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Pali-Canon

Prof. dr. Rob Janssen en Drs. Jan de Breet worden benoemd tot Ridder in de Order van Oranje Nassau

The Pali-Canon and the translators

The Pali-Canon is the body of sacred texts of Theravada-Buddhism (Pali: ‘Way of the Elders’). Theravada is the major form of Buddhism prevalent in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. In the centuries following the Buddha’s departure or parinibbana  eighteen different Buddhist schools emerged: from these only Theravada survived.

In their hometown Oegstgeest in the Netherlands Prof. Rob Janssen (1931-2019) and Drs. Jan de Breet (1959 – 2021) began translating the Pali-Canon into Dutch in 1997. Their translations have been published in 15 volumes.  Prof. Ria Cloppenborg and Dr. Tonny Kurpershoek-Scherft each translated another volume. The series is appreciated not only because of their high scientific standards, but also their easy readability.

Indologist Jan de Breet graduated at Leiden University with a Master-dissertation on ‘the Perfection of Insight’, a Sanskrit text from the Mahayana tradition. He also translated ‘The historical Buddha’ by Hans Wolfgan Schumann from German to Dutch, and the Buddhacarita, again with Rob Janssen, from Sanskrit to Dutch. The complete bibliography of Jan de Breet can be found here

Rob Janssen [page to be translated] was professor emeritus  in  clinical psychology and personality theory at VU University in Amsterdam. He also worked as a psychotherapist. At Leiden University he studied  Pali and Sanskrit with Prof. Dr. T.E. Vetter. Rob Janssen published as one of his solo translation endeavours an annotated translation of the Sanskrit Diamond at Asoka publishers. A complete list of his publications can be found here

In 2013 Prof. Rob Janssen and drs. Jan de Breet have been knighted by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix in the Order of Oranje Nassau because of their great importance in spreading and recording of Buddhist values, especially their translation of the Pali-Canon. (A video-registration of this ceremony, made by the Dutch Buddhist Dayly, can be watched here ). Knighthood for translationwork is a rare occasion indeed, and it is proof of the importance of their work not only for science but also for the Dutch Buddhist community.

Non-profit
Up to 2018 all Dutch translations of the Pali-canon were published by Gerolf T’Hooft. From  January 1rst 2019 all copy-rights and the complete booksupply have been handed to our ANBI-certified association. The series will be published non-profit, and  T’Hooft has kindly accepted our request to help us with his publishing skills and knowledge. All revenues from booksale and donations will be used to maintain,  expand, and promote the series.

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