BUDDHAGHOSA

Buddhaghosa, whose name means `The Buddha's voice', was a South-Indian scholar-monk living in the 5th century CE who came to Sri Lanka to study the ancient commentaries to the Tipiñaka. Later, he was invited by the monks of the Mahàvihàra to render the commentaries into Pàëi. In doing so he systemised and fixed the Theravàda interpretation of the Buddha's teachings. He also wrote a guide to Theravàda doctrine and practice called the Visuddhimagga. After his literary labours Buddhaghosa returned to India and nothing is known of the rest of his life. His commentaries continue to be considered authoritative and are still widely read and studied today.