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 (in chronological order)

The Buddhist Sutta (1964) – John D. Ireland

The Kosambī Suttas (1976) – 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"

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"
Jhāna and Samādhi (1998) – John D. Ireland

The Arahant (1999) – John D. Ireland

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

The Sāl — An Alternative Buddhist Holy Tree? (2000) – John D. Ireland

Translations by John D. Ireland:

Epithets of the Buddha (1991)

Featured in the course, " The Buddha"

Iti 1 Lobha Sutta: Greed (1997)

Iti 17 Dutiyasekha Sutta: A Trainee (2) (1997)

Iti 20 Paduṭṭhacitta Sutta: A Corrupted Mind (1997)

Iti 34: Ardour (1997)

Iti 38 Vitakka Sutta: Thoughts (Often Occuring) (1997)

Iti 41 Paññā Parihīna Sutta: Bereft of Wisdom (1997)

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

Iti 49 Diṭṭhigata Sutta: Held by Views (1997)

Iti 53: Feelings (1997)

Iti 54 Paṭhamaesanā Sutta: The First on Searches (1997)

Iti 55 Dutiyaesanā Sutta: The Second on Searches (1997)

Iti 58 Taṇhā Sutta: Craving (1997)

Iti 61 Cakkhu Sutta: The Eyes (1997)

Iti 73 Santatara Sutta: More Peaceful (1997)

Iti 75: A Rainless Cloud (1997)

Featured in the course, " Buddhist Ethics"

Iti 83: The Five Prognostic Signs (1997)

Iti 87: Blindness (1997)

Iti 92 Saṅghāṭikaṇṇa Sutta: The Corner of the Cloak (1997)

Iti 93: Fires (1997)

Featured in the course, " The Practice of Buddhism"

Iti 94 Upaparikkha Sutta: Examination (1997)

Iti 107: Very Helpful (1997)

Iti 109 Nadīsota Sutta: A River (1997)

Iti 111: Perfect in Virtue (1997)

Snp 4.6: On Decay (1983)

All his doubts then vanish since he understands
Each thing along with its cause.

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

This not being, that is not;
from the cessation of this, that ceases.

Featured in the course, " An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy"
Ud 1.3 Tatiya Bodhi Sutta: The Third Utterance Upon Awakening (1997)

Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!

Then the Venerable Mahamoggllana took that person by the arm, pulled him outside the gate, and bolted it.