I decided to give Mrs. Quittner the opportunity (if she wants it) of communicating direct with me about clarifications of the Notes. I do not think she is in the least worried about losing the Abhidhamma Pitaka, nor do I think she is particularly interested in knowing the reasons for doing so; but what disturbs her is the fact she has not even been offered any reasons, good or bad. In my letter to her I have tried to make it clear why I have deliberately refrained from giving reasons (namely, because it is not in accordance with the purpose of the book to put emphasis on objective critical considerations—it is assumed that all this is over and done with before the book starts).
I am glad that you will be having the satisfaction of knowing that one person at least seems to find the book of absorbing interest, and that all the trouble you have taken about producing it has not been entirely wasted.
On the other hand, I fear that, even without the references to the A.P., bhikkhus of the traditional school—the majority, naturally—cannot be expected to like the book if they read it; and it is vain to hope that it is going to win general approval. I do not for a moment imagine that the general atmosphere of Buddhist studies is going to be in the least affected by the Notes; but I do allow myself to hope that a few individuals (of whom Mrs. Quittner may be one) will have private transformations of their way of thinking as a result of reading them. The question is, how to reach these individuals.
