SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis embodies the results of my study of Dharma-Pradipikava - an important Sinhalese classical work belonging to the latter half of the 12th century. The text is edited with the help of six old palm leaf manuscripts and several important emendations made in the text. In the Introduction the historical background of the work and the available information about its author Gurulu-Gomi are discussed. The subject matter of the work and other incidental information which the book supplies have been analyzed. The style of the author is commented on and the linguistio peculiarities to be found in the work are discussed. The language of the book is compared with that of Amavatura - the other work of the same author. The value of Dharma-Pradipikava as a compendium of Buddhism as well as a literary composition is discussed, and, the sources which Gurulu-Gomi probably consulted are also indicated in the Introduction. The particulars of the Skt. and Pali books, from which the author has quoted prose passages and verses are given in the Appendix.