Book of Buddhist Scriptures (Kamawa-sa), Myanmar (Burma), 19th century, Cloth, wood, lacquer, gold leaf, On loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, 2014.55.10.1

Book of Buddhist Scriptures (Kamawa-sa), Myanmar (Burma), 19th century, Cloth, wood, lacquer, gold leaf, On loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, 2014.55.10.1

This Burmese book of Buddhist scriptures (Kamawa-sa) includes selections written in Pali from the Tipitaka (literally, 'three baskets') of Therevada, the most ancient form of Buddhism. Costly and ornate Kamawa-sa were written on cloth or palm leaves in square tamarind-seed script (magyi si sar), and offered as gifts to a monastery to commemorate the taking of religious vows. Sometimes the cloth pages were made from the robe of a respected elder monk, lacquered and coated in gold. Digital images of the covers and each leaf of the Kamawa-sa are available to view and download on the Royal Ontario Museum's website here.

Dimensions: 16 x 57.5 cm

Material: Lacquer and gold leaf on cloth, wood

ROM 2014.55.10.1

Myanmar

Photographer credit: Courtesy of the Royal Ontario Museum

19th century

Sanskrit

Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum

Book of Buddhist Scriptures (Kamawa-sa)