The Dominant Features and Values of Maṅgalatthadīpanī: The Pali Literature Masterpiece of Sirimaṅgalācāriya

Abstract

The Maṅgalatthadīpanī is a masterpiece of Pali literature by Sirimaṅgalācāriya, a Lanna scholar. He composed this scripture by referring to the topic of Dharma in the Maṅgala Sutta contained in the Tipitaka and explaining the meanings of each passage in details. He has interjected many tales for explanations and references from Tipitaka. When the researcher brought Maṅgalatthadīpanī to analyze the dominant features and values to confirm the masterpiece of Sirimaṅgalācāriya, it was discovered as follows: 1. the dominant features of Maṅgalatthadīpanī consist of structure, presentation method, and content as follows: 1.1 structural features begin with invocation, sequencing discourse and end with recapitulate. 1.2 Distinctive characteristics of content presentation of Maṅgalatthadīpanī in 10 methods: 1) definition, 2) grammatical semantic analysis, 3) behavioral characterization, 4) classification, 5) evaluating the value of each auspiciousness, 6) citing parables, 7) asking questions and answering, 8) referencing, 9) collating information from scriptures, and 10) determining the credibility of information to be referenced. 1.3 Content features are further expounded on Paramatthajotikā, Buddhaghosa’s work, in which a considerable number of parables are presented to explain the order in accordance with the four Ashram principles of Brahmanism. 2. The values of Maṅgalatthadīpanī: it is the creative literature of Pali in Thailand. It retains content that can be applied to life in society. In addition, it on tops appears to maintain empirical value as a course for the study of the Pali Course of the Thai Sangha. The body of knowledge can be divided into two points of views: firstly, the literature style: it is considered to be a reliable academic work, such as reference style and clearly illustrated stories. Secondary, the refinement of the Pali language: Maṅgalatthadīpanī is one of the most unique scriptures in writing. Therefore, it is a textbook used in the course of the Pali Studies in Thai Sangha educational system until the present.