The Saddharmarathnakaraya (Pali: , Saddhammaratanākara); (SInhala , සද්ධර්මරත්නාකරය) is a historical Sinhala Buddhist religious compendium. It was compiled as an explanation of a

Pali Pāli (, IAST: pāl̤i) is a Classical languages of India, classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle Indo-Aryan language of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pali Canon, Pāli Can ...

anthology by Dhammadinnāchārya Vimalakīrti, a pupil of Dharmakīrti Sangharāja at the Palābaddala Monastery during the reign of Parākramabāhu VI of Kotte in the 15th century.

Etymology

The name ''Saddharmarathnakaraya'' is a compound of ''Sad'' (Noble), ''

Dharma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...

'' (Teachings of the Buddha), ''Rathna'' (Gems), and ''Ākara'' (Lode), meaning "The Lode of Gems-like Noble Dharma."

Historical Context

The era of King Parākramabāhu VI (1412–1467), the last native sovereign to unify Sri Lanka, is regarded as the golden age of

Sinhala literature Sri Lankan literature is the literary tradition of Sri Lanka. The largest part of Sri Lankan literature was written in the Sinhala language, but there is a considerable number of works in other languages used in Sri Lanka over the millennia (i ...

. Notable works from this period include: * ''Kavyashekaraya'' * ''Panchikapradipikawa'' by Sri Rahula * ''Guththila Kavyaya'' by Weththewe * ''Budugunalankaraya'' * ''Loweda Sangarawa'' by Vidagama Maithriya * ''Elushilo Shathakaya'' * The five ''Sandesha Kavyayas'' (messenger poetry): ''Parevi Sandeshaya'', ''Selalihini Sandeshaya'', ''Gira Sandeshaya'', ''Hansa Sandeshaya'', and ''Kokila Sandeshaya'' The ''Saddharmarathnakaraya'' is the only complete literary work from the Kotte era and is considered the final link in a chain of classical Sinhala literary works, including ''Amawathura'', ''Buthsarana'', ''Saddharmarathnawaliya'', ''Pujawaliya'', and ''Saddharmalankaraya.'' It is believed that this text served as a reference for later works such as ''Sri Saddharmawawada Sangrahaya'' and ''Sarartha Sangrahaya'' from the Mahanuwara era.

Structure

The text consists of eight ''Sangraha Kathā'' (compendiums) and 28 additional topics of discussion, including: * Prakeernaka Sangraha Katha – Auxiliary compendiums * Abhinihara Sangraha Katha – Non-exterminated compendiums * Dashaparamartha Paramitha Sangraha Katha – Ten ultimate realistic perfections * Abhinishkramana Sangraha Katha – Renunciation compendiums * Maithriya Sangraha Katha – Loving-kindness compendiums * Buddhadbhutha Kriya Sangraha Katha – Miraculous acts and superhuman qualities of the

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),* * * was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist legends, he was ...

* Milindu Raja Katha – Discourse on King Milinda * Sthavira Katha – Discussions on

Bhikkhu A ''bhikkhu'' (, ) is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male, and female monastics (''bhikkhunī''), are members of the Sangha (Buddhist community). The lives of all Buddhist monastics are governed by a set of rules called the pratimok� ...

s * Panchananthardhana Katha – Disappearances of the five

s * Chakravarti Vibhawana Katha – The appearance of King Chakravarti and his eight treasures * Dharmadbhutha Katha – The miraculous superiority of

* Chaithya Katha – Shrines built for eight reasons * Sammajjhananishansa Katha – Benefits received by

s on six occasions * Mathika Mathu Katha – The mother of Mathu * Swapna Dipana Katha – Interpretations of prophetic dreams * Karma Vibhaga Katha – Divisions of

Karma Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...

* Sarana Sila Prabheda Katha – Categories of precepts * Danadi Kushala Sangraha Katha – Alms and karmically wholesome acts

Purpose and Compilation

Dhammadinnāchārya Vimalakīrti, a devoted pupil of Dharmakīrti Sangharāja, was a scholar well-versed in the ''Nidhanasthana'' (Treasuries of Consistence), ''Prabhawasthana'' (Origins of Consistence), and ''Upanishrayasthana'' (Applicable Facts of Consistence). His aim in compiling the ''Saddharmarathnakaraya'' was to promote understanding of Buddhist teachings among those with deep faith but limited access to resources. At the end of the ''Prakeernaka Sangraha Katha'', he writes: > "Accepting respectfully the order of our lord in his supremacy and ultimate kindness, ''Bhasaye jothaye Dhammang'', the bright Dhamma, I am, as a disciple of Lord Buddha, pleased to expound the blessed Dhamma in 'Hela Basa' (the ancient form of Sinhala) for those who, despite lacking wealth and education, possess the devotion to respond and serve." Additionally, the text was compiled at the request of Wickramabahu Maha Sthavira and Upasaka Weerasundara Kumara, a disciple of the author.

Legacy

The ''Saddharmarathnakaraya'' remains a significant contribution to Sinhala Buddhist literature, preserving doctrinal teachings in a form accessible to both monastic and lay audiences.

References