ตำนานพระเจ้าห้าพระองค์ : โครงสร้างเนื้อหาและบทบาทในสังคมไทย / อนุชา พิมศักดิ์ = Myth of the five Buddhas : structure, content and function in Thai society / Anucha Pimsak
The purpose of this thesis is to collect versions of the myth of the five Buddhas in Thai society, to study motifs, tale types and the structure of the myth of the five Buddhas, and to analyze the role of the myth in Thai society. The researcher collected 33 version from every region in Thailand. The study reveals that all these versions of the myth can be classified into 3 tale types. First, which are of 19 versions, is called the Albino Crow tale type. This tale type explains the brotherly relationship between the five Buddhas : Kakusantho, Konakhamano,Kassapa,Khotama and Sriariyamettrai ; all have the same mother who is the albino crow.Second , which are of 10 versions, is called the five Buddha tale type. This tale type explains the detail of the era of the Buddha. Third, which are of 4 versions, is called the Albino Crow-the five Buddhas tale type.This tale type is the combination of the two previous tale types. Considering the motif, it is found that the motifs in each version are different in detail because of the process of oral transmission, literary transmission and the difference in local culture. However, the structure of the versions in each tale type appears to be the same. Regarding the role of the myth of the five Buddhas in Thai society ,there are 4 main roles.Fist,the myth has the role to explain the rituals : Yeepeng, Loy Kratong, Lai Rua Fai,Tai Prateep and Tantung. Second, certain magic spells and amulets are refered to the names of the five Buddhas. Third,the belief of the five Buddhas is related to certain mural paintings,images of the Buddha and the construction the temple.And fourth,the belief in Sri Ariyamettrai,the Future Buddha, has been used and refered to throughout the Thai political history.
