The Manjusri Vasthu Vidya Sastra is a manuscript of the 5th or 6th century CE that gives the basis on which Sri Lankan Buddhist monasteries, towns, houses are constructed.
It contains detailed information concerning plans, structures and the auspicious placement of particular elements.
The text of the Manjusri Vasthu Vidya Sastra is in Sanskrit but written in Sinhala script.
[citation needed] The elements of Sri Lankan monasteries may appear to be randomly placed because they differ in layout.
There is provision for placing the entrances north, south, east, or west, but there were conditions for this.
It gave advice on the preparation and application of glues, pigments and pastes, and on the carving of elephants and horses, indicating the correct proportions of these animals.