Their story
Dhammapāla is known almost entirely through his works. Tradition connects him with Kāñcipura or with Badaratittha on the south-east coast of India. His date is disputed; many scholars place him in the 6th century CE, others later.
He wrote the Paramatthadīpanī, a set of commentaries on the books Buddhaghosa had not covered, among them the Udāna, the Itivuttaka and the verses of the early monks and nuns, the Theragāthā and Therīgāthā.
He is also credited with a sub-commentary on Buddhaghosa's Path of Purification, though some scholars think this is the work of a second, later Dhammapāla.
The world they lived in
Theravāda scholarship after Buddhaghosa worked to complete and refine the Mahāvihāra's commentarial system, in close exchange between Sri Lanka and South India.
Their contribution
His commentaries filled the remaining gaps in the explanation of the canon and preserved a great body of traditional story, including the backgrounds to the verses of the first Buddhist women.
Teachings and works
Paramatthadīpanī
Commentaries on the Udāna, Itivuttaka, Vimānavatthu, Petavatthu, Theragāthā, Therīgāthā and Cariyāpiṭaka.
Paramatthamañjūsā
Sub-commentary on the Path of Purification; his authorship is debated.
Related teachings
Their legacy
Much of what Buddhists today tell about the lives of the early nuns, including stories told on this page about Kisā Gotamī, Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā, comes to us through commentaries like his.
History and tradition
What history can establish
His dates and life are uncertain, and it is debated whether one or two authors wrote the works under his name.
