A Page from the KAMMAVACCA - A Painted and lacquered palm leaf Buddhist manuscript

The "kammawa-sa" in Burmese or "kammavaca" in Pali. This book consists of 16 pages with two gilded wood covers enclosing them. Each page is written in Pali with "tamarind seed" lacquer and its rich looking text is decorated, in this case, with silver designs. They are usually decorated with 24kt gold-leaf. The content of each page are the rules for the correct performance of monastic rituals. The full Kamavaca is usually commissioned for merit for the donor, and was presented to a novice when he became ordained as a monk.

This single page from the Kammavaca has written text and is decorated beautifully on both sides (see inset)and is in excellent condition. We have other pages available for sale.

ca 19th Century

Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)