He joined the BBC after the war. In 1949 he went to Sri Lanka and ordained samanera with his friend Harold Edward Musson (Nanavira Thera). In 1950, he received his bhikkhu ordination at Vajirarama Temple (Colombo), then studied with Nanatiloka Mahathera at Island Hermitage, Dodanduwa, where he spent almost his entire monk life of 11 years. He is remembered for his scholarly work in translating from Pali into English.