Sampasādanīyasuttavaṇṇanā : an annotated translation and a critical study

Abstract

This project is divided into two parts. The first part is an investigation of two of the sixteen ānuttariya-s (unsurpassable-s/excellences) of the Buddha elaborated by Sāriputta in the Sampasādanīya-sutta; namely, bhassa-samācārā (the Buddha’s excellence in discoursing on proper conduct in speech) and on sassatavāda (the Buddha’s excellence in discoursing with regard to the eternalist doctrines). In the chapter on bhassa-samācārā, its four components have been critically examined in comparison with the components of sammā vācā in order to point out how the Buddha’s proper conduct in speech is distinct from sammā vācā, which is prescribed for his disciples, and his skill in discoursing on the topic. And, in the chapter on Sassatavāda versus Ucchedavāda, the core teachings of eternalism and materialism have been critically evaluated followed by the Buddhist critiques of the both. Canonical evidences point that the Buddha had different attitudes towards eternalism and materialism, although he completely rejected the two. This part of the study primarily investigates why the Buddha was different in his attitudes towards Sassatavāda and Ucchedavāda.

The second part of the project is an annotated translation of the Sampasādanīyasuttavaṇṇanā, the commentary on the Sampasādanīya-sutta. In the course of the translation, which is carried out mainly based on the Pali Text Society edition, the Burmese, the Sinhala and the Thai editions are examined to identify their variations and errata within in order to present the meaning of the text accurately and articulately. Wherever required, canonical and commentarial explanations of key terms of the text are provided in footnotes as annotations, followed by critical views of contemporary scholars. Although several studies on the qualities of the Buddha have been produced, however, there have not been sufficient research on the sixteen ānuttariya-s. On the other hand, the translation of the commentary is the first ever English translation. Therefore, both the study and the translation serve as significant source for the study of the Buddha’s intellectual qualities, particularly the sixteen ānuttariya-s.