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Grammatical Analysis
Samantapāsādikā: [f.] The All-Pleasing; The Completely Illuminating. Formed by samanta (all around, completely) + pāsādika (pleasing, inspiring confidence, illuminating).
Orthodox Definition
The Samantapāsādikā is the monumental, primary commentary (Aṭṭhakathā) on the entire Vinaya Piṭaka. It was compiled and translated into Pali by Venerable Buddhaghosa in the 5th century CE at the Mahāvihāra in Sri Lanka, drawing upon much older Sinhalese commentaries (such as the Mahā-aṭṭhakathā).
It is arguably the most important legal document in Theravāda monasticism. Because the canonical Vinaya rules are brief and ancient, they cannot account for every possible nuance of human behavior. The Samantapāsādikā provides the definitive, orthodox case law, establishing the exact boundaries of offenses and procedures. If a modern monastic dispute arises, the ruling of the Samantapāsādikā is treated as the final, absolute authority on what constitutes an offense.
Quote
Samantapāsādikāya samantapāsādikattasmiṃ – tatridaṃ:
Herein, concerning the Samantapāsādikā being the Samantapāsādikā:Ācariyaparamparato, nidānavatthuppabhedadīpanato;
From the lineage of teachers, from showing the divisions of the introductory account and the teachers’ doctrines;Parasamayavivajjanato, sakasamayavisuddhito ceva.
From the rejection of other doctrines, and from the purity of its own doctrine;Byañjanaparisodhanato, padatthato pāḷiyojanakkamato;
From the clarification of the text, from the meaning of the words, from the method of applying the Pāḷi;Sikkhāpadanicchayato, vibhaṅganayabhedadassanato.
From the determination of the training rules, from showing the different methods of analysis;Sampassataṃ na dissati, kiñci apāsādikaṃ yato ettha;
Since for those who look carefully, nothing uninspiring is seen herein;Samantapāsādikātveva, viññūnamayaṃ tasmā;
Therefore, for the wise, this is indeed the Samantapāsādikā, the “Universally Inspiring.”Saṃvaṇṇanā pavattā, vinayassa vineyyadamanakusalena;
This commentary on the Vinaya was set forth by the Lord of the World, who is skilled in taming those who are to be tamed,Vuttassa lokanāthena, lokamanukampamānenāti.
And who spoke out of compassion for the world.— Samantapāsādikā (Pārājikakaṇḍa-aṭṭhakathā, Ganthārambhakathā)
Textual References
- Subject Matter: Comments comprehensively on the Suttavibhaṅga, the Khandhaka, and the Parivāra.
- Historical Significance: Its famous introduction (Bāhiranidāna) provides a detailed history of the First, Second, and Third Buddhist Councils, and the arrival of Mahinda in Sri Lanka.