The Creation of Thai Music "Phleng Tab Buddha Jayamangala Gatha”

Abstract

This research aims to study, analyze, and synthesize the Phleng Tab Buddha Jayamangala Gatha to create a musical suite entitled Phleng Tab Buddha Jayamangala Gatha, employing a qualitative research methodology that involves document analysis and interviews with experts in Buddhism and Thai musicology. The outcomes are presented as a creative work in Thai classical music, performed by a Mahori ensemble following the traditional framework of Thai music, with descriptive analysis applied to explain the content and compositional structure.

The findings revealed that the Buddha Jayamangala Gatha, which is also called Phuttha Atthajayamongkhon Gatha or Pahung Maha Gatha, is a Buddhist chant that tells the story of the eight victories of the Buddha and his enlightened followers over important challenges like Mara, giants, an elephant, bandits, a woman, non-Buddhist ascetics, a naga, and Brahma. The chant concludes with a blessing verse, making a total of nine verses. This chant is widely recited in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies for spiritual protection and success. The musical suite Buddha Jayamangala Gatha is composed in the format of a narrative “tab” suite, performed and sung by a Mahori ensemble. The lyrics are written in two traditional poetic forms: Khlong Si Suphap (Thai quatrain) and Klon Paet (Thai octameter poem). The suite consists of three sections: the first praises the virtues of the Buddha; the second, consisting of eight songs, recounts the victories; and the third concludes with the spiritual merits of the chant. The melody draws on traditional Kred songs in both double and single tempos, Use the following principles: arranging and selecting the melodies, consonants it also rigorously maintains the meaning of Pleang Ton Rag, combined with the composer’s imagination. The tonal framework primarily employs Phieng-o lang, with the secondary use of Phieng-o bon and Chawa tonal groups, while the rhythmic structure throughout the suite utilizes the Nathap Prob Kai rhythm.