THE INFLUENCE OF BUDDHISM IN KHMER CLASSICAL LITERATURE : REMKER

Abstract

Remker volumers 1-10 (pronounced Riemkee) or Ramayana Khmer version, edited by Bouddhique Phnompenh Institue, was the earliest Khmer Literature dating from the 21st – 23rd Centuries B.E. Although the Khmer Mediaeval Period was primarily dominated by The Theravadic Sect, Remker adaptation reflected the influence of both the Theravadic and Mahayana Sects. The latter being the first one deeply rooted in Khmer Culture. Believe in Bodhisattva of both the Theravadic and Mahayana Sects led to the adaptation of the story of Ram in Khmer society. Moreover , the mighty Bodhisattva of the Mahayana Sect was also the prototype of certain characters in the story