Samantapasadika

Buddhaghosa wrote Samantapasadika which is a commentary on Vinaya. It is a commentary

on the five texts of Vinayapitaka. The author wrote this at the request of Thera Buddhasiri.
This was his first commentary on a canonical text. Since Vinaya was the foundation of
Buddhist faith and for this reason he wrote a commentary on Vinaya first and not Dhamma.
e wrote it in !"# $.D. $t that time% the ruling king was &ahanama in Sri 'anka.
The contents of Samantapasadika is important (ecause it includes how the vinaya got
included in the )ali *anon. The importance of the content of Samantapasadika can (e listed
as follows+
,. The causes that led to the holding of first Buddhist *ouncil.
". Selection of mem(er for the *ouncil
-. The Importance of preserving a place for Ananda thera.
!. The place where the council was held.
.. /hat Ananda did at the 0andhakuti after the Buddha1s passing away.
2. Description of ,3 monasteries
4. Building of a (eautiful pandal for the first *ouncil
3. The recital of the first and the last words of the Buddha
#. *lassification of Vinaya% Sutta and $(hdhamma
,5. ow Vinaya was gradually handed over to the -
rd
*ouncil
,,. The life of &oggali Brahmana
,". $n account of $woka
,-. &issionaries sent (y $woka to various territories
,!. $ discussion of 6hanas trances
,.. $ description of Va77iputaka
,2. Various kinds of pregnancy
,4. $n account of Vaisali
,3. Importance of the port Bharukaccha
,#. $n account of $ssem(ly hall
"5. $ full discussion on topics such as 8ammatthana sati% Samadhi% )atisam(hida% cita%
vibbana% indriya% four para7ika9dhammas etc.
These references to the a(ove list given% we o(serve that Samantapasadika is a commentary
that explains the importance of the first *ouncil which gave prominence to the classification
and collection of *anonical text. It also throws light on the development of Vinaya through
the Buddhist *ouncil and how $soka propagated the dhamma. &oreover% it mentions a(out
important places such as vesali% Balukaccha% )ulagalasa etc. &oreover% various topics on
Dhamma relating to Vinaya are well discussed.
Samantapasadika is freed from any ela(orated tangle of similes and metaphors. It can (e
easily read with great interest (ecause the language is simple.
Samantapasadika also mentions a(out the history of India. )ataliputta is given a prominent
place. Dhammasoka is supposed to have (een a famous ruler. It also mentions a(out early
kings as Susunaga% 8alasoka% *andragupta and Bim(isara.
Buddhaghosa% in the Samantapasadika% gives an account of Bhaddhavagiyas. They were
supposed to (e a group with (eautiful (odies and with very good mind.
It also descri(es four kinds of slaves. They are as follows+
9 slaves (orn in such family
9 one purchased for the purpose of slavery
9 one who originally (elong to enemy. :nce the enemy is defeated and captured% they
are engaged as slaves
9 one according to his own will% who took the life of slavery
It also descri(es various types of vehicles as porta(le (eds% chariots and carts
Samantapasadika also includes description a(out various disciples of the Buddha% (oth
theras and theris. Therefore we can come to a conclusion (y saying that this vinaya text is
very informative.