Dana Dhamma Tradition of the Tai Diaspora in Thailand : The Selection of the Donated Scriptures and the Role of the Tradition

Chatuporn Petchaboon

Abstract

Because of war and impoverishment, Tai ethnic groups emigrated from many towns of Xishuangbanna in China and from Burma to live at Ban Pha Taek, Tambon Wiang Phang Kham, Amphoe Mae Sai, Changwat Chiang Rai, 50 years ago. These peoples have preserved many of their traditions since then, including the D􀆗na Dhamma tradition. During fieldwork conducted in 2013-2014 at Wat Pha Taek, the main temple of the Tai ethnic groups in Mae Sai district, a number of Buddhist scriptures were found. One of the collections found in quantity was scriptures donated on the occasion of the donor’s or the donor’s relative’s serious illness and for transferring merit to the deceased. This article aims at examining and analyzing the significance of the 13 most frequently donated scriptures in terms of their content, context, and role for the donors, the Tai diaspora at Ban Pha Taek, Tambon Wiang Phang Kham, Amphoe Mae Sai, Changwat Chiang Rai, Thailand.

(Published in Rian Thai: International Journal of Thai Studies, Volume 9/2016, Page 53-70)

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