Dhammapāla

Dhammapāla was a renowned scholar of the Pali tradition who lived in approximately the fifth century CE and wrote many commentaries, including the Paramatthamañjūsā, a commentary on the Visuddhimagga.

Encyclopedia Britannica states:

Dhammapala, who probably came from southern India, is credited with the writing of numerous commentaries, including the Paramattha-dipani (Pali: “Elucidation of the True Meaning”), a commentary on several books of the Khuddaka nikaya. In the Paramattha manjusa (Pali: “Jewel Box of the True Meaning”), a commentary on Buddhaghosha’s Visuddhimagga, Dhammapala quotes a verse from the Hindu scripture Bhagavadgita and frequently mentions the views of other schools and teachers. As a result, this work provides valuable information about intellectual activity in traditional circles.

Dhammapāla also wrote A Treatise on the Paramis, which provides and explanation of the ten paramis of the Pali tradition. In the work, he contrasts the ten paramis of the Pali tradition with the six paramitas of the Sanskrit tradition.