The objectives of this thesis are : (1) to study the background and the importance of Nirat Phukhaothong and Nirat Muangphet, (2) to analyze the Buddhist Principles as stated in Nirat Phukhaothong and Nirat Muangphet, and (3) to synthesize the Buddhist principles as stated in the two Literatures to Thai society.
The result of this study shows that the Nirat is a style of romantic origin; it describes the sorrows arising to the highborn characters who parted from ones near and dear to them and going on long journeys to fateful missions. These early Nirat were written in the Glon or Kloang form, for example, Nirat Narin or Nirat Muang Klaeng which are the literatures written in the early Ayutthaya period. Furthermore, it is still popular and demonstrative until the present time. In general, writing the Nirat may be composed in verse or prose, because the significance in writing does not the main point ; with the composition, but with the content and process describing the sorrows as a basis.
The principles of Buddhism as found in Nirat Phukhaothong and Nirat Muangphet are as follows: - the Three Characteristics of Existence, Kamma, Four Holy Abiding and the Virtues to be established in the mind, Right Speech, Gracing virtues, Not to associate with the fools, the Five Precepts, the Eight Wordly conditions, and the Gratefulness.
The Literature themselves would be beneficial to Thai society summarized as follows;-
1. Literary beneficial to person: Literature created by human being is the favorite art that the people use to satisfy themselves and others. The social art, thus, helps to fulfill their spirits;
2. Literary beneficial to family: if a family starts reading together, it is an easy way to create the relationship between father, mother and children, because the parents can create some games to play with their children; meanwhile, reading together can create the good relationship in the family and encourage children to develop their physical body and mind;
3. Literary beneficial to sociality: the Literature is assumed as a mirror of an age owing to the fact that the literature can very well reflect the daily and social lives.
Specially, the ten groups of Dhamma or the principles of Buddhism as stated and found in the said Nirat, all of them are in conformity to Thai faith and the way of life of many people.
Hence, these principles of Buddhism have been properly marked in Sunthonbhu’s writings and thus inspire people both in the worldly and in the righteous living.
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