SURVEY OF THE PÃLI GRAMMAR IN ARIYAKA SCRIPT COMPOSED BY KING RAMA IV

Abstract

This article aims to 1) examine the structure and content of the Pali Grammar textbook composed in the Ariyaka script by King Rama IV in 1842 by analyzing its presentation techniques, and 2) investigate its textual relation with other Pali Grammar textbooks by comparing it with Mūlakaccāyana, A traditional Pali Grammar, and Compendious Pali Grammar with a copious Vocabulary in the same Language (1824) composed in the Western perspective by Reverend Benjamin Clough. This research is conducted by surveying documents, using a photocopy of the Pali Grammar textbook composed in Ariyaka script, which was graciously provided in 2022 by Phra Brahmasakyavamsavisuddhi, the assistant abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. The textbook is examined by analyzing its content, sequence of content, detail, and method of presentation, followed by a comparison with the other two Pali Grammar textbooks as mentioned above.

It is found that 1) the Pali Grammar textbook composed in Ariyaka script offers only a concise overview of two subjects: orthography and nouns. The latter is categorized into two subdivisions: general nouns (nāma) and a selection of irregular nouns (katipaya). It presents the characteristics of nouns, noun declension tables along with examples of words that share the same declension, and a summary of some grammatical rules presented in the form of verses, and 2) the textbook shares the similarities with Mūlakaccāyana in terms of contents, as well as with Compendious Pali Grammar with a copious Vocabulary in the same Language (1824) in terms of structure. i.e. the use of noun declension tables.