Suffering in Buddhism on “Lakhon Nok” story “Sangthong” and “Kawi”

Abstract

The study reveals that “Sangthong” and “Kawi” present the Buddhist dharma of suffering, cause of suffering and the way leading to the end of suffering. They show all types of suffering such as physical suffering, mental suffering and both physical and mental suffering at the same time. The causes of the suffering are the separation from the beloved and human act. According to the doctrine of pratītyasamutpāda, man make other suffered from Avidyā, Vedanā and Upādāna which cause Vedanā, Sangskāras and Bhava. These are bad thought and act toward other. The characters that make other suffered stay in the cycle of sufferings of themselves and extend the suffering to others. In the Lakhon Nok’s play, the way to the end of suffering is to do with effort, faithfulness and forgiveness.

In summary, both “Sangthong” and “Kawi”, which were assumed the origin of Paññāsa Jātaka, present obviously the Buddhist dharma and present with the technique of f iction for the purpose of reader’s entertainment. At the same time, readers also gain the benef icial information for life. Therefore Lakhon Nok is the literature inherits of the Paññāsa Jātaka culture including technique to present Buddhist dharma and primary notion of Buddhism evidently.