Visuddhajanavilasini

Visuddhajanavilasini is an Atthakatha commentary that explains the meanings in the Apadāna section of the Khuddaka Nikaya within the Sutta Pitaka. It is divided into two parts: the first part explains the Buddhavagga and Sīhāsanīyavagga up to the Metteyyavagga; and the second part covers Sīhāsanīyavagga to Metteyyavagga, Bhaddālivagga to Bhaddiyavagga, as well as the Theriyāpadāna. The work is attributed to five elder monks.^[1]

It is believed that the Visuddhajanavilasini was composed by Buddhaghosa^[2] However, some scholars suggest that the text's authorship is uncertain.^[3] In the introductory section, the author does not mention his own name, nor the name of the elder monks who requested the composition — unlike other Atthakatha commentaries, which usually identify such figures. The text only states that it was written at the request of unnamed elder monks.^[4]

In the preface, the author explains that this commentary is based on the old Atthakatha (Porāṇatthakathā), omitting any errors, and retaining only the most refined and meaningful explanations. Its purpose is to clarify who narrated the various Apadānas (stories of past lives of notable Buddhist figures), where these narratives were told, and at what time they occurred.^[5]

The primary purpose of the Visuddhajanavilasini is to elaborate on the content found in the Apadāna of the Khuddaka Nikaya, which includes stories of the former lives of Buddhas, elder monks, and nuns. This commentary provides additional details about the figures mentioned, as well as interpretations of the Dhamma teachings appearing in those passages.

For example, in the Dūrenidāna commentary (at the beginning of the Apadāna, Part 1), the text discusses the past deeds of the sage Sumedha that led to his enlightenment as Gautama Buddha, and his prophecy from Dipankara Buddha. It describes the life and practices of Sumedha, such as his walking meditation,^[6] the bliss of renunciation,^[7] and the virtue of dwelling beneath trees,^[8] noting that the Bodhi tree of Gautama Buddha was the Assattha tree (Ficus religiosa).^[9] The text also narrates the biographies and physical attributes of past Buddhas from Dipankara to Kassapa, such as Dipankara Buddha, who was 80 cubits tall, lived as a householder for 10,000 years, then renounced the world and attained enlightenment after 10 months of striving.^[10]

Another example appears in the Subhūti Thera Apadāna (Part 2), which describes the past life of Venerable Subhūti. It recounts that in a previous life he was an ascetic named Nanda with 44,000 followers, who offered a seat made of flowers and a parasol to Padumuttara Buddha. The Buddha blessed their offering, entered nirodha-samāpatti for seven days, and a hundred thousand monks followed suit. The ascetic aspired to become foremost among monks worthy of gifts and free from defilements. Over 500 future lives, and again during Kassapa Buddha's era, he renounced and practiced in the forest. In the time of Gautama Buddha, he was reborn as the younger brother of Anathapindika. After hearing the Dhamma, he was ordained, attained arahantship through loving-kindness meditation, and while alms-round, would radiate loving-kindness to all households before receiving food.^[11]

• Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Faculty. (2007). Pali Literature. Bangkok: Academic Division, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
• Charles Rockwell Lanman. (1909). Pali Book-Titles and Their Brief Designations. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 44.
• Theerawat Bamphenboonbaramee. (2007). Buddhist Scripture. Dhamma Studies Research Project.
• Tipitaka, Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Edition. Visuddhajanavilasini Atthakatha Apadāna, Suttanta Pitaka, Khuddaka Nikaya, Apadāna, Vol. 8, Part 1.
• Tipitaka, Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Edition. Visuddhajanavilasini Atthakatha Apadāna, Suttanta Pitaka, Khuddaka Nikaya, Apadāna, Vol. 8, Part 2.