Visuddhimaggo Part 01

This is a summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the content of Visuddhimaggo Part 01 as presented in the scanned pages:

Book Title: Visuddhimaggo (with Hindi Translation) Author: Buddhaghosa Ācariya Editor/Researcher: Swami Dwarkadas Shastri Hindi Translator: Dr. Tapasya Upadhyaya Publisher: Bauddha Bharati, Varanasi Publication Year: 1998 (Vol. 1st)

Overall Summary:

The provided text is the first volume of the Hindi translation of the Visuddhimaggo, a seminal work in Buddhist philosophy and practice attributed to Buddhaghosa. This volume covers the initial sections of the original Pali text, focusing on the path to purification through the three core trainings: Sila (Morality), Samadhi (Concentration), and Pañña (Wisdom). The Hindi translation aims to provide a comprehensive explanation, going beyond a literal translation to offer a detailed "Vistrit Hindi Vyakhya" (detailed Hindi explanation).

Key Content and Themes (from the provided pages):

The text is structured to guide a practitioner from the foundational ethical conduct (Sila) through the development of mental concentration (Samadhi) and culminating in wisdom (Pañña).

1. Introduction and Context:

   • The publication is part of the Bauddha Bharati Series.
   • It highlights the profound importance of the Visuddhimaggo as a cornerstone of Buddhist yoga.
   • The editor, Swami Dwarkadas Shastri, emphasizes the need for a Hindi translation to aid students and scholars, noting that the original Pali text was published earlier.
   • Dr. Tapasya Upadhyaya, the translator, mentions her family background in Hindi and Pali literature and expresses gratitude for the encouragement and guidance received.
   • The translation is noted to be more than a mere linguistic conversion, aiming for clear explanation with ample use of parentheses for clarification.
   • The publication is presented in three volumes, with the first two being released.

2. Bahirangakatha (External Narrative) / Introduction to Tripitaka:

   • Development of the Pali Canon: It explains that the Pali Tripitaka was written down in Sinhala (Sri Lanka) during the reign of King Vattagamani, about four centuries after the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, placing its compilation in the 1st century BCE.
   • Structure of the Tripitaka: It details the three Pitakas:
     • Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for monks and nuns, emphasizing the importance of the 'Patimokkha' (Patimokkha) for maintaining the Dhamma. It mentions the evolution of rules from 152 to 227, with sections like Bhikkhuvibhhanga, Khandhaka (Mahavagga, Cullavagga), and Parivara.
     • Sutta Pitaka: Collection of the Buddha's discourses, divided into five Nikayas: Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya, and Khuddaka Nikaya. Brief descriptions of the contents of each Nikaya are provided.
     • Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical and psychological analysis of the Buddha's teachings, covering texts like Dhammasangani, Vibhanga, Dhatukatha, Puggalapannatti, Kathavatthu, Yamaka, and Patthana. The Kathavatthu is highlighted for its importance in the developmental history of Buddhism and its compilation by Tissa Moggaliputta.
   • Pitikottara (Non-Canonical) Texts: Mentions Milindapanha (Questions of Milinda) and Nettippakarana as important pre-Buddha Ghosh texts, noting Buddhaghosa's acceptance of Milindapanha's authenticity.
   • Atthakatha (Commentary) Literature: Explains the tradition of commentaries (Atthakatha) which not only explained the meaning but also provided historical context. These are considered more significant than the original texts themselves in some respects, as they identify the origin and sect of various philosophical doctrines.
   • Indian Atthakatha Writers: Introduces Buddhdatta, Buddhaghosa, and Dhammapala, noting Buddhaghosa and Buddhdatta as contemporaries who went to Sri Lanka to write commentaries based on the ancient Sinhala Atthakathas. Dhammapala is known for his commentaries on texts where Buddhaghosa did not write, with Paramatthamanjusa (commentary on Visuddhimaggo) being the most famous.
   • Buddhaghosa - The Epoch-Maker of Pali Literature: Recognizes Buddhaghosa as a paramount figure whose commentaries saved the Tripitaka and Pali literature from potential obscurity. His work is seen as an encyclopedic review of contemporary philosophy, history, politics, and economics.

3. Buddha Ghosh's Biography:

   • Buddha Ghosh, like many Indian sages, left little personal information. Sources for his life include the Culavamsa, Buddhavamsappatti, Gandhavamsa, Sasana Vamsa, and Saddhamma Sangaha.
   • The Culavamsa fragment is considered the most authentic despite being written centuries later.
   • The text suggests Buddha Ghosh was born in a Brahmin family near Bodh Gaya. He was a scholar of Hinduism and the Vedas before encountering Buddhism.
   • After being defeated in debate by a Buddhist monk named Revata, he converted to Buddhism.
   • He later traveled to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Mahānāma (4th-5th Century CE), where he studied the Sinhala commentaries and translated them into Pali.
   • His magnum opus, the Visuddhimaggo, was composed as a test by the Sangha, demonstrating his mastery and leading to their approval for accessing all their texts.
   • His birthplace is debated, with Gaya, South India, and Morandakhetaka being mentioned.
   • His Nirvana is believed by some to have occurred in Cambodia.
   • His known works include commentaries on all the Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka, as well as the Visuddhimaggo and the Dhammapad Atthakatha.

4. Visuddhimaggo - Its Nature and Purpose:

   • Described as an "incomparable work of Buddhist literature," primarily a detailed exposition of yoga.
   • It systematically describes the methods for practitioners from the beginning to the attainment of perfection.
   • It also explains various concepts from Buddhist philosophy and touches upon elements of Brahmanical philosophy (Grammar, Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Ayurveda, Mimamsa).
   • Buddha Ghosh considered the Visuddhimaggo the central point of all his works, expecting readers of his commentaries to study it first.
   • It is considered a "World Encyclopedia of Buddhism" by scholars.
   • The work is based on the teachings of the Mahavihara monks in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, considered the most authoritative seat of Pali literature at that time.
   • The Visuddhimaggo is rooted in two verses from the Samyutta Nikaya, which pose a question about escaping the "tangle" of existence and offer the answer of following the path of Sila, Samadhi, and Pañña.
   • Its definite objective is to provide a clear roadmap for the gradual development of the spiritual path, presenting Buddhist yoga in a highly systematic manner.

5. Content of the Visuddhimaggo (Overview of the Chapters Covered):

   • The book is divided into three parts and twenty-three chapters.
   • Part 1: Silakkhandha (The Aggregate of Morality): Covers chapters on Sila and the thirteen Dhutangas (ascetic practices).
   • Part 2: Samadhikhandha (The Aggregate of Concentration): Covers chapters on the acquisition of meditative objects (Kammaṭṭhāna), earth-casiṇa, etc., the six Recollections, Brahmaviharas, Arupas, Riddhis, and Abhiññas.
   • Part 3: Paññakkhandha (The Aggregate of Wisdom): Covers chapters on the aggregates (Skandhas), sense bases (Ayatanas), elements (Dhatus), Noble Truths, Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppada), Purity of View (Ditthi Visuddhi), Purity regarding overcoming doubt (Kankhavitarana Visuddhi), Knowledge and Vision of Path and Apath (Magga-amaggañana-dassana Visuddhi), Knowledge and Vision of the Path of Practice (Patispadañanadassana Visuddhi), and finally the glory of Wisdom-Development (Pañña Bhavana).

6. Detailed Explanation of the First Chapter (Sila Niddesa):

   • Introduction: Begins with the Buddha's teaching from the Samyutta Nikaya, emphasizing Sila, Samadhi, and Pañña as the path to liberation.
   • Meaning of Sila: Explains Sila as consciousness, mental factors, restraint (Samvara), and non-transgression (Avyatikkama). It is defined in terms of abstaining from unwholesome actions (Virati) and the basis for skillful qualities (Sheelana).
   • Qualities of Sila: Lists the benefits of Sila: absence of repentance, fame, the ability to move freely in any assembly, equanimity at the time of death, and a favorable rebirth in heavenly realms.
   • Types of Sila: Discusses Sila in various classifications: onefold, twofold (Charitta-Varitta, etc.), threefold (Heena-Majhima-Paniita, etc.), fourfold (Patimokkha-Samvara, Indriya-Samvara, Ajiva-Parisuddhi, Paccaya-Sannissita), and fivefold (Pariyanta-Parishuddhi, etc.).
   • Purity of Sila: Elaborates on the four purities: Purity of Patimokkha, Purity of Sense-Consciousness restraint (Indriya-Samvara), Purity of Livelihood (Ajiva-Parisuddhi), and Purity of Right View in relation to the requisites (Paccaya-Sannissita).
   • The Importance of Sila: Stresses the profound importance of Sila as the foundation for spiritual progress, likening it to a rampart that protects from ills.

This summary provides a broad overview based on the provided text. The Hindi translation offers a deeper, more detailed explanation of each concept.