Gambhira: Cambodian Fortune-telling Literature

Abstract

Gambhira is a fortune-telling literature. It is divided into two main parts. The first principally concerns Dhammapada tales or Jataka tales. The first part begins with a phase,” …stanza, this time …” The second part begins with the phase “It is foretold that …”. The Incidents associated or characters‘s conduct from indicated tales in the first part must always be associated with prophecies in the second part.  Gambhira is used as a way to relieve miseries in Cambodian society. The collection of prophecies appearing in this literature helps fulfilling the needs for jobs, luck, court cases, health, lost object, traveling, friends and love of Cambodians. It also serves as a way of teaching social members should this be ethical values to society as well as a tool to maintain the importance of Buddhism.