An Analytical Study of Sotabbamālinī Scripture

Abstract

The dissertation entitled “An Analytical Study of Sotabbamālinī Scripture” consists of 3 objectives as: 1) to study the historical background and development of the Sotabbamālinī scripture, 2) to transliterate the Sotabbamālinī scripture of Wat Sung Men’s manuscript, Sung Men District, Phrae Province from the original manuscript to Pali in Thai script and translate it into Thai language and 3) to analyze the Sotabbamālinī scripture of Wat Sung Men’s manuscript, Sung Men District, Phrae Province.

The result showed that the Sotabbamālinī scripture of Wat Sung Men’s manuscript was a palm leaf manuscript that belongs to Vat Visounnarath, LuangPrabang Lao PDR. In the year of 2379 B.E. (1836 A.D.), the scripture was reproduced by Venerable KrubaKanjanaArayawasiMahathera of Wat Sung Men. The principle of transliteration in the research consists of 3 aspects as: 1) to transliterate from the original manuscript, 2) based on the accent of reading and 3) able interpret in Thai language. The inspection of manuscript was conducted by comparing with the edition of Khmer script in order to translate the contents that useful in the study of Buddhism and beneficial lifestyle.

The Sotabbamālinī scripturewas composed for introducing the right method of listening to sermons. All the contents were presented on the respect of listening to the Saddhamma: true doctrine. Whether one is a preacher if persons listen with respect and practice, they would achieve wisdom and able to eradicate all sufferings. Moreover, it also reflected that the achievement of the absolute truth, not only emphasizes on the preacher or essential teachings, but also the listener must faith in the Triple Gem.

The composition of the Sotabbamālinī scripture is appeared in prose and focused on the clarity and conciseness of language and easy to understand. The scripture was presented in the order of the composition viz.  Uddesa: proposition, Niddesa:description and Patiniddesa:coming back upon a subject. The composer has gathered the data from the Buddhist texts such as Tipitaka, Commentaries and the Sri Lankan folk tales. When the Sotabbamālinī scripture is analyzed by the Desanāhāra in Nettipakarana;in the aspect of pros and cons in listening to the Dhamma, it was found that the respectful of Dhamma listening will lead to happiness and wisdom or even get rid of suffering. In contradiction, the irreverent of Dhammal is tening will cause suffering to oneself and others. However, the scripture has pointed out problems in several ways. It’s depending on the intrinsic of each individual, but all are begun by respectful and faithful of listening to Dhamma in order to achieve the deliverance or at least some fruition.  As the Buddha said ‘Elephants can lift themselves up from the mud holes; person shall exalt himself of passion’.