Brahmanism-Hinduism, Shaivism Sect during the Reign of King Mahentaraworaman of Jenla Kingdom in the 11th-12nd Buddhist Centuries in Roi Et Province

Abstract

           Roi Et Province is located in the middle region of Northeastern Thailand. It is a long settlement since prehistoric times. It is the cause to change and development in the history, culture, and lifestyle, especially in beliefs and religions.

           This article is to study the earliest historical era of Roi Et Province from books, records, and field trips in order to collect data and take photography during in 2014-2015, in Champasak Province, Laos and Roi Et Province, Thailand. The study is that Roi Et Province in the ancient Khmer civilization era has believed in Brahminism-Hinduism, Shaivism sect in the period of 6^th-7^th Buddhist centuries. It was the highest developed culture in the King Mahentaraworaman of Jenla Kingdom in the 11^st-12^nd Buddhist centuries. Based on the architectural evidences of religious places, antiquities, stone inscriptions of King Mahentaraworaman, and archaeological site of Don Khum Ngoen, Nong Khun Village, Den Rat Sub-district, Nong Hi District, Roi Et Province were found a relationship with the arts of Jenla Kingdom at Prasat Wat Phu, Champasak Province, Laos. It was a religious place of Brahmanism-Hinduism which was larger and much richer than the archaeological site of Don Khum Ngoen. The discovery of the inscription of King Mahentaraworaman shows that the origin of the Jenla Kingdom was established here and spread as the center of the Jenla Kingdom at Prasat Wat Phu, Champasak Province in Laos. In addition, the Brahmanism-Hinduism, Shaivism sect was the oldest religion in Roi Et Province.