Between the years 1956 and 1962 the scholar-monk Nyanaponika Thera and the first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion have exchanged eight long letters. These letters—published here for the first time—expose the extent of Ben-Gurion's interest in Buddhism and reveal the Buddhist rhetoric used by one of Sri Lanka's most influential scholars. This rhetoric, which was generally well received by Ben-Gurion, was an exemplar of 'Protestant Buddhism'. It is suggested that Ben-Gurion could relate to this image of Buddhism because it reflected his own vision of Judaism that had 'protestant' characteristics. The letters contain autobiographical notes, unpublished comments on the Buddhist concepts of Suffering and Rebirth, and a curious plan to invite Nyanaponika to Israel.
目次
Introduction 197 Ben-Gurion’s interest in Buddhism 198 Nyanponika’s interest in Israel 199 What led to the correspondence 200 1956–1957: about the concept of suffering 21 August 1956 201 1 October 1956 203 26 January 1957 204 Notes on the Buddhist concept of suffering 205 1961 –1962: visiting Israel and the concept of rebirth 208 24 January 1962 209 9 February 1962 210 26 February 1962 211 23 March 1962 213 25 April 1962 214 12 November 1962. 216 Notes 217 References 219
