your photo is upside down.
This is an ola leaf manuscript from Sri Lanka and contains a text in Pāli written in Sinhalese script.
The text is the famous Dhammapada which forms part of the Khuddakanikāya, the fifth collection
of the basket of the dialogues of the Buddha (suttapiṭaka). Depending on the length of the manuscript
it may contain multiple canonical texts or a commentary on the Dhammapada in addition. This can only be said,
by looking at the entire manuscript or at least at the first and last leaves.
The text is so well known and documented in so many manuscripts that this manuscript most probably
would not be important regarding the text constitution, but naturally this can only be said by looking
into it. It is written by a skilled hand. Probably it originated in the 19th c. CE (but this is a mere guess). As a recipient I would suggest a university library that has manuscript collections. It should not be so difficult to find one via the internet. Since such manusripts need
to be cared for in order to survive longer time periods it always is good to keep them in safe places.
Best,
Petra Kieffer-Pülz
[Attachment(s) from Bruce Simpson included below]
Hello Pali Study Group,
I am the executor of an estate for a family member who recently passed away. We discovered the manuscript that is pictured here.
What can anyone tell me about the likely origin/age/significance of this? Do you need me to take closer images of the writing to make an opinion?
Does this have financial value?
Would it be appropriate to donate it rather than sell it, and if so, what kind of organization (museum, temple...) would be the right recipient?
Thank you in advance for any help!
Bruce