Buddhist Publication Society

• 1. Founding And Early Mission

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  Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1958. Two Sri Lankan lay Buddhists named A.S. Karunaratna and Richard Abeyasekera stood with a European-born monk called Nyanaponika Thera to establish the Buddhist Publication Society. They intended to publish small, affordable books on fundamental Buddhist topics for a limited audience. The group drew source material heavily from the Pāli Canon to reflect the Theravada denomination of Buddhism. Reception of their early efforts encouraged the Society to expand its scope beyond that initial plan. This expansion transformed a modest effort into an organization serving over 3,000 subscriber members across 80 countries today.

• 2. Publication Series And Formats

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  The Wheel booklets measure 4.8 by 7.2 inches and usually contain between 40 and 80 pages. Since 1958, around 250 titles have appeared in this series, though not all remain in print. These booklets cover specific teachings like the Four Noble Truths alongside meditation guides and translations from the Pali Canon. Bodhi Leaves comprised compact booklets ranging from 16 to 40 pages with a conversational style rather than exposition. That series has since been discontinued but remains accessible digitally on the BPS website. Full-size books include Bhikkhu Nananmoli's The Life of the Buddha which stands as the most popular title in their catalog.

• 3. Key Authors And Translations

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  Nyanaponika Thera wrote extensively for the Society before his death in 1988. Bhikkhu Bodhi served as editor from 1984 until 2002 and authored numerous works himself. Piyadassi Thera edited the Sinhala version of The Wheel known as Damsak starting in 1960. His assistant A.G.S. Kariyawasam took over after Piyadassi died in 1998 and held that role until 2005. Burmese scholar-monk Ledi Sayadaw contributed several manuals including Manual of the Supreme Man published in book form. John Ireland translated small classics such as The Dhammapada and The Udana into English for Western readers.

• 4. Global Distribution Partnerships

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  Wisdom Publications in Boston entered co-publication agreements with the BPS in the late 1990s. These deals made works more readily available to readers throughout the Americas and Europe. Pariyatti, a U.S. publisher affiliated with the Vipassana Research Academy, distributes BPS books across the Americas. They created an imprint called BPS Pariyatti Editions to publish American editions of titles like The Path of Purification. This partnership also allows Asian readers access to Theravada Buddhism texts first issued by Western publishers. Such collaborations expanded reach far beyond the original Sri Lankan base.

• 5. Dhamma Dana Philanthropy

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  The Nyanaponika Dhamma Dana Project launched in 1993 to honor former Society president Nyanaponika Mahathera. Between 50 and 150 copies of each new book go free to libraries monasteries and Buddhist centers worldwide. Copies of The Wheel are sent to temples and practice centers for distribution without charge. This initiative ensures that financial barriers do not prevent people from accessing core teachings. It reflects the charitable status of the organization which prioritizes dissemination over profit margins. Libraries and monasteries receive these materials as part of a global effort to spread knowledge.