Preservation and Continuation of Local Culture in Ubon Ratchathani Province : Survey and Storage of the Palm Leaf Written Scripture in the Royal Monasteries

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to study, survey, collect and categorize  the palm leaf written scriptures in the royal monasteries in Ubon Ratchathani province and to maintain and preserve the scriptures in a proper manner to make them easily accessible.                     The study found that literature as found in the palm leaf scripture preserved at Wat Si-Ubon Ratanaram consisted of  166 items. They could be categorized into five groups:  doctrine and discipline,  the Buddha’s story,  the Buddha’s previous life stories,  folk tales, sacred sanctuary and  sermons.  The scriptures found in Wat Payai numbered 213, which could be categorized into seven groups as follows:  doctrine and discipline,  Buddha’s story,  stories of the Buddha’s disciples,  Buddha’ previous life stories,  folk tales, narratives,  chronicles, miscellaneous stories and sermons. The scripture of  Wat Supattanaram was found in a great number and written in several scripts, that is, Tainoi, Aksorntham, and Khmer.  The scripture which was written in Tainoi was categorized into doctrine and discipline,  previous life tales,  handbooks on knowledge, and  sermons.  The scripture written in Aksorntham included  doctrine and discipline,  the story of Buddha’s disciples, folk tales,  sacred sanctuary, texts, and sermons.  The scripture written in Khmer included doctrine and discipline,  tales,  previous life stories,  folk tales and sermons. Have stored, conserve, and publish to public on website.

          Keyword : Title Wisdom  in the Palm Leaf  Texts, A Survey, Compilation and Preservation