The oldest known copy of this text at the present time, and possibly also the oldest extant book written in a Thai language, is a palm leaf manuscript with a Chula Sakkarad date corresponding to 1516 A.D. Written in the Tham script, the treatise employs a dual language format consisting of Pali passages followed by their Lan Na Thai equivalents

This dissertation is a scholarly study of the story of the Arhat Maliyadeva, found in its oldest Thai rescension. This story is traditionaly found in the Vessantara Jātaka. Looking at two other later editions, the study examines various meaning and uses of the story in different contexts for different purposes. Also included is a translation of the highly literary Kham Luang (royal version) of the story.