Somanassa vatthu

Single-text palm-leaf manuscript. Two red lacquer covers. Gilded leaves with vermilion band. Inscribed fragment of woven cotton ribbon, 217 cm. A vernacular prose text comprised of 99 narrative episodes from the life of the Buddha and that of the previous buddhas adapted from Buddhist commentarial literature. Each episode provides a moral instruction which is, however, not elaborated upon. The author of this work available in manuscripts at least since the late eighteenth century is not known. The composition was likely meant to serve as a reference for preachers providing a source of edyfying tales to comment upon. Extent: One bundle of 137 inscribed and 1 uninscribed palm-leaf folios (ff. ka [5] - ḍu [142]). Two red lacquer covers. Inscribed fragment of woven cotton ribbon, 217 cm. Condition of original material: Incomplete manuscript, 12 folios (ff. ṭha-ṭhāḥ) missing. Custodial history: (donors of the manuscript) Kyok Toṅḥ rvā ne Kuiṅḥ Do Ma arap ne Kui Kyīḥ Ma Ka Tau. Additional date information: Copied 1863 Keywords: Didacticisms, Buddhism.