Guidelines for Preserving Palm Leaf Manuscripts of Temples in Mae Wang District Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This research article has three main objectives: 1) to study the history of palm leaf manuscripts in Buddhism, 2) to examine the context and challenges of conserving palm leaf manuscripts in temples in Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province, and 3) to propose conservation strategies for these manuscripts in the area. The research utilizes a combination of historical study and field surveys.

The findings reveal that: 1) Palm leaf manuscripts hold significant importance in Buddhism, with the first written inscriptions of teachings occurring during the Fifth Buddhist Council in Sri Lanka in 433 CE, to prevent errors in oral transmission. 2) The conservation of palm leaf manuscripts in Mae Wang District faces challenges both from internal factors, such as material degradation, and external factors, such as pollution, temperature fluctuations, and the decline in Lanna script education. 3) The proposed conservation strategy involves four steps: surveying and gathering information, preparing for conservation by raising awareness among stakeholders, performing conservation actions through cleaning and organizing the manuscripts, and ensuring sustainability by establishing learning centers and conservation networks within the community. The study concludes that the conservation of palm leaf manuscripts requires systematic and ongoing efforts, particularly in building community knowledge and understanding to preserve this cultural heritage.