The Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies

Balliol Lecture Room XXIII

Monday 16^th Jan, 5:30 pm

Given by Dr. Sarah Shaw

The eighteenth century in Siam saw the increased popularity of the folding book (samut khoi), a chanting manual and aide de memoire for monks. Made with long strips of khoi (mulberry) paper, folded concertina style, the samut khoi is usually the same shape as the traditional palm-leaf manuscript, but opens out like a Western codex book.  Often decorated with rich and beautifully executed paintings, this new form afforded varied opportunities for artists and calligraphers that older manuscripts had not. This paper discusses one outstanding example of the samut khoi, at present in the Bodleian Library. It examines the background of its depictions of scenes from the life of the Buddha and his past lives: the Buddha's biography and his adventures in the last ten Jātaka stories, as the Bodhisatta, preparing for his final life, are shown in a magnificent series of illustrations flanking the written text. As a whole, this folding book poses many questions. It also offers a glimpse into Southeast and South Asian Buddhist art, practice and doctrine at the end of the eighteenth century, and, through its fascinating provenance, some insight into how these were viewed by the West.

BODL. MS. Pali a. 27(R) is currently on display in the Treasures of the Bodleian exhibition, Bodleian Library, until December 23rd 2011.