EAP1123/4/16

Title in Thai: พระมาลัย.

Title in Mon: မှာထေလှဲစှ်ေဗဵုနရက်.

Transliterated title: MHĀY THE LHAI CEḤ BUIW NARAK.

Palm leaf manuscript of Phra Malai in 6 bundles. Phra Malai is legendary Buddhist monk who acquired supernatural powers through his accumulated merit. His stories are most popular in Thailand. Although the bundles appear to form a unit and were labelled and bundled as such in the temple collection, the information contained in each is slightly different. Some have titles, others do not. Bundles may not be in correct order. A Thai note states it has leaves KA through GAṀ. Title not on colophon (which is not original, but simply a leaf with the overall title written with pen), but written in pencil on first leaf.

Extent: 5 of 6 bundles, approximately 72 faces.

Condition of original material: Fairly good condition and legible, although leaves themselves are somewhat frayed at edges. Either chalk or possibly paint (or lime from betel-nut chewing) on a few leaves.

Custodial history: Handwriting is Thai Mon, colophon of first bundle states it was written at Bhā Prān (Wat Sālādaeng Neua) in the same province. Possibly a later copy.

Additional date information: Probably Buddhist Era 1219 (1857), though colophon is missing.