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...
Commentary on the stanza on puttadāra
116. What is the origin of the stanza beginning with puttañca dāram? It is said that in Benares, the king's son was crowned while still young, and ruled over his kingdom. Enjoying the glory of sovereignty as in the story of the silent bodhisatta of the first stanza, thought one day thus: “Ruling over my kingdom, I have done distress to many;what use is there to me with this evil deed just for the sake of meals for a single soul? Now I am going to promote happiness”, abdicated the sovereignty, became a recluse, developed spiritual insight, visualised the silent buddhahood and recited this stanza of joyous utterance.
Dhanāni (wealth) there, comprises such treasure as pearls, ruby, beryl, conch-shell, quartz, coral, silver, gold, and so on. Dhaññāni (paddy grains) is of such seven sorts as rice (sāli), paddy (vihi), barley (yava), wheat (godhuma), millet (kaṅgu), the bean (varaka), and kudrūsaka grain, as well as the remaining such cereals as pulses and corn. Bandhavāni (kinsmen) is four kinds of kinsmen by way of related kinsman, clan kinsman, friend kinsman, science kinsman. Yathodhikāni (according to limits) is: those who but stood by way of each and individual limit: The rest is but in the manner aforesaid.
The Commentary on the stanza, starting with puttadāra, has ended.