Thai and Lao Manuscript Cultures Revisited
Insights from Newly Discovered Monastic Collections in Luang Prabang
Abstract
In March 2016, a team of researchers of the Buddhist Archives in Luang Prabang discovered more than 800 palm-leaf fascicles in a store room at Vat Si Bun Hüang, one of more than two dozen monasteries which still exist in the former royal capital of Laos. In a project supported by the Centre for the Studies of Manuscript Cultures in Hamburg (SFB 950) these manuscripts were inventoried, catalogued, and digitized until spring 2017. The evidence so far suggests that the bulk of this corpus was originally stored at the monastery library (hò tham) of Vat Si Mungkhun and at a later date, probably in the late 1970s or early 1980s, in a time of radical political change, transferred to its present site. It seems that two senior monks of Vat Si Mungkhun – Somdet Rattanapanya or Sathu Phò Hung (1859–1945) and his disciple Sathu Pho Oun Hueane Rattanapanyo (1869–1955) – played a crucial role in building up the library of Vat Si Mungkhun. They were most respected learned monks who worked on the construction of temple buildings and produced many bundles of palm-leaf manuscripts, notably in the 1920s and 1930s. Their names are recorded in the colophons of manuscripts they sponsored and donated themselves. It is the objective of this article to reconstruct the origins of this collection and its history based on a thorough analysis of colophons (of scribes, sponsors and donors) and other paratextual evidence.References
Archival material
Manuscripts
BAD-21-1-0073: Pannya palami (Paññā pāramī); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 13 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CE (1290), a poek si year (AD 1928).
BAD-21-1-0085: Untitled (Suphasit kap lok; Moral teachings for the world); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 19 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1214, a tao chai year (1852).
BAD-21-1-0156: Munlanipphan (Mūlanibbāna); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 36 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1285, a ka khai year (AD 1923).
BAD-21-1-0185: Maha vibak phet (Retribution for the actions of departed spirits of the dead); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2503, a kot chai year (AD 1960).
BAD-21-1-0221: Sin samathi pannya (Ethics, concentration, wisdom); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 15 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1297, a hap khai year (AD 1935).
BAD-21-1-0234: Thamma sam tai (The Three Gems), fascicle 1; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2463, a vòk year (year of the monkey) (AD 1920).
BAD-21-1-0260: Maha vibak phet (Retribution for the actions of departed spirits of the dead); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 12 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; undated.
BAD-21-1-0265: Tamotamasu; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 24 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1217, a hap mao year (AD 1855).
BAD-21-1-0284: Akalavattasut (Ākāravatta sutta; one of the texts for recitation in a ritual ceremony organized for peace and prosperity); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1248, a hwai set year (AD 1886).
BAD-21-1-0305: Maha khanthaka vaṇṇana vassupanayika khanthaka, fascicle 1; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 28 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1292, BE 2472, a kot sanga year (AD 1930).
BAD-21-1-0328: Pha tai lokavithan (vithāna); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 64 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1327, BE 2507, AD 1965, a kap si year.
BAD-21-1-0337: Untitled (Tamnan fa samang; Chronicle of Fa Samang); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 7 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1278, a hwai si year (AD 1916).
BAD-21-1-0344: Thipphamon (Dibbamanta; A Heavenly Incantation); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 8 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS] 1283, a huang hao year (AD 1921).
BAD-21-1-0382: Phutthavongsa phachao sao-paet phao-ong (Lineage of the 28 Buddhas); palm-leaf manuscript; 10 fascicles with a total numberof 243 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1296, a kap set year (AD 1934).
BAD-21-1-0401: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 13 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2486, a ka mot year (AD 1943).
BAD-21-1-0403: Sòng khao phan kòn (Benefits [gained from the making] of thousand rice balls [dedicated to the worship of the Triple Gems]), Sòng pha sai (Benefits [gained from the making] of a sand stupa), and Sòng pitaka (Benefits [gained from the making a copy] of the Three Baskets); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 23 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1289, a moeng mao year (AD 1927).
BAD-21-1-0412: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 223 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2515, a ka pao year (AD 1972).
BAD-21-1-0447: Pha pannya palami (Paññā pāramī); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 9 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2500 (AD 1957).
BAD-21-1-0477: Pathama vongsamarini; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 26 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1]144, a tao nyi year (AD 1782).
BAD-21-1-0479: Phalasangkhanya (Balasaṅkhyā), fascicle 3; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 23 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS 1205], a ka mao year (AD 1843).
BAD-21-1-0485: Untitled (Maha vessantara; The Great Vessantara Jātaka); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 16 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS [1]161, a kat mot year (AD 1799).
BAD-21-1-0567: Pupphasikkha vannana (Puppha sikkhā vaṇṇana), Navakovat (Navakovāda), Uppasampatha (Upasampada), and Patchavekhana (Pacchavekkhana); palm-leaf manuscript; 10 fascicles with a total of 256 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS] 1280, BE 2462, a poek sanga year (AD 1918).
BAD-21-1-0594: Maha Munlanipphan (Mahā Mūlanibbāna); one fascicle of 34 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2499 (AD 1956).
BAD-21-1-0604: Thammapattha (Dhammapada); 9 fascicles with a total of 231 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao;
BAD-21-1-0613: Dhammacakkappavattana sutta (The setting in motion of the wheel of the Dhamma), Maha samaya sutta; The great assembly); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 44 folios; CS 1217, a hap mao year (AD 1855); CS 1290, a poek si year (AD 1928).
Official documents
BAD-12-2-1943.003: “A note of census of monks and novices in Vat Saen 1943”, ພັບສໍາມະໂນພະຈົວວັດແສນ 1943, written by Pha Khamchan Virachitto, abbot of Vat Saen Sukharam from 1943 to 1951.
BAD-12-2-1957.183: Pha Thong Thammathinno. 1958. ເຈົ້າອະທິການວັດສີບຸນເຮືອງ ມໍລະນະພາບ [The abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang passed away]. Luang Prabang.
BAD-12-2-1958.046: Pha Bunchan Punyasaro (Phothichitto), director of the Pali school of Luang Prabang. 1958. ກະລຸນານຳສົ່ງພະຄູເມືອຕວດຕາການໂຮງຮຽນປາລີແລະການເຜີຍແຜສີນທຳທີ່ເມືອງໄຊ [Request for sending monks to examine the Pali schools and propagate the Dhamma in Müang Sai]. Luang Prabang.
BAD 12-2-1965.168: Pha Khamchan Virachittao. 1965. ເຈົ້າອະທິການວັດສີມຸງຄຸນມໍລະນະພາບ [The abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun passed away]. Luang Prabang.
Photographs
Official portrait of two monks who were friends. Left: Pha Hung Rattanapannya, abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun; Right: Pha Un Hüan Rattapanayo, Vat Si Mungkhun. The photograph was taken in the late 1920s. Collection of Vat Saen Sukharam. Buddhist Archive No. B0561.
Photograph of Pha Buaphan Vatsaro, abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun while reading the palm-leaf manuscript at his abode in Vat Si Bun Hüang. The photograph was taken in the 1990s. Buddhist Archive No. D5003.
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Interviews
Mr. Chanthahom Udomphong, member of the lay committee of Vat Si Bun Hüang, on 15 March 2016.
Mrs. Buasanit Suksavat, a sister of Mrs. Buasi Suksavat, who was a sister of Sathu Man Muthuchitto, abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang, from Ban Phon Hüang, on 4 August 2017.
Mrs. Phaeng Saengchansavang from Ban Khili, wife of Achan Maha Khamla Udomphet (formerly Sathu Maha Khamla Udomphet, abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang), on 7 June 2016.
Manuscripts
BAD-21-1-0073: Pannya palami (Paññā pāramī); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 13 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CE (1290), a poek si year (AD 1928).
BAD-21-1-0085: Untitled (Suphasit kap lok; Moral teachings for the world); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 19 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1214, a tao chai year (1852).
BAD-21-1-0156: Munlanipphan (Mūlanibbāna); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 36 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1285, a ka khai year (AD 1923).
BAD-21-1-0185: Maha vibak phet (Retribution for the actions of departed spirits of the dead); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2503, a kot chai year (AD 1960).
BAD-21-1-0221: Sin samathi pannya (Ethics, concentration, wisdom); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 15 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1297, a hap khai year (AD 1935).
BAD-21-1-0234: Thamma sam tai (The Three Gems), fascicle 1; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2463, a vòk year (year of the monkey) (AD 1920).
BAD-21-1-0260: Maha vibak phet (Retribution for the actions of departed spirits of the dead); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 12 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; undated.
BAD-21-1-0265: Tamotamasu; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 24 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1217, a hap mao year (AD 1855).
BAD-21-1-0284: Akalavattasut (Ākāravatta sutta; one of the texts for recitation in a ritual ceremony organized for peace and prosperity); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 27 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1248, a hwai set year (AD 1886).
BAD-21-1-0305: Maha khanthaka vaṇṇana vassupanayika khanthaka, fascicle 1; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 28 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1292, BE 2472, a kot sanga year (AD 1930).
BAD-21-1-0328: Pha tai lokavithan (vithāna); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 64 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1327, BE 2507, AD 1965, a kap si year.
BAD-21-1-0337: Untitled (Tamnan fa samang; Chronicle of Fa Samang); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 7 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1278, a hwai si year (AD 1916).
BAD-21-1-0344: Thipphamon (Dibbamanta; A Heavenly Incantation); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 8 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS] 1283, a huang hao year (AD 1921).
BAD-21-1-0382: Phutthavongsa phachao sao-paet phao-ong (Lineage of the 28 Buddhas); palm-leaf manuscript; 10 fascicles with a total numberof 243 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1296, a kap set year (AD 1934).
BAD-21-1-0401: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 13 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2486, a ka mot year (AD 1943).
BAD-21-1-0403: Sòng khao phan kòn (Benefits [gained from the making] of thousand rice balls [dedicated to the worship of the Triple Gems]), Sòng pha sai (Benefits [gained from the making] of a sand stupa), and Sòng pitaka (Benefits [gained from the making a copy] of the Three Baskets); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 23 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1289, a moeng mao year (AD 1927).
BAD-21-1-0412: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 223 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2515, a ka pao year (AD 1972).
BAD-21-1-0447: Pha pannya palami (Paññā pāramī); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 9 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2500 (AD 1957).
BAD-21-1-0477: Pathama vongsamarini; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 26 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1]144, a tao nyi year (AD 1782).
BAD-21-1-0479: Phalasangkhanya (Balasaṅkhyā), fascicle 3; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 23 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS 1205], a ka mao year (AD 1843).
BAD-21-1-0485: Untitled (Maha vessantara; The Great Vessantara Jātaka); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 16 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS [1]161, a kat mot year (AD 1799).
BAD-21-1-0567: Pupphasikkha vannana (Puppha sikkhā vaṇṇana), Navakovat (Navakovāda), Uppasampatha (Upasampada), and Patchavekhana (Pacchavekkhana); palm-leaf manuscript; 10 fascicles with a total of 256 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS] 1280, BE 2462, a poek sanga year (AD 1918).
BAD-21-1-0594: Maha Munlanipphan (Mahā Mūlanibbāna); one fascicle of 34 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2499 (AD 1956).
BAD-21-1-0604: Thammapattha (Dhammapada); 9 fascicles with a total of 231 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao;
BAD-21-1-0613: Dhammacakkappavattana sutta (The setting in motion of the wheel of the Dhamma), Maha samaya sutta; The great assembly); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 44 folios; CS 1217, a hap mao year (AD 1855); CS 1290, a poek si year (AD 1928).
Official documents
BAD-12-2-1943.003: “A note of census of monks and novices in Vat Saen 1943”, ພັບສໍາມະໂນພະຈົວວັດແສນ 1943, written by Pha Khamchan Virachitto, abbot of Vat Saen Sukharam from 1943 to 1951.
BAD-12-2-1957.183: Pha Thong Thammathinno. 1958. ເຈົ້າອະທິການວັດສີບຸນເຮືອງ ມໍລະນະພາບ [The abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang passed away]. Luang Prabang.
BAD-12-2-1958.046: Pha Bunchan Punyasaro (Phothichitto), director of the Pali school of Luang Prabang. 1958. ກະລຸນານຳສົ່ງພະຄູເມືອຕວດຕາການໂຮງຮຽນປາລີແລະການເຜີຍແຜສີນທຳທີ່ເມືອງໄຊ [Request for sending monks to examine the Pali schools and propagate the Dhamma in Müang Sai]. Luang Prabang.
BAD 12-2-1965.168: Pha Khamchan Virachittao. 1965. ເຈົ້າອະທິການວັດສີມຸງຄຸນມໍລະນະພາບ [The abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun passed away]. Luang Prabang.
Photographs
Official portrait of two monks who were friends. Left: Pha Hung Rattanapannya, abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun; Right: Pha Un Hüan Rattapanayo, Vat Si Mungkhun. The photograph was taken in the late 1920s. Collection of Vat Saen Sukharam. Buddhist Archive No. B0561.
Photograph of Pha Buaphan Vatsaro, abbot of Vat Si Mungkhun while reading the palm-leaf manuscript at his abode in Vat Si Bun Hüang. The photograph was taken in the 1990s. Buddhist Archive No. D5003.
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Interviews
Mr. Chanthahom Udomphong, member of the lay committee of Vat Si Bun Hüang, on 15 March 2016.
Mrs. Buasanit Suksavat, a sister of Mrs. Buasi Suksavat, who was a sister of Sathu Man Muthuchitto, abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang, from Ban Phon Hüang, on 4 August 2017.
Mrs. Phaeng Saengchansavang from Ban Khili, wife of Achan Maha Khamla Udomphet (formerly Sathu Maha Khamla Udomphet, abbot of Vat Si Bun Hüang), on 7 June 2016.
