Lanna Dhamma Alphabet History Related to Buddhism from Past to Present

Abstract

     Lanna Dhamma alphabet is a symbol of Lanna civilization. The alphabet is regarded as holy because it was used as a medium for writing the stories of Buddhism. The alphabet is found on stone inscriptions, palm leaf scriptures and the bases of Buddha statues in the eight upper Northern Provinces. In former times, the alphabet was widely used both in temples and by laypersons. Its forms were influenced by different languages through the spread of Buddhism into the Lanna Kingdom and reign when the Tripitaka was revised and written in Lanna Dhamma script. Later, the use of the alphabet was declined due to the state convention announcement in B.E. 2483 that prohibited Thai dialect usage. As a result, the Lanna Dhamma Alphabet has been replaced by the standard Thai language since then