Mangala commentary & Lao misc

To start with, Justin (& all assembled), I had been meaning to ask
about the (Lao-Pali) commentary on the Mangala-sutta, found under
various titles starting with Mangala-attha-.

Nyanatustia names its origin as Chiang Mai, but the Dict. of proper
names attributes its authorship to 16th century Laos.  I know almost
nothing about the text, but recently discovered that I *do* have a
complete e-text for it --and it is a very lengthy treatise indeed.

As this is possibly one of the very few Pali compositions from Laos,
has there ever been an interest in an edition / translation here
--even if it is inspired more by nationalism than the text itself?

> ... as does Mahasarakham Univ. library (both closer than BKK,

Yes, I should find some excuse to visit the collection at Mahasarakham
(but, to me, it will always be "Mahasalagam").  Mme Filliozat was very
much surprised when I explained that a large number of
Vientiane-origin MS are available there, as well as at Yasothon, and,
of course, in the BKK National Library (due to the events of 1828,
etc.).  She was denied access to the National Library (in BKK), and
had resolved not to try again, despite my encouragement that she do
so.

> well, actually the train to BKK is faster than the bus to CM).

Especially now that ALL THE MINOR BORDER CROSSINGS BETWEEN LAOS AND
THAILAND ARE CLOSED!  Even the border at Huay Xai (viz., on the
Mekong, near the so-called golden traingle) is now closed, due to the
recent military regime change in Bangkok.

> The CKS in Phnom
> Penh should have them all as well.

*Ahem!* The CKS is in Siem Reap, not Phnom Penh!  BTW, I finally
received a belated and apologetic reply from the Institute Bhouddique
(in Phnom Penh, not Sem Reap) --indeed, from no less a person than the
"Chief of Mores" (quite a title)!

> However, I can understand
> your reluctance to pay the border/visa fees to go in and out
> of Laos.

This also relates to the practical difficulties of being employed at a
Lao government agency --and a daily publication at that.  I am not on
vacation, but conducting my studies in the time left over by my "job".

E.M.