Abstract

This research aims to examine the development of traditional Lanna preaching styles and to investigate the factors influencing their development.  It is qualitative research.  Content analysis, the transcript from Dhamma preaching tape records and in-depth interviews were used as data collecting methods.

The findings revealed that Dhamma preaching in Traditionnal Lanna style has a specific form. The preaching monk has to sit on a high throne, reading scriptures recorded on the palm leaf with a local rhythm.  While the audience sit calmly and properly with 2 hands put together in a lotus shape.  The audience behavior shows high respect towards the Dhamma which represents the Buddha verse.  It is believed that listening to Dhamma not only brings great wisdom, increases faith to the Triple Gem among the audience, but also brings significant merit and allows the audience to greatly spread this merit to their ancestors.

After the Lanna Kingdom was dissolved and became part of the Northern region of Thailand in 1899, rules, regulations as well as the education system in Lanna were reformed by the Central Thai. This resulted in the Lanna people becoming fluent in speaking, reading, writing and listening in the Thai Language.  While Lanna language became less important and was never promoted since then. Hence the new generation of Lanna people especially monks were unable to read and write Lanna language. This is why today's scriptures are mostly adapted and recorded in the Thai language and printed on the folded hard paper replicating the palm leaf style for more convenience. Furthermore, the impromptu rhetoric preaching style from a preaching monk from central Thai also spread to Lanna.

The significant characteristics of the impromptu rhetoric preaching style is the way a preaching monk sitting on a lower open seat with two hands holding the scripture at his chest level,  simply preaches without reading from the scripture.  This preaching style is called the impromptu rhetoric preaching style or oral Dhamma preaching.

The venerable Phra Napeeseephisalkhun (Phramaha Kamping Gunãkarõ), the first Lanna monk who converted to Dhammayutthi order at Wat Bovorn Nivet Viharn was ordered by Somdej Phra Maha Samanachao Prince Vachirayanvaroros to reform the Lanna Buddhist Sangha. That reform was the first time the impromptu rhetoric preaching style was introduced. Later on in 1948, the venerable Phra Dhammakosajarn (Buddhadasa Bhikkhu) and the venerable Phrabrammamaggalajarn (Paññanada Bhikkhu) came to preach Buddhism in Chiang Mai province.  The way they preached was by standing in the public instead of sitting on a throne or on a seat.  This led to three new different ways of preaching that Lanna Buddhist monks developed, by harmonizing new and traditional Lanna ways together.

Three new preaching styles are developed as follows.

1.  The impromptu rhetoric preaching style mixed with a central Thai preaching monk style. Firstly, if there is only one preaching monk, it is called "The Solo Preaching".  Secondly, if there are two preaching monks, one preaching monk shoots the questions and another monk will give the answers,  it is called " The Duo Preaching".  Thirdly, if there are three preaching monks, it is called "The Trio Preaching".  However, the expression and its story lines are delivered within the Lanna context.

2.  The impromptu rhetoric preaching mixed with  traditional Lanna style

3.  The speech based preaching style.

Factors influencing the development of Dhamma preaching in Lanna are as follows:

1.  The social and cultural change

2.  The educational and attitudinal changes among Lanna   Buddhist monks

3.  The attitudinal change and change in needs of the Dhamma listeners in Lanna

The development of Dhamma preaching styles in Lanna led to the modern and up to date way of Dhamma preaching.  This helps Lanna people gain more knowledge, understanding and become more interested in listening to Dhamma preaching. While the traditional Lanna preaching style remains only a part of the Buddhist ceremony.