Palm leaf manuscript of Gautama Buddha.

Outer wooden covers (Kamba) and the first and last pages of the Pali text of Dhammapada in Sinhalese characters.This palm leaf manuscript (17 1/2"x 2 1/2) is believe to be the oldest extant copy of the scripture.

The upper cover depicts the Bodhi tree in green, under which the mendicant Gautama is said to have attained supreme enlightment, and eight stupas colored amber against a red background. The lower cover shows a relic casket and two stupas beside the Sri Pada Mountain with the Buddha's footprint, and portrays also the Great Passing of the Buddha into Parinirvana.