Narratology in the Isan Mahachat Sung-sermon

Abstract

The sermon text can be regarded as a literary text comprising
unique thematic content, meticulously selected diction and distinct
compositional form. The core essence of the Vessantara Jataka,
known as Mahachat Sermon, and as used in thet laeh or
sung-sermon form, lies in revealing the selfless character of the
bodhisattva – the epitome of compassion, charity and self-sacrifice.
This sermon is deployed by practitioner monks as a tool for
stimulating the mind of lay devotees to listen to the story with
devotional attentiveness and then apply its moral values in day to
day life. In order to delineate the story well and render the narration
effective, practitioner monks in Northeast Thailand (Isan) have
played a major role in devising different techniques, such as the use
of various figures of speech, versification, rhythm, and last but not
the least, different narratological techniques.