An Analytical Study of Unhassavijai Suttra in Lanna

Abstract

The purposes of the research were to 1) study about the background and importance of the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra 2) to study about Dhamma contents appeared in the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra and 3) to study about the influence of the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra in the Lanna kingdom. This research was both documentary research and gualtative research whose its data had been searched through a wide range of documents and the interview.

Concerning the result of the research: It was found that the application of the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra in chanting of the Sueb-chata (the life-lengthening) ritual was the customary practice of the Lanna’s people which had been performed and handed on since the ancient time. This practice comprised of the religious rituals which included virtuous ritual, benefit-making ritual and donating ritual and its concept could be based on the Ayuvattanagumara tale. The Unnatsavichaiya Sutra has a long history and appeared as evidence in the palm-leaf manuscripts which has written with the Lanna alphabets. The Sueb-chata (the life-lengthening) ritual is usually performed in many occasions such as on the birthday on the new house celeliration on the job promotion ,etc. This ritual could be interpreted that it was done to extend or lengthen one’s life pertaining to his or her health. People who were provided this ritual would have a stronger spirit and encouragement and had cherished faith in Buddhism.

As for the Dhamma contents appeared in the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra, they were 1) the precept of truth, containing the belief of Karma, the rule of Karma, the persevered practice and Nirvana 2) the precept of ethics, containing the cherishing of Silas, purposes of Silas, benefits of cherishing Silas, ten Kusala-kamapatha and ten Akusala-kamapatha, listening the Dhamma preached by the Buddha in the timely manner (good person), the benefit of listening the Dhamma preached by the Buddha in the timely manner, sharing loving kindness and the benefit of loving kindness. 

Regarding the influence of the Unnatsavichaiya Sutra in Lanna society, it had the influence upon belief of the Lanna’s people namely 1) belief about power of the Triple Gems (Phrarattanatrai) 2) belief about lengthening of one’s life 3) belief about happiness of life and 4) belief about the harmony.