Dynamics of Faith in the Periphery and the Buddhist Concept of Kingship : Conversion of Power of the Indigenous Kha People of the Mountains by the Saints of Lao in the Early Twentieth Century
Penetration of the Buddhist concept of kingship in a region is understood
to be the result of an action with irreversible force, extending from the center
to the periphery. The examination described in this paper draws on the history
of kingship in the Buddhist conception of northeastern Lao society, which
existed on the periphery of Siam during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with a perspective from the regional context of Lao mountain
society （outer edge） using historical documents. Results indicate that the
power of mythical kingship of the indigenous Kha people in these mountains
was usurped by Lao saints in a religious movement and was transformed by
them into a force of Buddhist kingship. This usurpation accompanied the
growth of a pecking order in faith among head ascetic monks, who positioned
the Buddha-dharma above and the spirits below. Consequently, they supported regional penetration of the Thammayut group, which was responsible
for Buddhist thought on Siamese kingship. It is reasonable to assume that
penetration of the Buddhist concept of kingship into the area was based on
the activity of charismatic religious leaders of the periphery, including mountainous areas. The center – periphery – outer edge framework is useful for
visualizing the dynamics and logic of a periphery that can accept the center
and which can relativize the view of central history.
周縁における信仰動態と仏教的王権観念 : 20世紀初頭，ラオの聖者による山地の先住民カーの力の転換
KH_046_1_01
(1.46MB)
