Bodhi, Bhikkhu

Bhikkhu Bodhi, Ph.D., (1944 New York), born Jeffrey Block, is an eminent monk, scholar, author, translator, teacher and leading Western authority on Theravada Buddhism. His contribution to English translation of key divisions of the Pali Canon sets a new standard in the work pioneered by the Pali Text Society.

After completing a degree in philosophy, he entered the monastic order, receiving full ordination in Sri Lanka in 1973 under the late Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya. After the retirement of Ven. Nyanaponika in 1984, he served as editor (and later president) of the Buddhist Publication Society.

He is the author, translator or editor of many important books and essays, as well as the creator of ten audio lectures on the fundamentals of the Buddha's teaching. In May 2000 he gave the keynote address at the United Nations on its first official celebration of Vesak. He moved back to the U.S. in 2002 and currently lives and teaches at the Bodhi Monastery in New Jersey, where he serves as president of the Sangha Council of Bodhi Monastery and chairman of the Yin Shun Foundation.

Additional texts by Bhikkhu Bodhi are available freely online.