The Visuddhimagga : The Path of Wisdom Raise in Theravada

Abstract

The Visuddhimagga is as both a manual of Buddhist meditation and also the standard work of Theravada. It was written in Ceylon by Buddhaghosa for description the Threefold training according to the Rathavinitasutta with the simile of a tree, the types  of Visuddhi viz., Silavisuddhi and cittavisuddhi are the roots (mula) of wisdom, then Ditthivisuddhi, Kankavitaranavisuddhi, Maggamaggananavisuddhi,Patipadananadassanavisuddhi and Nanadassanavisuddhi are the bodies(sarira) of wisdom.

​In it something of almost in early Buddhist literature may be found. The authors  quote from almost the whole of canon  and the theories  of former teachers of  Mahavihara school in Ceylon.  It presents the subject matters in  23 chapters. Among of them, the first two chapters are devoted to Sila and Dhutanga practices, the next eleven chapters to Samadhi,  the rear ten chapters to Panna

This scripture brings the directive of early Buddhism up and ranges the main points which disperse in the canon to consecutively  systemization.  It intends to provide the means of wisdom raise for the Arahantship, not for Visuddhibhumi of Bodhisattahood.

​Now, the Visuddhimagga  is used as the classical textbook of the Pali grammarians in Thailand  in Pali VIII, Pali IX   classes.