Illuminated legend of Phra Malai

[Buddhism - Phra Malai]. Phra Malai Kham Luang [The Fable of Phra Malai].

€ 9,500.00

This sumptuously illustrated folding book (samut khoi) tells the legend of the Phra Malai, a beloved adventure fable of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, alongside the Jakata Tales of the past lives of the Buddha, illustrated with 40 miniatures. According to his legend, the monk Phra Malai accumulates so much merit through good deeds and meditation that he acquires supernatural powers, with which he travels across the mortal world, into hell, and to the heavenly realm. Each of these adventures is lavishly illustrated, and told with sometimes risqué good humour.

This manuscript boasts 40 hand-painted illustrations in a fine and detailed style, from animal encounters to the heavenly stupas; several show punishments of hell, and yet another shows the pure gift of eight lotus flowers from a poor woodcutter.

In 19th century Thai Buddhist communities, a fine folding book like this one would often be commissioned for a funeral celebration at which monks would give a theatrical reading of Phra Malai's adventures. This manuscript retains its original dedication: "This Malai was published by donation from Mr. Rord and Mrs. Saeng to worship Phra-Sri-Ariya-Mettrai [the future Buddha] and with this donation they wished to achieve the Nip-parn [Nirvana]" (transl).

Beyond Phra Malai, folding books are an integral part of the manuscript traditions of Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Sri Lanka, likely originating in the latter, and are often called 'khoi books' after the bark paper from which they are made (another common term used in English is parabike, from Cambodian).

The legend of Phra Malai itself is based on an earlier Pali story, but in the Thai manuscript tradition, Phra Malai appears in the vernacular, written in Thai and usually in the Thom Kai script, a variant of Khmer script, but which includes Thai tone markers. Most are illustrated, but the number and quality of the miniatures herein set this manuscript apert.