Born in North London in 1932, Jack (as he was known to his friends) became a Buddhist at the age of 18 and soon began studying Pāli. Jack was associated with the BPS since early on (the 1960s) and would continue to write essays and translations for The Society until his death in 1998.

~ adapted from the obituary in the BPS Newsletter

Selected Works

The Buddhist Sutta (1964) – John D. Ireland

The Kosambī Suttas (1976) – John D. Ireland

Saṃyutta Nikāya: An Anthology I (1981) – John D. Ireland

The world is led by craving,
By craving it is defiled,
And craving is that one thing
Controlled by which all follow.

Sūkaramaddava: The Buddha’s Last Meal (1993) – John D. Ireland

Featured in the course, " The Buddha"

Comments on the Anuruddha Sutta (1996) – John D. Ireland

By the ariya, the cessation of sakkaya is seen as happiness. This is the reverse of the outlook of the entire world!

Featured in the course, " Nibbāna: The Goal of Buddhist Practice"

The Arahant (1999) – John D. Ireland

Featured in the course, " Nibbāna: The Goal of Buddhist Practice"

Translations by John D. Ireland:

Snp 4.6: On Decay (1983)

Epithets of the Buddha (1991)

Featured in the course, " The Buddha"

Iti 93: Fires (1997)

Featured in the course, " The Practice of Buddhism"

Iti 53: Feelings (1997)

Iti 87: Blindness (1997)

Iti 111: Perfect in Virtue (1997)

Iti 34: Ardour (1997)

Iti 107: Very Helpful (1997)

Featured in the course, " Buddhism as a Religion"

Iti 83: The Five Prognostic Signs (1997)

Iti 75: A Rainless Cloud (1997)

Featured in the course, " Buddhist Ethics"