics, philosophy, and comparative religion.
Important Relationships
- Venerable Professor Dhammavihari
- W.S. Karunaratne
- Lily de Silva
- David Kalupahana
- K.N. Jayatilleke
- Sir Bernard Williams
- L.S. Cousins
- Eliot Deutsch
- Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Moral Evaluation In Early Buddhism
- Interpretation of Two Principle Ethical Terms In Early Buddhism
- Ideas of the Good In Buddhist Philosophy
- Moral Evaluation In Early Buddhism: From the Perspective of Western Philosophical Analysis
- Early Buddhist Conception of Ethical Knowledge-A Philosophical Analysis
- Ethics of the Theravada Buddhist Tradition
- the Buddhist Analysis of the Nature of Social Conflict
- the Relevance of the Noble Eightfold Path To Contemporary Society
- the Theravada Buddhist Doctrine of Survival After Death
- Humanization of Development, A Theravada Buddhist Perspective
- Buddhist Values In the Emerging Global Culture
- the Ultimate Goal of Early Buddhism and the Distinctive Characteristics of Buddhist Meditation
- Studies In Buddhist Philosophy and Religion: Collected Papers of Professor P.D. Premasiri
- the Philosophy of the Atthakavagga
- Varieties of Cognition In Early Buddhism
- Common Buddhist Text: Guidance and Insight From the Buddha
University of Peradeniya, Cambridge, Hawaii, Kandy, Colby College, University of Bergen, Washington State University, Colgate University, Siba, Buddhist College In Singapore, Buddha Dhamma Mandala Society In Singapore, Thanghsian Institution In Malaysia
K.N. Jayatilleke, Sir Bernard Williams, David Kalupahana, Eliot Deutsch
English
Active, Emeritus
About P. D. Premasiri
P. D. Premasiri is a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist scholar, widely recognized for his significant contributions to the fields of Buddhist ethics and Buddhist philosophy. His academic journey is notable for its integration of both Buddhist and Western philosophical traditions, a synthesis cultivated through his studies at the University of Peradeniya, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Hawaii. He has held distinguished academic positions, including serving as professor emeritus in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Peradeniya, where he continues to teach.
Life and Historical Context
Born on July 25, 1941, in Kotte, British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Premasiri received his early education at Christian College. His interest in Buddhist studies began at age 14 when he started studying Pali, inspired by his father. He entered the University of Peradeniya in 1959, specializing in Pali and Buddhist Civilization. During his time at Peradeniya, he studied under esteemed Buddhist scholars and audited a philosophy class under Professor K.N. Jayatilleke. After graduating with First Class Honours in Pali, he was invited to join the academic staff and subsequently pursued further studies abroad.
Premasiri's postgraduate education included studying Western ethics and philosophy at the University of Cambridge in the UK, where he was influenced by prominent philosophers. He later pursued his PhD at the University of Hawaii, focusing on comparative philosophy under the guidance of eminent philosophers David Kalupahana and Eliot Deutsch. Throughout his academic career, Premasiri has consistently returned to his home country and the University of Peradeniya to teach and contribute to the preservation of Buddhist academic traditions.
Academic Career and Contributions
Premasiri's academic career is marked by a profound commitment to synthesizing Buddhist thought with Western philosophical methodologies. He has authored a substantial body of work, publishing articles in numerous academic journals, contributing to encyclopedias, and writing essays for the Buddhist Publication Society (BPS). His research interests have spanned early Buddhist ethics, the nature of social conflict, and the application of Buddhist principles to contemporary societal issues. He has presented his work and participated in academic conferences globally, contributing to international dialogues on Buddhist philosophy and ethics.
Organizational Leadership
Beyond his academic pursuits, Premasiri has played a vital role in Buddhist organizational leadership. He has been a long-standing member of the board of management of the Buddhist Publication Society (BPS) in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and in 2011, he became its third president. He also founded and serves as president for the Society for the Integration of Science and Human Values (SISHVA) and is the president of the Sri Lanka Association for Buddhist Studies (SLABS). Furthermore, he has facilitated a regular Meditation and Pali Text Study Group in Kandy since 1994.
Notable Works and Recognition
Premasiri's extensive publications include seminal works such as 'Moral Evaluation in Early Buddhism,' 'The Buddhist Analysis of the Nature of Social Conflict,' and 'The Philosophy of the Atthakavagga.' His academic contributions have been recognized through various scholarships and fellowships, including the Oriental Studies Scholarship, the East-West Center Scholarship, and the Fulbright Fellow-in-Residence Fellowship. His collected papers were published in 'Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Religion: Collected Papers of Professor P.D. Premasiri' in 2006.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are P. D. Premasiri's primary areas of academic expertise?
P. D. Premasiri is primarily known as a Buddhist scholar specializing in the fields of Buddhist ethics and Buddhist philosophy. His academic work synthesizes both Buddhist and Western philosophical traditions.
Where did P. D. Premasiri receive his education?
Premasiri received his early education in Sri Lanka. He pursued higher education at the University of Peradeniya, the University of Cambridge in the UK, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the U.S.
What is P. D. Premasiri's current role within Buddhist organizations?
P. D. Premasiri is currently the president of the Buddhist Publication Society (BPS), a role he assumed in 2011. He also founded and presides over the Society for the Integration of Science and Human Values (SISHVA) and the Sri Lanka Association for Buddhist Studies (SLABS).
What is the nature of P. D. Premasiri's academic career?
His academic career has been characterized by a synthesis of Buddhist and Western intellectual traditions. He taught Buddhist thought with a Western scholastic approach and critiqued Western philosophy from an early Buddhist perspective, returning to Sri Lanka to teach and research despite opportunities abroad.
What are some of P. D. Premasiri's notable publications?
Notable publications include 'Moral Evaluation in Early Buddhism,' 'The Buddhist Analysis of the Nature of Social Conflict,' and 'Buddhist Ethics: Moral Perfection and Modern Society.' His PhD dissertation focused on 'Moral Evaluation In Early Buddhism: From The Perspective Of Western Philosophical Analysis.'
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