Methodology for Editing and Translating a Source Material on History of Science and Translation of the Abhidhammatthasangahasarūpa Volume- II (An Old and Rare Book)

"This may be well stressed that no scientific appraisal of any classical text will be reliable without its proper editing or translation. The two - the editing and translation - are in fact the two legs for a scientist to approach an ancient source-material on History of Science for its study or evaluation. In other words, the starting point for the study of any classical text for any scientific exploration hinges on the reliability of its edition by way of the preservation of the original purport of the text; and dependability on its translation by way of preservation of the original meaning of the text along with the choicest interpretations and renditions."

This is more a matter of shock rather than pride that the Pali literature that originated in India is now lost in its own homeland! However, it thrived well in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) and some south-east countries like Cambodia and Thailand, which are still the principal centres of the Pali learning. The bulk of the published or unpublished Pali manuscripts are therefore today extant chiefly in the Burmese, Singhalese, Cambodian Mula, Laotian and Siamese characters. However, with the foundation of the Oxford-based Pali Text Society in London (1881 A.D.) it gained a new impetus under the leadership of T.W.Rhys Davids, who deservedly enjoys the greatest credit for bringing these works out of the monasteries to the reach of a modern scholar. Since then the romanization of the Pali texts has become an acceptable practice all through the world.

**Contents and Sample Pages**