Abstract

                 The research is an analytical study of knowledge on Buddhism in Buddhist Texts at Wat Sungmen in Phrae Province, which there are three objectives, namely, 1) to study of the history of the collection of Buddhist Texts at Wat Sungmen, Sungmen District Phrae Province, 2) to study and changing the Buddhist Texts in Wat Sungmen, and 3) to an analytical study the knowledge on Buddhism in Buddhist Texts at Wat Sungmen in Prhae Province. This is the document study which collected the Buddhist Texts, Literature, concerned historical evidence and bring its analyze the knowledge in Pali Language, Buddhist doctrine and Buddhist understanding. It was found that :-

                 The history of collection of Buddhist Texts at Wat Sungmen found that it is collection the most palm scriptures which are Lanna language in Lanna. There are Buddhist texts more than 8,845 scriptures, which counted more than 84,500 scriptures. The oldest text in Wat Sungmen is the Aṭṭhakathã-uparipaṇṇãsa Text, it is 458 years old which is written in T.E. 912 (2093 B.E.). The collection of the Buddhist Texts was preceded from building the Wat Sungmen for 300 years ago. In especially the period of Kruba Kancana-Araññavãsĩ (2332-2412 B.E.), he had collected the Buddhist Texts from other temples and other places such as Luangphrabang, Chiengmai, Lampun, Myanmar, Phrae etc. An identity of the process of collection of Buddhist Texts is “Taktam Festival” and locality belief for preservation the other Buddhist Texts; it is the preservation for texts, Buddhist cabinet, Texts hall, and the belief which giving Buddhist Texts is donation.

                 Then, the changing and an analysis of the knowledge on Buddhist texts in the Kuyhatthadĩpanĩmahãganṭhĩ and Mũlakammaṭṭhãnabhãvirati Scriptures were found that the monk who wrote the Kuyhatthadĩpanĩmahãganṭhĩ Scripture, he has knowledge well in Pali he could be able to write it. Although the characters and structures of language appearing are not beautiful and it is not same the Pali Literature in the goal age of Lanna literature (1985 – 2068 B.E.). However, it found that the monk who wrote it taking the knowledge from Tipiṭaka, Aṭṭhakathã, tĩkã to explain well. The 0factors of knowledge appearing in two Scriptures were found that it is knowledge correspond to the Buddhist principle as follows:

                 1) Knowledge in the Buddhist history and Buddhist Council

                 2) Knowledge factor in the important Buddhist principles such as Paṭiccasamuppãda (the Dependent Origination), Ariya-sacca (the four Noble Truths) etc.

                 3) Knowledge factor of Abhidhamma which is Paṭisandhicitta (the mind of rebirth), Cuticitta (death-consciousness), Vithĩcitta (process of cognition), and Paṭṭhãna (the book of Causal Relations)        

                 4) Knowledge factor of the important Buddhist principles such as Kusala (Wholesome), Akusala (Unwholesome), Kamma (Action), Vipãka (Result), Lokiyajhãna  (mundane-meditation), Lokuttara-jhãna (supramundane-meditation), Rũpabhava (the Form-Sphere), Arũpabhava (the Formless-Sphere)

                 5) Knowledge factor of the important Buddhist place according to the history of Buddhism such as Buddha’s place, Muccarindara pond, and tradition concerned.

                 6) Knowledge factor of Buddhist vocabularies such as Samantacakkhu and the vocabularies appearing in the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta, Anattalakkhaṇasutta which explain the hard word to easy understand.

                      7) Knowledge factor of the lowest and highest ordination, it give the detail of tradition, giving the five Kammaṭṭhãnana, using the right words, and the duty of preceptor etc.

                      8) Knowledge factor of the perfection of Lord Buddha and his noble disciples, the development of Calm and Insight Meditation etc.

                 The knowledge factors appearing in the Buddhist Texts of Wat Sungmen is the Buddhist knowledge factor namely, the knowledge factor of conception, the principle of Buddhism and knowledge factor or intelligence which mix together with the local wisdom such as the explanation knowledge mixing with the Buddhist knowledge factor and the local belief.  It referred belief of Buddhism and location that is belonging to the old-masters. These factors have appeared in the general knowledge characters such as tradition, festival and local or folk belief.

                 From study above, it found that the Buddhist Texts only Wat Sungmen, Sungmen District Phrae Province has a lot of the Buddhist knowledge factors. It also has the knowledge factor which corresponded with Theravada Buddhist principles and the knowledge factor mixing of Lanna belief. It is the source of Buddhist doctrine, belief, the way of practice, and cultural heritage which continue from the age to age. Although, the time and social circumstance had changed but the knowledge factor inscribing in the scripture could answer the story in the past and the principle should practise following the Buddhism continually.

Keyword: Literature, Buddhist Texts, knowledge on Buddhism