King Rama IV’s Royal announcement on the Topic of the Restoration of Wat Chaiyaphruek Mala and Wat Khema Phirataram: The Study of Manuscripts

Abstract

This article aims to study the manuscripts of King Rama IV’s Royal announcement on the topic of the restoration of Wat Chaiyaphruek Mala and Wat Khema Phirataram by analysing characteristic features and contents of three primary documents – the khoi-paper folded book (Samut Thai) Ms. no. 59, Ms. no. 368 and Ms. no. 462 kept in King Rama IV’s Royal Statement collection (without Thai Minor Era dating) in the National Library. The study reveals that the khoi-paper folded books Ms. no. 368 and Ms. no.462 are scrawled handwritten drafts whereas the khoi-paper folded book Ms. no. 59 is the typical one written later by a scribe as well as the completely compiled version of the first two drafts. It contains more details than the published version, too. As for content analysis, the restoration of four monasteries is mentioned – Wat Chaiyaphruek Mala, Wat Khema Phirataram, Wat Ratchasittharam and Wat Ratchadathitthan. Additionally, the document refers to the celebration of these newly-restored temples held at Thai Royal Ground (Sanam Luang), so the topic was probably written by the king in 1863. Besides, the king’s dedicative remark at the end of this topical statement indicates his religious aspiration as a Buddhist – not wishing for future enlightenment like the previous kings but for cessation of suffering.