Manorathapūraṇī

Manorathapūraṇī (มโนรถปูรณี) is the name of an commentarial text on the Aṅguttara Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It provides explanations of the meanings and definitions of terms found in the suttas arranged in eleven numerical divisions (nipāta) of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, namely: the Ekaka-nipāta (Ones), Duka-nipāta (Twos), Tika-nipāta (Threes), Catukka-nipāta (Fours), Pañcaka-nipāta (Fives), Chakka-nipāta (Sixes), Sattaka-nipāta (Sevens), Aṭṭhaka-nipāta (Eights), Navaka-nipāta (Nines), Dasaka-nipāta (Tens), and Ekādasaka-nipāta (Elevens). Altogether, the Aṅguttara Nikāya contains 9,557 suttas.[1]

The text was composed by Buddhaghosa, who based his work on earlier Sinhala commentaries that had been preserved in Sri Lanka, around 1000 BE (ca. 457 CE).[2] Buddhaghosa wrote the Manorathapūraṇī at the request of the Elder Jotipāla, with whom he had previously studied in Kanchipuram in South India, and also at the request of the monk Ājīvaka, who had studied at the Mahāvihāra in Sri Lanka.[3] Another source states that the commentary was composed at the request of the Elder Bhaddanta.[4]

Content

The Manorathapūraṇī follows the same pattern as other Pāli commentaries, explaining the origins of the Suttas, such as the four causes for which a sutta arises: through one's own disposition, through another's disposition, through a question, or through a particular situation.[5] It offers grammatical and etymological explanations of important terms and their deeper meanings. For example, in the Cakkavatti Sutta, the term rājā (“king”) is explained as “one who makes the people love him through the Four Bases of Sympathy.”[6]

Another distinctive feature of the Manorathapūraṇī is that the commentator enriches the explanations with legends, fables, biographies, anecdotes, and accounts of ancient Indian customs. This not only clarifies the context of the suttas but also provides readers with engaging stories and insights into the cultural and historical background. For instance, it recounts the story of the “golden crab” and the “golden peacock,” both of which were ruined by their infatuation with the voices of women.[7] It also contains geographical details, such as noting that from the Indian subcontinent (Jambudīpa), there is a country called Suvaṇṇabhūmi located 700 yojanas away, which can be reached by ship in seven days and nights if the wind is favorable.[8]

The text also elaborates on important doctrinal teachings such as dukkha (suffering), the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhaṅga), and the Four Analytical Knowledges (paṭisambhidā).[9] It discusses the 37 factors of enlightenment (bodhipakkhiyā dhammā), including the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna), Four Right Efforts (sammappadhāna), Four Bases of Success (iddhipāda), Five Faculties (indriya), Five Powers (bala), Seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhaṅga), and the Noble Eightfold Path.[10] It provides detailed descriptions of meditative practices, such as in the Apara-accharā-saṅghāta-vagga, where mettā (loving-kindness) is said to be the basis of the cycle of existence, of vipassanā (insight), and of happiness in the present life; it leads toward cessation (nirodha) but is not supramundane since it still takes living beings as its object.[11]

Importantly, the Manorathapūraṇī also recounts the biography of Gautama Buddha and stories of the Buddha's past lives, as well as the biographies of many prominent disciples, both male and female. It includes information on the places where the Buddha spent each of the forty-five rains retreats, from his first retreat at the Deer Park in Isipatana to his final retreat at Jetavana Monastery or Pubbarāma Monastery near Sāvatthī.[12] The text also contains prophecies concerning the eventual disappearance of the bhikkhu order and the last monk to remain in the world.[13]

See also

  • Discourse 6 of the Pariṣāvagga in the Duka-nipāta of the Aṅguttara Nikāya (AN 2.20/92/292)

References

  1. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṭṭhakathā Aṅguttaranikāya, p. 7.
  2. ^ Phra Brahmagunabhorn (P.A. Payutto), 2007, p. 298.
  3. ^ Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2007, p. 74.
  4. ^ Bimala Charan Law (1923), p. 80.
  5. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekakanipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 1, p. 30.
  6. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Tikanipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 3, pp. 36–37.
  7. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekakanipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 1, p. 36.
  8. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekaka–Duka Nipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 2, p. 209.
  9. ^ Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2007, p. 74.
  10. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekakanipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 1, pp. 164–165.
  11. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekaka–Duka Nipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 2, p. 227.
  12. ^ Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2007, p. 74.
  13. ^ Manorathapūraṇī Aṅguttaranikāya Ekakanipāta, Vol. 1, Pt. 1, p. 171.

Bibliography

  • Phra Brahmagunabhorn (P.A. Payutto). (2007). Dictionary of Buddhism: Comprehensive Edition. Bangkok.
  • Bimala Charan Law. (1923). The Life and Work of Buddhaghosa. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co.
  • Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. (2007). Pāli Literature. Bangkok: Academic Division, MCU.
  • Mahāmakut Rājavidyālaya Edition. Manorathapūraṇī Aṭṭhakathā Aṅguttaranikāya, Sutta Piṭaka, Aṅguttara Nikāya, Ekakanipāta Vol. 1, Pt. 1.
  • Mahāmakut Rājavidyālaya Edition. Manorathapūraṇī Aṭṭhakathā Aṅguttaranikāya, Aṅguttara Nikāya, Ekaka–Duka Nipāta Vol. 1, Pt. 2.
  • Mahāmakut Rājavidyālaya Edition. Manorathapūraṇī Aṭṭhakathā Aṅguttaranikāya, Aṅguttara Nikāya, Tikanipāta Vol. 1, Pt. 3.
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