An Analytical Research of Mulsikha

The origin of vinaya manuals are well known. It is recorded that when king Devanampiyatissa asked Arhat Mahinda whether the Buddhist discipline was established in the island the Arhat’s answer was that "Although it has been planted it will take root only when a monk born of Sinhala parents has studied and mastered the Vinaya". It is therefore logical to presume that it was this revelation that set in motion a rich literary tradition of composing of manuals of monastic discipline. The origin of a specific Sinhala literary tradition in the country was the ultimate result. It included the writing of Katikavatas composed mainly in terse and accurate legal idiom. Heranasikha and Heranasikhavinisa belong to this category although they are of a latter period. The author's research follows a logical sequence in its presentation. The book commences with a section on ‘Abbreviations’ - that is references made in the text on grammar lexical references and source - books. The Introduction provided by the researcher spells out the central theme of his research which according to him is that the ‘Mulsikha’ is the same as what was traditionally referred to as ‘Sikhavalanda’. According to the researcher the ‘Sikhavalanda’ is an erroneous term used the more logical title being ‘Mulsikha ‘. He proceeds to say that Sikhavalanda and Sikhavalanda vinisa are synonymous and in fact Sikhavalanda is an alternative name used for Sikhavalandavinisa. However Mulsikha should be its correct name. As expressed by Prof. Induragare Dhammaratana Thero the researcher ‘employs his logical perception to arrive at this conclusion’. The Introduction is followed by the Mulsikha text. This is followed by the English Translation of the text Etymological index and ultimately the Bibliography. These main chapters are interspersed by the researcher’s explanation on the system of transliteration used in the text and throughout the thesis the Textual Criticism the Title of the research work Interpolations Authorship The Relationship between Mulsikha and Mulasikkha The Date of Mulsikha The Language and Grammar of Mulsikha. Its approach is thus multifaceted.