ลักษณะสำคัญของพระมาไลยฉบับหอสมุดแห่งชาติกรุงปารีส

Abstract

This research aims to study the National Library of Paris version of Phra Malai, in terms of its form, language and content. The study found that the National Library of Paris version of Phra Malai is a literary work of the Ayutthaya Period. It is made up of 208 stanzas of the Kavayani 11 prosodic form (consisting of 11 syllables), 61 stanzas of Kavaya Chabang 16 (consisting of 16 syllables), 12 stanzas of Kavaya Surangkanang 28 (consisting of 28 syllables), and eight stanzas of a special prosodic form. This work is in the Thai language and was written in the Thai yor script. This book tells the story of Phra Malai, an arahat, or higher Buddhist saint, who can go to heaven and hell and bring messages to humans. However, the content of this book is not complete. When compared with Samut Malai (Fine Arts Version since 2012 A.D.), it was found that: 1) some content is the same, 2) some content is similar, 3) some content is similar but less detailed, 4) some content does not appear in Samut Malai. The National Library of Paris version of Phra Malai is of value to Thai society and culture in that it gives an example showing that the result of sin is that one will go to hell and the result of making merit is that one will go to heaven. Thus, the National Library of Paris version of Phra Malai is a work of Ayutthaya Period literature of the highest value.