Buddhaghosa

Buddhaghosa was a 5th Century Indian Theravadin Buddhist commentator and scholar. Buddhaghosa means "Voice of the Buddha" in the Pali language. He translated extensive Singhalese commentaries on the Pali Buddhist texts in Pali. Commentaries are also attributed to him, including his commentary on the Vinaya.

His Visuddhimagga (Pali Path of Purification) is a comprehensive manual of Theravada Buddhism that is still read and studied today. The book is divided into sections on Sila or Ethics; Samadhi or Meditation; and Panna or Wisdom. This is a traditional division in Buddhist teachings, which suggest that ethics are essential to meditation, and that meditation is essential to developing wisdom. From the Buddhist point of view this is the 'path of purification' because it purifies the mind of the defilements of greed, hatred, and delusion.