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Grammatical Analysis

Aṅguttaranikāya: [m.] The Collection of Numerical Discourses; The “Further-factored” Collection. Formed by aṅga (factor, part, item) + uttara (higher, further) + nikāya (collection).

Orthodox Definition

The Aṅguttara-nikāya is the fourth collection of the Sutta-piṭaka, containing over 9,000 short discourses. It is structured purely by numerical progression, functioning essentially as the encyclopedia or index of the Buddha’s teachings.

It begins with the “Book of the Ones” (lists of single items), proceeds to the “Book of the Twos” (e.g., the two types of fools), and progresses mathematically up to the “Book of the Elevens.”

Because it deals heavily with lists, the Aṅguttara is incredibly broad. It contains the majority of the Buddha’s teachings directed specifically to laypeople regarding wealth, marriage, ethics, and civic duties, while also containing profound numbered lists on meditation (like the five hindrances or seven factors of enlightenment). It was preserved by the lineage of Venerable Anuruddha.

Quote

Ekakadukādipaṭimaṇḍitassa aṅguttarāgamavarassa;
I shall elucidate the meaning of the excellent Aṅguttara Āgama, adorned with sections such as the Ekaka and Duka,

Dhammakathikapuṅgavānaṃ, vicittapaṭibhānajananassa.
Which generates varied insights for the foremost Dhamma preachers.

Atthappakāsanatthaṃ, aṭṭhakathā ādito vasisatehi;
The Commentary (Aṭṭhakathā), which was recited first by five hundred sages,

Pañcahi yā saṅgītā, anusaṅgītā ca pacchāpi.
And later re-recited (in subsequent councils) for the purpose of clarifying its meaning,

Sīhaḷadīpaṃ pana ābhatātha vasinā mahāmahindena;
Was then brought to the island of Ceylon by the sage Mahā Mahinda,

Ṭhapitā sīhaḷabhāsāya, dīpavāsīnamatthāya.
And established in the Sinhalese language for the benefit of the island dwellers.

Apanetvāna tatohaṃ, sīhaḷabhāsaṃ manoramaṃ bhāsaṃ;
Now, removing the charming Sinhalese language from that old Commentary,

Tantinayānucchavikaṃ, āropento vigatadosaṃ.
And rendering it into a faultless language that conforms to the Pāli Canon’s method,

Samayaṃ avilomento, therānaṃ theravaṃsadīpānaṃ;
Without deviating from the tradition of the Elders, who are lights of the lineage of Elders,

Sunipuṇavinicchayānaṃ, mahāvihāre nivāsīnaṃ.
And who reside in the Mahāvihāra with their extremely subtle discernment,

Hitvā punappunāgatamatthaṃ, atthaṃ pakāsayissāmi;
I shall elucidate the meaning, abandoning what has been repeatedly stated,

Sujanassa ca tuṭṭhatthaṃ, ciraṭṭhitatthañca dhammassa.
For the satisfaction of the good people and the long-endurance of the Dhamma.

Sāvatthipabhūtīnaṃ, nagarānaṃ vaṇṇanā katā heṭṭhā;
The descriptions of cities such as Sāvatthī, which I have given below

Dīghassa majjhimassa ca, yā me atthaṃ vadantena.
While explaining the meaning of the Dīgha and Majjhima Nikāyas,

Vitthāravasena sudaṃ, vatthūni ca tattha yāni vuttāni;
And the stories mentioned there in detail,

Tesampi na idha bhiyyo, vitthārakathaṃ karissāmi.
I will not discuss again in detail here.

Suttānaṃ pana atthā, na vinā vatthūhi ye pakāsanti;
However, those meanings of the suttas that are not clear without their stories,

Tesaṃ pakāsanatthaṃ, vatthūnipi dassayissāmi.
For the sake of clarifying them, I will present the stories.

— Manorathapūraṇī (Ekakanipāta-aṭṭhakathā)

Textual References

  • Canonical: Kālāma Sutta (AN 3.65) – The famous discourse in the Book of the Threes regarding the criteria for accepting a spiritual teaching.
  • Canonical: Metta Sutta (AN 11.15) – The eleven benefits of practicing loving-kindness.
  • Commentary: Manorathapūraṇī – Buddhaghosa’s commentary, famous for its Etadaggavagga section which details the biographies of the foremost disciples.

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