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Buddhavaṃsa

The fourteenth book of the Khuddakanikāya (DA.i.17).

The Dīghabhāṇakas excluded it from the canon, but it was accepted by the Majjhimabhāṇakas (DA.i.17).

It contains, in verse, the lives of the twenty-five Buddhas, of whom Gotama was the last. The name of the Bodhisatta under each Buddha is also given. The last chapter deals with the distribution of Gotama’s relics.

It is said (Bu.i.74) that the Buddhavaṃsa was taught, at Sāriputta’s request, at the Nigrodhārāma in Kapilavatthu, after the Buddha had performed the miracle of the Ratanacaṅkama. The Commentary on the Buddhavaṃsa is known as the Madhuratthavilāsinī (q.v.)

The Gandhavaṃsa (p.61) speaks of a Buddhavaṃsa written by an author named Kassapa. This is probably not the same work. Mention is also made (Gv.60) of a Subcommentary (ṭīkā) to the Buddhavaṃsa, Paramatthadīpāni by name.