Walpola Rahula

Walpola Rahula (1907–1997) was a Buddhist monk, scholar, and writer renowned for his contributions to Theravada Buddhism. He gained international recognition as the first bhikkhu to hold a professorial chair in the Western world, serving as Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University in 1964. His seminal work, "What the Buddha Taught," is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative introductions to Theravada Buddhism, praised for its clarity and depth.

A distinguished academic and spiritual leader, Rahula also served as Vice-Chancellor of Vidyodaya University (now the University of Sri Jayewardenepura). His writings spanned multiple languages, including English, French, and Sinhalese, making Buddhist philosophy accessible to a global audience. Through his scholarly works and teachings, Rahula played a pivotal role in bridging Eastern and Western understandings of Buddhism.