Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
by U Lu Pe Win | 216,848 words
This is the English translation of the commentary on the Apadana (Atthakatha), also known as the Visuddhajana-Vilasini. The Buddhist stories known as apadanas refer to biographies of Buddhas, Buddhist monks and nuns. They are found in the Pali Canon (Khuddaka Nikaya), which is the primary canon of Theravada Buddhism. Alternative titles: Visuddhaja...
Introduction
Because of the promise made (by me) in my foreword namely:- "I would compile a commentary (comprising) by when, where and when that this most excellent Dhamma, truth, was spoken", this expositor of 础辫补诲腻苍补 would certainly point out the remote past preface, (d奴ronid膩na), the unremote past preface (avid奴re nid膩na) and the proximate preface (santike nid膩na), altogether those three prefaces. Those who hear such a (comprehensive) commentary are sure to understand with complete comprehension from the time they repeat themselves what they have heard. Since such a comprehension can be called good understanding I, therefore, compile this my commentary only after relating the three prefaces (狈颈诲腻苍补).
There, from the beginning, now, each episode of the three prefaces should be known (the first episode is) from the time, the Great Being received the prophecy at the feet of the Buddha 顿墨辫补峁卥补谤补, up to the time He was reborn in the heavenly city of Tusita after His Demise as King Vessantara. The path of discourse in between the two occasions is known as the remote preface (诲奴谤别苍颈诲腻苍补.) (The second episode is) from the time however, of having passed away from the Tusita heavenly mansion, till He attained omniscience at the foot of the Bodhi tree. The path of discourse in between the two occasions is known as the unremote preface -(avid奴re nid膩na.) As regards the proximate preface (santike nid膩na) however, information about the episode is gained at such and such places as had become the residences of the Buddha Himself.