Saddhammappakāsinī

Saddhammappakāsinī (also spelled Saddhammappakāsanī, สทฺธมฺมปฺปกาสินี) is an Atthakatha commentary on the Paṭisambhidāmagga, a text of the Khuddaka Nikaya within the Sutta Pitaka. It is divided into two parts and provides a detailed explanation of the entire Paṭisambhidāmagga. The work was composed by the Elder Mahānāma at the request of a lay devotee also named Mahānāma.[1]

The title Saddhammappakāsinī literally means “the commentary that illuminates the True Dhamma,” reflecting its function of clarifying and elaborating upon the teachings of the Paṭisambhidāmagga to make them lucid and understandable.[2]

Authorship

The author of this commentary is the Elder Mahānāma, a Sri Lankan monk from the Mahavihara tradition—the principal monastic fraternity of Sri Lanka at that time, and the same institution associated with Buddhaghosa. According to the closing passage of the work, the lay devotee Uttaramanti built a monastic residence (parivena) at the Mahavihara, where the Elder Mahānāma resided and completed the Saddhammappakāsinī three years after the death of King Moggallāna of Sri Lanka.[3]

There were, however, two kings of Anuradhapura named Moggallāna — the first died in 495 CE (1038 BE), and the second in 547 CE (1090 BE). Hence, scholars estimate that the Saddhammappakāsinī was likely composed sometime during the 11th Buddhist century (approximately the 6th century CE). The Culaganthavamsa also records that the commentary was written by Mahānāma at the request of a layman bearing the same name.[4]

Some scholars of Buddhist studies suggest that the Saddhammappakāsinī was composed between 499 and 559 CE (1042–1102 BE). Although the exact date remains uncertain, it is clear that the work was written after the time of Buddhaghosa.[5] Mahānāma himself is regarded as one of the major successors of Buddhaghosa's exegetical tradition.[6]

Content

The text begins with the kathārambhakathā (introductory discourse), followed by a detailed commentary on the Paṭisambhidāmagga, divided into three main sections: 1. Mahāvagga – the Great Section, 2. Majjhimavagga – the Middle Section (also called Yuganandhavagga), and 3. Cullavagga – the Small Section (also called Paññāvagga), concluding with the Nikamakathā (closing discourse).[7]

The Saddhammappakāsinī elaborates upon the doctrines taught by Venerable Sāriputta in the Paṭisambhidāmagga with greater analytical precision. It explains the characteristics of the five aggregates (khandha), various mental and physical phenomena (dhammas), the path (magga), and the results (phala) of meditative practice.

For example, in the Atthakatha Saccaniddesa, it explains the nature of happiness (sukha) and joy (somānassa) as arising dependent on suffering (dukkha), describing the impermanence and instability of suffering, and stating that the cessation of craving and attachment constitutes the means of release from suffering—Nibbāna itself being that means of liberation.[8]

It also clarifies doctrinal and practical aspects of the path. For instance, it describes sīla (virtue) as having purity as its manifestation and moral shame (hiri) and moral fear (ottappa) as its foundations.[9] It defines cetopariyañāṇa (knowledge of the minds of others) as knowledge obtained through mental extension and perception.[10] The commentary also enumerates the ten vipassanūpakkilesa (imperfections of insight): light (obhāsa), knowledge (ñāṇa), rapture (pīti), tranquility (passaddhi), happiness (sukha), faith (adhimokkha), exertion (paggaha), mindfulness (upaṭṭhāna), equanimity (upekkhā), and attachment (nikanti).[11]

In summary, the Saddhammappakāsinī serves as a practical manual for following the path discovered by the Buddha, systematized and expounded by Sāriputta. It stands as one of the most valuable exegetical works guiding spiritual practice and insight for those who seek liberation in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha.

References

  1. ^ Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Faculty. (2007). Pali Literature. p. 77.
  2. ^ Khmer and Ancient Local Script Transliteration Project. (1988). p. 27.
  3. ^ Khmer and Ancient Local Script Transliteration Project. (1988). p. 28.
  4. ^ Khmer and Ancient Local Script Transliteration Project. (1988). p. 28.
  5. ^ Gombrich, Richard F., and Scherrer-Schaub, Cristina Anna. (2008). p. 25.
  6. ^ Bimala Charan Law. (1923). pp. 95–96.
  7. ^ Khmer and Ancient Local Script Transliteration Project. (1988). p. 29.
  8. ^ Saddhammappakāsinī Atthakatha Paṭisambhidāmagga, p. 260.
  9. ^ Saddhammappakāsinī Atthakatha Paṭisambhidāmagga, p. 44.
  10. ^ ibid., p. 144.
  11. ^ ibid., p. 374.

Bibliography

  • Bimala Charan Law. (1923). The Life and Work of Buddhaghosa. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co.
  • Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Faculty. (2007). Pali Literature. Bangkok: Academic Division, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
  • Khmer and Ancient Local Script Transliteration Project. (1988). Saddhammappakāsinī. Bangkok: Bhūmibholbhikkhu Foundation.
  • Gombrich, Richard F., and Scherrer-Schaub, Cristina Anna. (2008). Buddhist Studies: Papers of the 12th World Sanskrit Conference 2003. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
  • Tipitaka, Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Edition. Saddhammappakāsinī Atthakatha Paṭisambhidāmagga, Khuddaka Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka, Vol. 7, Part 1.
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