Grammatical Analysis
Sumaṅgalavilāsinī: [f.] The Illuminator of Supreme Auspiciousness. Formed by su (good, supreme) + maṅgala (auspicious, blessing) + vilāsinī (shining, illuminating).
Orthodox Definition
The Sumaṅgalavilāsinī is the definitive commentary on the Dīgha Nikāya (Collection of Long Discourses), compiled by Venerable Buddhaghosa at the request of a monk named Dāṭhanāga.
Because the Dīgha Nikāya contains the Buddha’s most expansive cosmological teachings and debates with other Indian philosophical systems, this commentary is essential for understanding early Indian history and non-Buddhist religions. It provides the orthodox Theravāda refutation of the 62 wrong views found in the Brahmajāla Sutta and offers the most detailed Abhidhammic analysis of the Buddha’s final days as recorded in the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta.
Textual References
- Subject Matter: Comments on the 34 discourses of the Dīgha Nikāya.
- Key Features: Contains the famous, exhaustive commentary on the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (The Great Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness).