The influence of Notes on Dhamma on Buddhist thinkers still continues to increase, more than a quarter of a century after its last publication. For some, Notes on Dhamma was the most important book of modern times; for others it was heresy. Embraced or rejected – it had a profound effect on Buddhist writings and modern thought. The first edition (prepared in 1963, and long out of print) consisted of only 250 copies, and though 1987 saw the publication of Clearing the Path, together with 150 letters written by Ven. Ñāṇavīra, it was never really properly laid out, independent, or commercially available.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the late Ven. Ñāṇavīra Thera’s sotāpatti, we present this, the original version of Notes on Dhamma in its entirety. Most of his editorial work remains intact; in a few places, however, some necessary modifications were made.

The book is for those who find their present mode of existence unsatisfactory and who sense the need to make a fundamental change in themselves, being prepared to abandon specific mistaken notions about the Buddha’s Teaching and about the nature of experience. A change of attitude rarely occurs without considerable prior development, and this book is intended to serve as a tool in fostering that development. As such it is meant to be lived with rather than read and set aside. [from Editor's Foreword]