Handbook of Pali Literature

The book begins with information on the author, Somapala Jayawardhana, a scholar of Pāli and Buddhist Studies at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The preliminary pages include publication details, dedication, preface, acknowledgements, abbreviations, and a list of headwords arranged under authors, books, and general terms. In the preface, the author explains that the handbook is intended as a simple guide to the major landmarks of Pāli literature, excluding the modern period. The main section presents entries on important Pāli works and authors, including Abhidhamma texts, grammatical manuals, chronicles, commentaries, canonical divisions, and post-canonical compositions. The supplement, bibliography, and index provide additional support for research and cross-reference. Overall, the book functions as a compact reference tool for identifying Pāli texts, authorship, literary classification, historical context, and related scholarly information.