The Buddhist Way of Life | For Grade 5 students | book #5 by Winitha Jinasena

THE BUDDHIST WAY OF LIFE (For Grade 5 Students)

"Buddhist Way of Life" Book 5 written by mrs. Winitha Jinasena is a publication that fills a void in the field of English medium text books in Buddhism written for the National curriculum.  

Mrs. Winitha Jinasena being an experienced and qualified educationist having held the post of lecturer ar Maharagama Teachers' College and later the posts of Principal at Gotami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo and at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda is undoubtedly the most suitable person to write a book series for students.  

The book designed and written to fulfil the objectives stipulated in the syllabus published by the Government. However, being a private pulication the author has taken the liberty to formulate a sequence of chapters more fitting to the subject development, which is a good feature. She also has deviated at times, from the syllabus to add colour to the product, is evidenced from the Mahā mangala Sutta appended to the book and references to the life of the Buddha at appropriate instances.  

Writing a book of Buddhism for students in English in not an easy task, as one would encounter difficulties in the choice of the idiom and expression. In contrast when writing in Sinhala one has the convenience of adopting the Pāli terms or expressions themselves. It is commendable that the author has taken adequate care to use the best possible words and even using the Pāli or the Sinhala terms as alternatives.  

The book can be recommended to be used in the class room in Grade 5 in English medium schools, local or international.  

I wish Mrs. Jinasena continue this series of text books up to the G.C.E. (O/L) Grades. It would be of an utmost service to the students who are starved of text books.  

D.G. Sumanasekara

Principal - Vidura College, Colombo

Former Principal - Nalanda College, Colombo

Mahanama College, Colombo

Sri Lankan School, Saudi Arabia.