Gharavasa Dhamma in Lanna Scripts Paed Leaeng Ork Yord

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the Gharāvāsadhamma (virtues for a good household life)  in   Lanna scripts called Paed Leaeng Ork Yord by analyzing how Gharāvāsa dhamma  is expressed through the characters  in the tale.  This documentary  research analyzes the  Paed  Leaeng  Ork  Yord  version from Wat  Srisuwan, a temple in Chiang Rai province  and compares it with the principles of Gharāvāsadhamma as found in the Tipitaka.

              Results of the study showed that the principles of Gharāvāsadhamma as appeared in this Lanna scripture were not explicitly presented according to each principle listed in  Tipitaka Gharāvāsadhamma. Instead, the author implicitly expresses the moral virtues of family life while using metaphorical meaning to hint at each principle. The Lanna narration depicts three household or families: 1) the household of Jotikasetthi and Nang Anoja, 2) the household of Duggata (the poor) and Nang Anoja, and 3) the household of Jotikasetthi and his new wife. The household of Jotikasetthi and Nang Anoja, and the household of Jotikasetthi and his new wife did not conform to the family virtues as advised in Gharāvāsa dhamma. Consequently, later on they became beggars. In contrast, the household life of Duggata and Nang Anoja regularly practiced Gharāvāsadhamma. Therefore, the lives of the husband and wife were transformed from misery to affluence and happiness. Later, both of them became the king and queen of the city of Baranasi.

              The Paed Leaeng Ork Yord manuscript also emphasizes the need to practice other virtues in addition to Gharāvāsadhamma to have a happy family life. These other virtues include  the Five Precepts, the Three Tanha, the four Cakka, the Four Iddhipada, the Four Sangahavatthu, the Samajividhamma, the Kulaciratthitidhamma, the Ditthadhammikattha samvattanikadhamma, the Six Apayamukha, etc. Living a righteous life in the worldly domain can lead to attainment of the super-mundane mental state since in the conclusion of Paed Leaeng Ork Yord, Duggata was reborn as the Buddha.  

               All in all, the Lanna palm-leaf manuscript Paed Leaeng Ork Yord was composed in a simple, understandable language. It also reflected the Lanna society in those days. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the most valuable examples of Lanna literature. We should extol the “local wisdom” of this Lanna manuscript and propagate its good teachings. These help strengthen the household life and community welfare through all time.