Phra Sirimangkalacharn

Phra Sirimangkalacharn (Northern Thai: ) was a Thai Buddhist monk from Chiang Mai, who lived approximately between 2020–2100 BE. He authored four important Buddhist literary works: Vessantaraṭīpanī, Sankhya Pakāsakaṭīkā, Mangaladipani, and Cakkavaladipani.^[1]

Biography

Phra Sirimangkalacharn was born in Chiang Mai with the birth name Sripingmueang. According to legend, he was born during a great storm that destroyed his family home. His mother, heavily pregnant at the time, had taken shelter at the base of a Bodhi tree (known locally as "Siri tree") and gave birth there. His father thus named him Sripingmueang.^[2]

He was ordained as a novice at the age of 13 and later traveled to Sri Lanka^[3] to study under the guidance of Phra Buddhavīra, likely a monk of the Sinhalese tradition.^[4]

Upon returning to Chiang Mai during the reign of Phra Muang Kaew, he was appointed Phra Sirimangkalacharn by royal decree and became abbot of Wat Ched Yod (Wat Maha Bodharam). Here, he composed three of his works: Vessantaraṭīpanī, Cakkavālaṭīpanī, and Sankhya Pakāsakaṭīkā.

In 2067 BE, a great flood damaged Wat Tamnak Suan Khwan Sirimangkalacharn, prompting him to move to a secluded abandoned residence to write Mangalaṭṭhapanī, which he completed in 2060 BE (Chalū Year, 879 BE).

Phra Sirimangkalacharn passed away between 2068–2078 BE during the reign of Phra Muang Kasaklao. His cremation likely took place at Wat Suan Dok, where he had served as abbot, and a stupa was built to house his relics. The stupa was demolished in 2470 BE.^[5] He lived approximately 47 years.^[6]

Works

• Vessantaraṭīpanī – Completed in 2060 BE during the reign of Phra Muang Kaew, explaining the Vessantara Jataka commentaries with interesting details.
• Sankhya Pakāsakaṭīkā – Completed in 2063 BE, clarifying the Sankhya Pakāsaka text by Phra Ñāṇavilāsa Thera for easier understanding.
• Mangalaṭṭhapanī (or Mangalaṭīpanī) – Composed in 2067 BE, a major work explaining the teachings of the Mangala Sutta.
• Cakkavāladīpanī – Completed in 2063 BE, describing the universe, terrestrial elements, animal habitats, food sources, mountains, rivers, deities, demons, and more. During the Ayutthaya Kingdom, this text was among the scriptures commissioned by King Borommakot in 1756 BE (1213 CE) to support the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. In 1980 BE (1437 CE), the Thai Fine Arts Department edited and translated the text into Thai for preservation and academic study.^[7][8]