Abstract

                        Three objectives of this research “An Analytical Study of the Dhamma in Teaching Literature of Most Venerable Phrarajprasithikhun (Sunan Suphãcãro)” were (1) to study Phrarajprasithikhun’s biography and teaching literary works, (2) to study analytically the Buddhist principles in Phrarajprasithikhun’s teaching literary words, and (3) to study the value and importance of Phrarajprasithikhun’s teaching literary words.

                        A result of this study was found that Phrarajprasithikhun was one of the well-known Buddhist monks to propagate the Buddhist principles toward the communities. Because he was born for many years, he had experienced a lot of events and was one of learned monks about the worldly and religious knowledge. By this way, he was ready to show his knowledge and experience through the teaching literature: prose and poems written in Isan local language. His teaching literary works were divided into five types: (1) history literature such as Pusangkasa Yasangkasi, (2) teaching literature such as the teaching of gratitude and effort, (3) fox tales such as Sang Sin Chai and Khulunang-ua, (4) Buddhist literature such as the Buddha’s biography in the section of Bodhisatta coming to Sirimahamaya’s pregnancy, (5) miscellaneous literature such as Dhamma puzzle. These types of literature were written in many aspects: Lamchingchu, Klonsalapanya, Lamthangyaw, Tey, Kapchirng, Klonpaed, etc.

                        Dhamma seen in the teaching literature covered both ethical teachings such as ability to help oneself, carefulness, fulfillment of merit, freedom from the habit-forming drug, harmony, and Buddhist truths, i.e. Four Noble Truths, Three Characteristics, Five Aggregates, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and Law of Kamma. The teachings about general knowledge and local knowledge was represented through changing the letters by changing Thai-noy scripts and Dhamma scripts into Isan local scripts such as Dhammada-sonlok, Doakamprachansamut and Chanasandachadok. All of these literary works kept all principles and local knowledge in literary works for the next generation.

                        Value in Phrarajprasithikhun’s teaching literary works was found in many aspects such as promotion of stronger societies, preserve of ideas and local knowledge, promotion of mental development, and propagation of Buddhist principles. Moreover, it was also seen in many branches of knowledge such as religions, preserve of local knowledge, representation of local life, histories, and important education.