Manuscripts

Arizona State University is the archival repository for the Guardian of the Flame Sri Lanka Manuscripts Collection, the largest collection of Sri Lankan Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts outside of Sri Lanka and the British Library.  Most of these manuscripts date to the 18th and 19th centuries and include Buddhist commentaries in Pali and Sinhalese languages, grammars, and astrological and medicinal texts. Collectively, they offer insight into the textual communities of Sinhala Buddhism and their historical and cultural interpretations. In addition to their textual and historical value, the Guardian of the Flame Collection contains manuscripts with illuminated and decorated covers, augmenting their aesthetic and art historical significance.  Special arrangements can be made for the collection to be made available for inspection upon request.