Kaap Phra Chai Suriya Poem: A Representation of the Governed Citizens based on Buddhist Principles in Sunthorn Phu’s Perspective

Abstract

This research article focuses on 3 main objectives: (1) to study the representations of the governed citizen based on Buddhist principles in Sunthorn Phu’s perspective in Kaap Phra Chai Suriya poem, and (2) to examine the linguistic strategies used in conveying these representations based on Buddhist principles in Sunthorn Phu’s perspective in Kaap Phra Chai Suriya Poem. It was qualitative type of research using data collected from online sources, the Vajirayana website, including 119 stanzas of Sunthorn Phu’s “Kaap Phra Chai Suriya” and “Supasit Sorn Stree” analyzed by the frameworks of representation theory and linguistic strategy.

The result showed that 1) Sunthorn Phu presented a total of 8 representations of the governed citizens based on Buddhist principles including 4 positive representations of Govern citizens: Showing respect to the respectable people, being individuals with proper manners, Being practitioners of right livelihood. Conversely, other 4 negative representations also identified the governed citizens: Showing disrespect to the respectable people, being driven by sensual desire, Being dishonest, and Lacking of loving kindness. These representations are in accordance with Buddhist principles including the Thirty-Eight Blessings (Mangala Sutta), the Four Brahmaviharas, the Seven Qualities of a Good Person (Sappurisa-dhamma), the Five Precepts, and the Four Noble Truths. 2) There were 6 linguistic strategies used in conveying these representations based on Buddhist principles in Sunthorn Phu’s perspective including lexical choice, metaphor, allusion, sentence, presupposition and speech acts.