Sammohavinodani

Sammohavinodani (Sammohavinodanī) is a commentary on the Vibhaṅga, which is the second of the seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka — namely, the Dhammasangani, Vibhaṅga, Dhātukathā, Puggalapaññatti, Kathāvatthu, Yamaka, and Paṭṭhāna. The work was composed by Buddhaghosa (Buddhaghosa Thera), based on the Sinhalese commentary known as the Mahā-Paccarī. [1][2][3]

Authorship

In the closing verses of the Sammohavinodani, it is stated that Buddhaghosa composed this commentary at the request of an elder from the Mahāvihāra community in Sri Lanka. While residing there, Buddhaghosa authored many treatises, compiling and systematizing earlier Sinhalese commentarial traditions. [4] It is believed that the Sammohavinodani was written after his magnum opus, the Visuddhimagga. [5]

Content

The Sammohavinodani consists of 40 sections (bhāṇavāra). It provides detailed explanations of the deep and intricate doctrines found in the Abhidhamma. The Vibhaṅga, being the second book of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, analyzes the Dhammas (mental and physical phenomena) in various categories without narrative context. While it gives exhaustive doctrinal analyses, its abstract nature makes comprehension difficult.

To aid understanding, Buddhaghosa employed various explanatory methods — including similes, stories from the Buddha’s life and past lives, and linguistic analysis (attha-vinicchaya). The text also connects doctrinal exposition with meditative practice, particularly Vipassanā techniques such as Asubha meditation and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

Thus, the Sammohavinodani may be regarded as both an encyclopedia of Buddhist doctrine and a lexicon, offering interpretations of terms and serving as a practical guide for meditation. In this way, it closely parallels the Visuddhimagga, which it likely followed and was influenced by. [6]

Examples of Exegesis

1. Lexical Analysis — For example, in the Āyatanavibhaṅga (Analysis of the Sense Bases), Buddhaghosa explains: “Suṇāti ti sotaṃ — it is called ‘ear’ because it hears,” and “Attano lakkhaṇaṃ dhārayati ti dhammā — it is called ‘dhamma’ because it bears its own characteristic.” [7]

2. Use of Simile and Illustration — In the Paccayākāra Vibhaṅga (Analysis of Conditional Relations), Buddhaghosa elucidates Dependent Origination through vivid analogies, illustrating the endless cycle of birth and death. He presents four major analytical approaches to causation and concludes: “The wise should always be mindful and continuously diligent; thus, they may penetrate this profound law of conditional relations.” [8]

3. Use of Narrative — In the Khuddakavatthu Vibhaṅga (Analysis of Minor Topics), illustrating the nature of delusion and craving, Buddhaghosa cites stories from the Jātaka and Buddha's life. For example, while explaining Atiricchitāniddesa (greed beyond measure), he recounts the tale of the King of Bārāṇasī, who lost both his queen and a celestial nymph due to his unrestrained desire. [9]

4. Meditation Practice — In the Dhātuvibhaṅga (Analysis of Elements), Buddhaghosa outlines ten contemplations of bodily constituents (hair, nails, teeth, skin, etc.), emphasizing: “One should purify the Fourfold Purity of Virtue (Catu-pārisuddhi-sīla), for meditation succeeds only in one whose virtue is pure.” He then refers practitioners to the Visuddhimagga for detailed procedures. [10]

  • Līnatthajotanā – Sub-commentary on the Vibhaṅga by Ānanda Thera, composed in Sri Lanka. [11]
  • Līnatthapakasini – Further sub-commentary on the Vibhaṅga by Ānanda, composed in Sri Lanka. [12]
  • Yojanā Sammohavinodani – Commentary by Ñāṇakitti Thera, written in Chiang Mai. [13]
  • Guyhādīpanī (also Guyhattadīpanī) – Anonymous commentary on the Vibhaṅga. [14]

References

  1. ^ Pali Literature, p. 78
  2. ^ The Life and Work of Buddhaghosa, p. 84
  3. ^ History of Pali Texts, p. 104
  4. ^ Sammohavinodani Commentary on the Vibhaṅga, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Vol. 2, Part 2, pp. 1041–1042.
  5. ^ Ven. P.A. Payutto, A Note on Interpreting the Principle of Dependent Origination.
  6. ^ Ven. P.A. Payutto, A Note on Interpreting the Principle of Dependent Origination.
  7. ^ Mahamakut Edition Tipitaka, Sammohavinodani Commentary on the Vibhaṅga, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Vol. 2, Part 1, p. 163.
  8. ^ Mahamakut Edition Tipitaka, Vol. 2, Part 1, pp. 438–574.
  9. ^ Mahamakut Edition Tipitaka, Vol. 2, Part 2, pp. 871–872.
  10. ^ Mahamakut Edition Tipitaka, Vol. 2, Part 1, pp. 209–266.
  11. ^ Phra Maha Adisorn Thirasīlo. (2000). History of Pali Texts, p. 107.
  12. ^ ibid., p. 112.
  13. ^ ibid., p. 114.
  14. ^ ibid., p. 116.

Bibliography

  • Bimala Charan Law. (1923). The Life and Work of Buddhaghosa. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co.
  • Ven. P.A. Payutto. A Note on Interpreting the Principle of Dependent Origination. Available at abuddhistlibrary.com
  • Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (ed.). (2007). Pali Literature. Bangkok: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Press.
  • Phra Maha Adisorn Thirasīlo. (2000). History of Pali Texts. Bangkok: Mahamakut Buddhist University.
  • Mahamakut Edition Tipitaka. Sammohavinodani Commentary on the Vibhaṅga. Abhidhamma Pitaka, Vol. 2, Parts 1–2.
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