This palm leaf manuscript contains Bhikkhu Patimokkha and Bhikkhuni Patimokkha (rules to be obeyed in communities of monks and nuns respectively).
The edges of the leaves are gilt, and the volume is elegantly inscribed in black ink, with Burmese square script. The margins of the opening and closing leaves record the sponsorship of King Mindon of Burma (r.1853–1878), founder of Mandalay or ‘City of Gems’. The edges of the leaves are gilt and some blank leaves at the beginning, in the middle and at the end are stuck together with string. The leaves are bound between gilt boards with red ornaments.
Bhikkhus (ordained male monastics) follow certain sets of rules laid down in the Patimokkha. The word ‘patimokkha’ refers to the two sets of codified rules that govern the monks’ and nuns’ lives. A bhikkhu is expected to observe all 227 rules of monastic discipline.
View images of the entire manuscripts via our Digitised Manuscripts website.
Public Domain in most countries other than the UK.
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