The Pañcagranthi‑Vyākaraṇa of Buddhaghoṣa (V. Sam. 1080)
Summary
The Pañcagranthi‑Vyākaraṇa attributed to the Buddhist scholar Buddhaghoṣa is a concise treatise on grammar. This article introduces the text and situates it within the long tradition of vyākaraṇa, one of the six auxiliary disciplines (Vedāṅgas) associated with the study of the Vedas. The author notes that grammar (vyākaraṇa) provides rules for analysing and generating valid Sanskrit sentences, with Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī as the most influential work. Buddhaghoṣa’s treatise, composed in the 11th century, summarises Pāṇini’s system into five sections (granthis), making it more accessible to students. The paper reviews each section, highlighting the phonetic and morphological rules condensed by Buddhaghoṣa. It compares the Pañcagranthi with other Buddhist grammatical works and discusses its historical context within the monastic curriculum. Finally, the author reflects on the significance of such epitomes in preserving complex grammatical traditions and facilitating their transmission across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
By presenting an accessible overview of Buddhaghoṣa’s grammatical manual, the article underscores the enduring relevance of vyākaraṇa within Buddhist scholasticism. It also demonstrates how condensed treatises help preserve and disseminate Pāṇinian grammar across generations.