“Kamklonkankhudphra”: The Story About Digging Underground Hiding Buddha Images, Problems, and Solutions From Southern Local Literature Composed in 1957’S

Abstract

This article aims to study story about digging underground hiding Buddha images; the reasons that people like to dig the underground hiding Buddha images, groups of people interested in Buddha images and the behavior of digging Buddha images and study about problem in digging up the Buddha images including solutions from southern local literature title “Kamklonkankhudphra” (Buddha image digging poem) composed in 1957’s. The study found that the main reasons that people like to dig the underground hiding Buddha images, are the belief that the gods inspired, the poverty, the greed, and the interest in collecting rare items. There are different ages, different religions, different areas and groups, including villagers, nuns, novices, and monks coming for interesting. The behavior of digging Buddha images provided images of the diggers in various gestures that sometimes it’s not attractive, especially among women. There are 5 problems in digging up the Buddha images. The first is the destruction of the farmland of the owners in the area where the Buddha images are buried because the villagers, who came to dig, make the farmland to be bumpy. The second is not following with state rules. The Third is making the conflict with government officials. The fourth is quarrels and deceit each other and the fifth is forging Buddha images for sale. During this problem, the author suggests solutions for 7 problems, which are 1) to collect or worship other amulets instead underground hiding Buddha images because they are also values. 2) to respect parents better than worship underground hiding Buddha images 3) to be diligent to make a living better than hoping a shortcut rich 4) not to be careless in life 5) to respect and honor the place 6) not arguing or deceiving each other and 7) to remember the teachings of adults. The popularity of digging underground hiding Buddha images has been reproduced until now because it is tied to human passions.