From Nan to Luang Prabang: The Buddhist Heritage of Northern Laos as Reflected in Recently Discovered Manuscript Collections
Abstract
Luang Prabang and Nan can look upon a glorious past as most eminent Buddhist kingdoms. During the first half of the nineteenth century both kingdom were important centres of manuscript production. Luang Prabang has remained not only the centre of Lao Buddhism but also a place where the Buddhist manuscript culture of Laos is still alive. Sathu Nyai Khamchan Virachitto (1920–2007), the venerable abbot of Vat Saen Sukharam and head of the provincial Sangha, has created impressive collections of manuscripts and other documents, including historical photographs, which now are part of the cultural heritage of Luang Prabang. The analysis of colophons in manuscripts recording religious texts show some surprising aspects, such as the high percentage of layawomen who acted as the primary supporters (mūlasaddā) sponsering the making of manuscripts. In addition, there is evidence of a royal presence among the sponsors and donors. The study of colophons helps to increase our understanding of the relationship between scribes and sponsors/donors but also among different sponsors/donors when commissioning the making of manuscripts.
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Manuscripts
Vat Xiang Thòng collection
BAD-17-1-0008: Nyòt tham (Supreme Dhamma); palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 7folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CE 1286, a kap cai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0014: Sakkaban (part of the Vessantara Jataka); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 14 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; CE 1286, a kap cai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0015: Chulaphon (part of the Vessantara Jataka); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 18 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; CE 1286, a kap cai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0028: Lam Mahavet (Vessantara Jataka); palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 31
folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CE 1286, a kap cai year
(AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0029: Sapphasut (All kinds of Sutta); palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 31folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao;
CE 1274, a tao chai year (AD 1912).
BAD-17-1-0031: Thatsaphòn (part of the Vessantara Jataka); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 18 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; CS 1286, a hap khai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0138: Malai saen (Phra Malai), fascicle 2; palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 12 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao, Lao;
undated.
BAD-17-1-0173: Upa sam pha tha kam ma va cha; palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 30 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS
or CS 1286 (AD 1920 or 1924).
BAD-17-1-0221: Maha Munlanipphan (Mahā Mūlanibbāna); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 41 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; AD 1942, a tao sanga year.
BAD-17-1-0284: Sòng thung lek (Benefits gained from making
an iron flag); palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 4 folios;
language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; unknown.
BAD-17-1-0320: Untitled (Lam Phavetsantara; Sakkati); palm-leaf manu
script; one fascicle of 19 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham
Lao; CS 1271, a kat hao year (AD 1909).
BAD-17-1-0327: Untitled (Lam paet mün); palm-leaf manuscript; one
fascicle of 20 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; [CS]
, a moeng pao year (AD 1817).
BAD-17-1-0332: Himmaphan (part of the Vessantara Jataka); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 19 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; CS 1286, a kap chai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0366: Untitled (Kammavaca); palm-leaf manuscript; 1 fascicles
with a total number of 55 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham
Lao; CS 1174, a kap sanga year (AD 1812).
BAD-17-1-0369: Salòng maha vetsantara (Benefits gained from
the sponsoring of Vessantara Jataka manuscripts); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 8 folios; language: Lao, Pali;
Script: Tham Lao; CS 1286, a kap chai year (AD 1924).
BAD-17-1-0375: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 8 folios;
language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS 1276, a poek si year (AD
.
BAD-17-1-0414: Niyai ngua nòi (Story of the little calf); palm-leaf
manuscript; one fascicle of 7 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script:
Tham Lao; CS 1138, a moeng khai year (AD 1776).
BAD-17-1-0436: Sisuthon; palm-leaf manuscript; one fascicle of 33 folios;
language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE 2516, a ka pao year (AD
.
BAD-17-1-0437: Phimpha hamhai (Paññā pāramī); palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 34 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE
(AD 1974).
BAD-17-1-0440: Niyai sangkanibat, first fascicle; palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 26 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; BE
, a huang khai year (AD 1972).
BAD-17-1-0540: Himmaphan (part of the Vessantara Jataka); one
fascicle of 19 folios; language: Lao, Pali; script: Tham Lao; CS
, a kap chai year (AD 1924). Vat Si Bun Hüang collection
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-21-1-0478: Untitled (Vohan Thesana suttasom), palm-leaf manuscript;
one fascicle of 26 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).
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