An Analysis of Guidelines for Promoting Tak Tham Tradition for Conserving Palm-leaf Manuscripts of Sung Men Temple, Sung Men District, Phrae Province

วิเคราะห์แนวทางการส่งเสริมประเพณีตากธัมม์เพื่อการอนุรักษ์คัมภีร์ใบลานของวัดสูงเม่น อำเภอสูงเม่น จังหวัดแพร่

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to 1) investigate history of Tak Tham tradition, 2) explore its conservation process, and 3) analyze the guideline for promoting Tak Tham tradition to conserve palm-leaf manuscripts of Sung Men temple, Phrae province. Applying documentary research approach, the in-depth interview was conducted with 9 key informants selected by purposive sampling. The qualitative data were collected from related documents, interviews, and small-group discussion. The data were then presented by descriptive analysis.

          The Result

1. Tak Tham tradition of Sung Men temple is held annually in January, corresponding to the fourth month of Lanna lunar calendar. Revived in 2007, this tradition has been continuously observed under the title “Tak Dham, Tan Khao Mai, Hing Fai Phra Chao”. Grounded in traditional beliefs and rituals regarding the spiritual merits of creating, listening to, and offering Dhamma texts to temples, the tradition serves as a wise spiritual strategy employed by temple to guide people toward Buddhist core teachings.
2. The conservation process of Tak Tham tradition is based on the LIST Model for palm-leaf manuscript conservation: (1) cultivating the community’s desire to conserve palm-leaf manuscripts, (2) establishing an organization responsible for palm-leaf manuscript conservation, (3) executing preservation operations, (4) establishing a learning resource for educational purposes, and
   (5) disseminating and expanding knowledge of palm-leaf manuscript conservation to other temples and communities for mutual benefit.
3. The guidelines for promoting Tak Tham tradition to conserve palm-leaf manuscripts of Sung Men temple constitute a cultural and technological process initiated through “Tham” strategies. This process consists of five stages: 1. building faith, 2. organizing data systems and work processes, 3. implementing conservation practices, 4. developing into a learning resource, and 5. expanding towards sustainability. These steps lead to the dissemination and service of palm-leaf manuscript conservation, ensuring long-term preservation of Buddhist teachings for future generations to study in perpetuity.