Theosophical University Press Online Edition
APPENDIX
Dhammapada palm leaf manuscripts (750-1815 A.D.)
The following are some of the rarest Dhammapada manuscripts,
their commentaries, subcommentaries, and also commentaries on
commentaries, with the monastery libraries where they are housed.
The translator elected to visit the easily accessible Vihara libraries.
The student may be interested to note that there are more than
950 recognized monastery libraries where he may find other compilations
on Dhammapada which have never seen the light in
print. Even in the British Library are different compilations
of this scripture; and photostat copies of them may be obtained
in Sinhalese script, Burmese script, or in Cambodian characters.
Their reference numbers are:
a) Sinhalese-Pali, I - 151 b and II - 551 W II (I).
b) Burmese, leaves 126 (K-T) Or 6454 A.P.
c) Cambodian characters, 360 leaves incomplete Or 1273 P.
I. Dhammapadam (Pali)
- Subadrarama Vihara Monastery of Rt. Venerable Dharmapala Nayaka
Thera, Batapola
- Abhinavaramaya, Kosgoda
- Pushparama Maha Viharaya, Balapitiya
There are more than 236 monastery libraries where palm leaf manuscripts
of this work are preserved.
II. Dhampiya (Sinhalese)
- Totagamu Raja Maha Viharaya, Telwatta
- Rankoth Viharaya, Ambalangoda
- Gintota Purana Pirivena, Gintota, near Galle
III. Dhammapada Attha Katha (commentary on the
legends of Dhammapada)
- Gangarama Viharaya, Pitigala
- Bodhimalu Raja Maha Viharaya, Bentota
- Siri Sobhanaramaya, Kahawa, Telwatta
This text is available also in 265 other monastery libraries.
IV. Dhammapada Sannaya (verbatim Sinhalese translation
of Dhammapada with the Pali text)
- Paramananda Viharaya, Minuwangoda, Galle
- Thuparamaya, Gintota
- Vijayananda Maha Viharaya, Galle
The same palm leaf manuscript is available at 230 other monastery
libraries.
V. Dhammapada Vyakhyava (commentary on Dhammapada)
- Svetabimbaramaya, Bope, Galle
- Ahangama Maha Viharaya, Ahangama
- Saddharmakara Pirivena, Pinwatta, Panadura
Available at eight other monastery libraries.
VI. Dhammapada Varnana (explanatory commentary
on Dhammapada in Sinhalese)
- Vevurukannala Maha Viharaya, Dikwella
- Ambarikkaramaya, Balapitiya
- Naradda Purana Viharaya, Hakmana
Available at about four other monastery libraries.
VII. Dhammapada Katha (Dhammapada
stories)
- Ratna-Giri Purana Viharaya, Ganegama, Baddegama
- Sudarshanarama, Denipitiya
- Jayarnaha Viharaya, Rekawa, Netolpitiya
There are only two other places where the palm leaf manuscript
of this work is available.
VIII. Dhammapada Atuvava (Sinhalese commentary
on Dhammapada)
- Abayasinharamaya, Maradana, Colombo
- Sailabimbaramaya, Dodanduwa,
- Ananddramaya, Kitulampitiya, Galle
There are more than 270 other monasteries where palm leaf manuscripts
of this work are housed.
IX. Dhammapada Purana Sannaya (ancient Sinhalese commentary
on Dhammapada)
- Ganegodalle Raja Maha Viharaya, Kosgoda
- Jetavana Pirivena Raja Maha Viharaya, Akuressa
There are only two places where this work is available.
X. Dhammapada Gatha Desu Aya (individuals to
whom the Dhammapada Gathas were preached)
Only one copy of this palm leaf manuscript is available. It is
housed in the monastery library of Nyagrodharamaya, Gonapeenuwala,
Hikkaduwa.
XI. Dhammapada Vistara Sannaya (a comprehensive
verbatim Sinhalese rendition with copious notes)
This rare manuscript is available only at the monastery library
of Sunandarama Viharaya, Unawatuna, Galle.
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