Pubbapetabali in Lanna Palm Leaf Scripture of Wat Luangrajsanthan in Phayao Province

Abstract

          This article is to study the Pubbapetabali story in Tipitaka, the Pubbapetabali merit in Lanna palm leaf scripture of Wat Luangrajsanthan, and to analyze the Pubbapetabali merit of Wat Luangrajsanthan that effects to Lanna society. This is a documentary research which collects data from primary and secondary sources then analyze data to answer the objectives.

          Findings indicated that the principle of Pubbapetabali in the Tipitaka is firstly initiated by King Bimbisāra, who transfers the merit to his ancestors in hungry ghost realm. It is one of making merit methods according to five Balīkammas. From the Lanna palm leaf Pubbapetabali scripture, Wat Luangrajsanthan version, finding shows that plot as in Pubbapetabalī scripture is from the same event when Bimbisāra started Pubbapetabalīkamma as the first example. The Dhamma in the scripture is concerned with precepts, beliefs of goodness and badness, generosity, gratitude, noble property, faith, Bhavana, and be careful of unawareness. In addition, the analysis of principle of Pubbapetabali merit of Wat Luangrajsanthan that affects to Lanna society has two aspects: social and traditional. The social aspect is the tool to control society by presenting the planes of loss and woe (Apāyabhumī) to people, to support people growing in a stable society, to create family in harmony, and to make peace in society. The traditional aspect is to be practical way of people, to support monks, and promote Buddhism properly.