An Intercessory Prayer of Sukhothai People in Worldview of Perfection Case Study: Sukhothai Inscriptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the worldview of the perfection of Sukhothai people through intercessory prayer that was found in 24 Sukhothai inscriptions. The results show that the intercessory prayer in the inscription is a record of 3 worldviews according to Buddhist principles, which are divided as follows 1) human prosperity desire are as follows: born to be a male, having a beautiful appearance and excellent personal qualities, wealthy, born in the ruling class, intelligence and healthy. 2) heavenly prosperity desire are as follows: ascension, having a supernatural power as Indra, recalling a former existence, and having superhuman abilities 3) nirvana prosperity desire are as follows: having a height of liberality as Vessantara, born in a religion of Mettaya, successfully attaining nirvana and enlightenment as a Buddha. The intercessory prayer shows the frustration and supreme desire of Sukhothai women in their dissatisfaction with their own gender, which is an obstacle to accessing the dharma in Buddhism, and in their dissatisfaction with the status of middle-class women and intercessory prayer that shows supreme desire of what will going to be in next life. This concept was not found among aristocratic women because the Sukhothai state allowed aristocratic women to have the power to rule the country like men.