EAP1150/1/23

Multiple-text palm-leaf manuscript that originally, most likely, was a collection of nine historiographic works known as Vaṅ kuiḥ vaṅ. Only three of nine fascicles currently survive. Black lac. covers; the top cover does not fit this ms. Gilded leaves with vermilion band has decorated edges in red.

Extent: 1 palm-leaf manuscript.

Additional date information: Copied 1785

Keywords: Buddhism, Cosmology, Remove, History.

This manuscript contains the following 3 texts:

EAP1150/1/23/1: Praññ vaṅ kyamḥ [Praññʻ vaṅʻ kyamʻʺ]

Description: A prose vernacular text recapitulating the basics of Buddhist cosmology and the origins of humanity in the beginning of a cosmic cycle written to supplement the collection of nine historiographical works with the tenth. This work probably dating to the mid-seventeenth century is different from Rhve praññ vaṅ vatthu which makes a part of modern Vaṅ kuiḥ vaṅ publications (based on the edition of Haṃsavatī press) and which deals with parinibbana of the Buddha and his great disciples. An interesting feature of Praññ vaṅ kyamḥ is a brief summary of contents of a certain manuscript Vaṅ kuiḥ vaṅ collection.Extent: 1 fascicle of 20 inscribed folios (ff. cai [4]-ji [22]).Author(s)/Creator(s): Kalyaṇādhamma.Additional date information: Copied 1785

EAP1150/1/23/2: Mahārājavaṃsa

Description: The earliest known specimen of Burmese genre of “great chronicles” tracing the royal lineage from the first king Mahasamata to a certain overlord of the country of Burmans. The work of Sīlavaṃsa which is also known as Rājavaṅ kyau ("The Celebrated Chronicle") briefly covers the kings of Majjhimadesa (India), Lanka, Sarekhittarā, Pu kaṃ, and Ava. It also contains a section on the knowledge pertaining to royal duties (rājadhamma). The chronicle exists in two recensions (A and B) where the latter adds data on the kings of Paṅ ra and Cac kuiṅḥ and chronological calculations. Recension B of which ms FPL 2566.2 is a testimony also does not include the final colophon that ascribes the Mahārājavaṃsa to Sīlavaṃsa.Extent: One fascicle of 46 inscribed folios (ff. jī [24]-ṭhi [68]).Author(s)/Creator(s): ? Sīlavaṃsa.Additional date information: Copied 1785

EAP1150/1/23/3: Mahāvaṅ kyamḥ [Mahāvaṅʻ kyam‘ʺ]

Description: A textual descendent of Mahārājavaṃsa by Sīlavaṃsa. This historiographic work of unknown date and provenance seems to have re-used Mahārājavaṃsa to produce a streamlined vernacular narrative by omitting all Pali verses found in Mahārājavaṃsa and supplementing a few details such as the list of works of merit of King Narapati-nge of Ava.Extent: One fascicle of 113 inscribed folios (ff. ṭhī [69]-pai [180]).Additional date information: Copied 1785