The Pāli Ṭīkā Literature and the Vinaya Ṭīkās of the Poḷonnaruva Era (1017 A.D.–1270 A.D.)

This research paper explores the origin and development of the Pāli sub-commentarial (Ṭīkā) literature, focusing specifically on the Theravada Vinaya sub-commentaries composed during the Poḷonnaruva era (1017 A.D. – 1270 A.D.) in the political history of Sri Lanka. The Ṭīkā literature, a crucial component of the broader Pāli literature, functions as an authoritative resource for the interpretation of the Buddha's teachings. Most Pāli sub-commentaries were authored in Sri Lanka, with contributions from Sri Lankan and South Indian scholarly monks. The Poḷonnaruva era emerges as a crucial period in Sri Lankan history, representing the golden age of Pāli sub-commentarial literature. During this era, numerous sub-commentaries were composed, placing particular emphasis on the Vinaya sub-commentaries. Of notable significance is the interconnectedness between Sri Lankan and South Indian monks, which played a vital role in the composition of sub-commentaries within the monastic context of the Poḷonnaruva era.