Glory and Decline in Nirat Phu Khao Thong: Reflections on the Eight Worldly Conditions (Lokadhamma 8) in the Life and Works of Sunthorn Phu

Abstract

This study aims to examine the manifestation of Buddhist teachings, particularly the “Eight Worldly Conditions” (Lokadhamma 8), in the literary work Nirat Phu Khao Thong, in conjunction with the biography of Sunthorn Phu. The text reflects both the existential conditions and the inner world of Thailand’s preeminent poet during a significant transitional period of his life. The research employs content analysis based on the 1967 critical edition of Nirat Phu Khao Thong published by the Fine Arts Department, together with relevant secondary sources. The findings reveal that the Eight Worldly Conditions appear prominently in the text and correspond closely to Sunthorn Phu’s real-life experiences. (1) Gain and loss are reflected in his service as a royal scribe under King Rama II and the decline of his status after the king’s passing. (2) Honor and dishonor emerge from his appointment as Khun Sunthorn Woharn and his subsequent fall from the position of court poet to that of a commoner in the following reign. (3) Praise and blame are conveyed through the esteem he received from the monarch and the court, contrasted with the criticism he faced after ordaining as a monk while continuing to compose poetry. (4) Happiness and suffering are illustrated through his joy in royal favor and his sorrow over the loss of patronage and personal separation.

Nirat Phu Khao Thong is not merely a travelogue but also a profound reflection of Buddhist truths, especially the Eight Worldly Conditions, which Sunthorn Phu expressed through his lived experiences. The study suggests that Sunthorn Phu did not treat these conditions merely as personal sentiments but as a deliberate means of communicating Buddhist teachings, encouraging readers to recognize impermanence and cultivate equanimity amid life’s changes. Consequently, this work enriches understanding of both literary aesthetics and moral philosophy, affirming the enduring value of Nirat Phu Khao Thong as a masterpiece of Thai literature.