Buddhaghosa, whose name means ‘The Buddha’s Voice’ was a South-Indian scholar-monk living in the 5th century CE who was invited to Sri Lanka by the prelates of the Mahàvihàra to write commentaries on the Tipitaka. In doing so he also systemised and fixed the Theravàda interpretation of the Buddha’s teachings. He also wrote a guide to Theravàda doctrine called the Visuddhimagga. After literary labours Buddhaghosa returned to India and nothing is known of the rest of his life. His commentaries continue to be considered authoritative and are still widely read and studied today.