Buddhist Concepts in Modern Thai Literature

Abstract

Poets and writers of any culture act as mediators. They have a message to convey, and often use ways and means, or rather techniques, by which they can be understood by their readers. It is known, for example, that the Indian poets presented complicated philosophical aspects of their religious beliefs through their epics, which were either recited or performed before rapt audiences. Literature is indeed the receptacle for a nation’s beliefs, ethics and values.

There are various ways in which Thai writers deal with Buddhism. Through the reading of Thai literature we can thus learn much about Buddhism from a Thai perspective, not as presented by scholars or monks, but at the popular level.