Forward to the Treatise

With my head I bow and pay homage to the most excellent Buddha, the peerless personage, who has crossed over the ocean of knowledge as well as the sea of Saṃsāra, rounds of repeated rebirths. In the same way, I pay my homage to the absolutely peaceful, profound truth, Dhamma, which is difficult to see, minute, creative of a variety of existences, pure, and honoured by the Omniscient Buddha. Similarly also, I pay my homage to the most Excellent Saṃgha, the disciples of the Buddha, who are free from evil and attachment, who constitute the most worthy recipients of dedicatory offerings, whose controlling faculties of sense are tranquil and who are free from cankers (āsava).

With the homage distinguishedly done to this and that 'gem' by me, with outstanding respect distinctively in the three Gems, I was repeatedly and even respectfully requested by senior members of the Buddhist clergy, who are steadfastly steady, wisely learned in the āgamas, the teachings of Buddha, and famous with their followers saying thus in particular:- "Venerable sir! commentary on Apadāna should be compiled".

I would therefore elucidate the proper exposition according as the text stands in the three piṭakas, leaving nothing with regard to the biographies and attainments of the Buddha's Disciples explaining in a method of particular category.

By whom, where and when was this, the most excellent Dhamma preached? For what purpose also was it spoken? Having said (in answer to) those questions, consequent conclusion follows. For the purpose of being conversant with preliminaries and for easy acquirement and bearing in memory, I would speak of such and such solutions separating the earlier from the later, as well as whatever is required by the good people, as has not been fulfilled, according to what was laid down in the old Sinhalese language and old commentaries. Therefore, seeking the aid of the ancient commentary's method and avoiding repulsive renderings, I would bring to light distinctly clear meanings. In this way, I am compiling an expository commentary—the most excellent expositor of outstanding character.