Abstract:
Triphum Pra Ruang was composed in the Sukhothai Kingdom by Phraya Lithai ,one
of the Sukhothai kings. It was regarded as the very first thesis of Siam with a clear objective
and reference as can be seen in the table of contents. Triphum Pra Ruang also contains the
metaphysical thought and the principles of living of people from all walks of life, so it was
regarded as an important literature in Thai society.
This research has the objective to present and analyze the details of the moral
teachings compared with the Buddhist teachings and to study the attitudes of religious and
literature scholars through the undergraduate students toward the Buddhist morality in the
Triphum Pra Ruang.
The findings show that there are a lot of Buddhist moral principles in the Triphum Pra
Ruang, such as the principle of morality, gratitude, responsibility and so on. It also contains
the principle of togetherness in society and political thinking. So it can be said that Triphum
Pra Ruang presents a systematic way of practice which benefits the lifestyle of Thai people. It
is also believed to be the way to preserve the Buddhist teachings.
Additionally, The Triphum Pra Ruang also presents the metaphysical thought which
is the principle of two kinds of truth: rupa (matter) and nama (mentality).They are the
principles of Abhidhamma teachings, known as the ultimate truth. There are four of them,
namely mind, mind-object, matter, and nibbana, emphasizing the Law of Kamma and the
basis of that kamma which is called "Triphum." It describes the woeful state of apayabhumi
(state of misery) and describes the desirable place of heaven. It also signifies the actions which
are the causes that lead beings to be born in those planets according to their Kamma. It also
offers the final goal of human life. Therefore, the contents can be summarized under two
topics:
1. The domestic way emphasizes teaching human beings to perform good deeds
with the following objectives:
1.1 Good deeds produce their result in the present life .
1.2 Good deeds bring beings to be born in the good planet such as fulfilling
wishes for being born in a heaven where there is divine wealth or fulfilling wishes
to be born in the time of Sriariyametteyya (the next Buddha) and so on.
2. The religious way aims at freedom from all suffering. This refers to the
attainment of nibbana, which is regarded as the ultimate ideal in Buddhism.
It can be seen that The Triphum Pra Ruang has presented the Buddhist principle of
morality containing the principles of living people from all walks of life, especially the Law of
Kamma which is action consistent with the way of life, culture, and customs of Thai people.