Grammatical Analysis
Dīghanikāya: [m.] The Collection of Long Discourses. Formed by dīgha (long) + nikāya (collection, body).
Orthodox Definition
The Dīgha-nikāya is the first collection within the Sutta-piṭaka, consisting of 34 extensive suttas divided into three divisions (vaggas): The Division of Moralities (Sīlakkhandhavagga), The Great Division (Mahāvagga), and the Pāṭika Division (Pāṭikavagga).
Because of the length and sweeping scope of these discourses, they were largely used for converting followers of other religions and establishing the intellectual dominance of the Buddha’s teaching. The Dīgha contains the most detailed accounts of the Buddha’s debates with Brahmin priests, his cosmological teachings, the detailed mechanics of deep meditation (in the Sāmaññaphala Sutta), and the definitive historical record of his final days (in the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta).
These texts were traditionally preserved and recited by the lineage of monks established by Venerable Ānanda.
Textual References
- Canonical: Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22) – The comprehensive guide to the four foundations of mindfulness.
- Canonical: Brahmajāla Sutta (DN 1) – The “Supreme Net” capturing all 62 possible wrong views regarding the self and the universe.
- Commentary: Sumaṅgalavilāsinī – Buddhaghosa’s commentary on the Dīgha.