Pakaranavisesa

Pakaraṇavisēsa (Special Treatises) refers to Pali Buddhist scriptures or books that differ from traditional canonical texts. Unlike the Atthakatha, Sub-commentaries (Ṭīkā), or explanatory works (Anuṭīkā, Yojanā), these texts were not written to explain the Tipitaka line by line. Instead, they were composed by learned monks (Kandharachana Acharn) to express their own insights, understanding, and interpretations, compiled from various canonical sources through deep study and reflection.^[1]

Additionally, the authors of these treatises could freely determine their subject matter and objectives. The purposes varied—for example, to summarize or condense the Buddha’s teachings for easier memorization; to praise and honor the Triple Gem in poetic Pali language; to propose methods for interpreting and expanding on the Tipitaka; or to present knowledge about the world and the cosmos.^[2]

The Pakaraṇavisēsa serve as a bridge connecting the essential teachings found in the Tipitaka to the general populace, allowing laypeople to study and understand the Dhamma more easily.^[3]

Types

The Pakaraṇavisēsa texts can be categorized into six main types, each with distinct content and purpose:

1. Dhamma–Vinaya Summary (Dhamma-Vinaya Sangkhēpa)

These treatises provide concise or summarized explanations of the Pali Canon, unlike the detailed expositions of the Commentaries. Some notable examples include:

1. Milindapañha by Venerable Nāgasena
2. Vimuttimagga by Venerable Upatissa Thera
3. Visuddhimagga by Venerable Buddhaghosa^[4]

2. Dhamma Analysis (Dhamma-Vibhaṅga)

These works present principles and methods for analyzing and distinguishing the teachings of the Dhamma and Vinaya, such as:

1. Nettipakarana, composed by Venerable Mahākaccāyana
2. Nettatthakatha, by Venerable Dhammapāla Thera
3. Nettivibhavini, composed by the Burmese master Saddhammappāla Mahādhammarājaguru^[5]

3. Praise of the Dhamma–Vinaya (Dhamma-Vinaya Sadudī or Buddhādibhituti)

These are devotional or poetic works composed to praise the Triple Gem — especially the Buddha’s virtues, such as the 32 Marks of a Great Man and 80 minor characteristics. Examples include:

1. Pajjamadhu, by Venerable Buddhappiya Thera — 104 stanzas in Sanskrit meter praising the Triple Gem
2. Namasakara Patha, composed by an ancient master
3. Jinalankara, by Venerable Buddharaakkhita Thera — 271 verses narrating the Buddha’s life from birth to parinirvana
4. Jinacarita, by Venerable Medhankara (or Navaratana Medhankara) — a poetic biography of the Buddha similar to the Sanskrit Buddhacarita^[6]

4. Historical Treatises (Wangsa Pakorn)

These are historical and biographical chronicles that record the history of Buddhism or important figures. Examples include:

1. Mahavamsa, the Sri Lankan chronicle composed by Venerable Mahānāma Thera
2. Dāṭhavaṃsa, composed by Venerable Dhammakitti of Sri Lanka, narrating the story of the Buddha’s Tooth Relic enshrined in Sri Lanka
3. Sāsanavaṃsa, a history of Buddhism composed by the Burmese monk Venerable Pannasami^[7]

5. Cosmological Texts (Lokasattha)

These treatises discuss the origin of the world, planets, and the universe, including:

1. Cakkavaladipani, composed by Venerable Sirimangalācariya
2. Lokappadīpakasāra, composed by Venerable Medhankara^[8]

6. Measurement Treatises (Saṅkhaya Pakorn)

These works concern systems of counting, measuring, and weighing, such as:

1. Saṅkhaya Pakāsaka, composed by Venerable Ñāṇavilāsa
2. Saṅkhaya Pakāsaka Ṭīkā, composed by Venerable Sirimangalācariya^[9]