A sustainability of Jãtaka wisdom through the regional cultural ways of Buddhist people in Roi Et province

Abstract

     In this research, an attempt was purposely made to study three objectives: 1) to study the Jãtaka wisdom in Buddhist scriptures  2) to study the sustainability of Jãtaka wisdom through the regional cultural ways of Buddhist people in Roi Et province, and 3) to study the methods to apply the sustainability of Jãtaka wisdom through the regional cultural ways into Thai society. This is a qualitative research done by studying documentaries, related research works and interview. The contents analysis was contextually done and then the descriptive analysis was made respectively. The research findings were found that:

     As far as the Jãtaka wisdom is concerned, it basically refers to the stories of Bodhisattva’s cultivation of his perfections before getting enlightenment as the Buddha; it was principally descended from Buddhist scriptures since the periods of Sukhothai and Rattanakosindra where it was somehow internalized by Thai people ways of life in terms of the culture and tradition resulting in empowering people’s mind, creating beautiful objects, harmonizing people with loving kindness and compassion, giving rise to the national heritage of Buddhist art, integrating Thainess through peacefulness and generosity, cultivating a great deal of virtue, and maintaining and stabilizing Bodhisattva’s path.

     In Roi Et province, the sustainability of Jãtaka wisdom obviously made by Buddhist people through the cultural ways from one generation to another generation specially the Jãtaka wisdom in Vessantara; it has been being observed through the ceremony of Bun Pha Wet which becomes the famous tradition of the province. In addition, it has been being conserved by means of mural painting, sculpture, stucco and poetry where people’s mindset and habit are morally shaped to provide a hefty of support, generosity, loving kindness and harmony.

      Various methods to apply Jãtaka wisdom through the regional cultural ways into Thai society were considerably found, but here eight types of guideline for the application were proposed as follows: 1) the wisdom on generosity should be applied into the social aid and various traditional activities and festivals where harmonizing people among a community can be made for the multicultural society, 2) the wisdom on the respect for elderly in a society should be applied, 3) the Jãtaka wisdom on Madsi’s honesty towards a husband should be applied into the institution of a family, 4) the wisdom on the gratitude should be applied where the essence gained from Sutana Jãtaka whose taking a proper care of parents in senility was regarded as the model of gratitude is clearly shown, 5) the Jãtaka wisdom on education should be applied through the application of many teachings in various stories into learning and teaching  whereby children are disciplinarily, humbly and obediently trained while studying.