This thesis is of three objectives as (1) to study the history and development of the Tai Khun’s Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony in Keng Tung, (2) to study the rhetoric and the melody of Tai Khun’s Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony in Keng Tung and (3) to investigate the values of Tai Khun’s Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony in Keng Tung.

             The results revealed that There is no clear evidence of the Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony, but it is assumed that it was started in the reign of King Phraya Yuu commanded his son named Chao Jed Phan Tu with the Elder monks to rule the town of Chiang Tung in B.E 1882. It was found the evidence that Vessantarajataka was composed by Chao Fah Maha Khanan, the ruler of Keng Tung between B.E. 2365 – 2371. After that, the Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony was started and the ruler offered 110 Vessantarajataka Scriptures.

             In terms of rhetoric and melody, it was divided into 2 rhetoric viz. prose and poetry. The prose is a simple essay but the verse is composed of poetry with the beautiful rhythmic. The melodic of Vessantarajataka recitation is classified into two as the Dhammawatra and Mahajati. The rhythm of Dhammawatra is recited by a group of monks, while the rhythm of Mahajati is recited by a monk through a rhythm of restraint, with punctuation according to the breath of the sermon.

             Regarding the values of Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony, the author has inserted the Buddhist Doctrines in the content of Mahajati with lifestyles, traditions, and customs of the Tai Khun in Keng Tung harmoniously. Therefore, the Vessantarajataka recitation ceremony creates all values for Tai Khun in Keng Tung.

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