This study by Arthid Sheravanichkul examines the contrasting meanings of royal self-sacrifice in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. While the Simhasana Dvatrimsika celebrates King Vikramaditya’s sacrifices as ideals of worldly kingship, Thai Buddhist texts like the Pannasa Jataka present self-sacrifice as a path to spiritual perfection. The paper highlights how similar acts are framed differently across cultures—one glorifying earthly power, the other emphasizing renunciation and enlightenment.

The Thailand Foundation invites you to explore this comparative study as a window into Thai moral values. By tracing themes of merit (bun), duty (tham), and compassion (kwam hen ok hen jai), the article reveals how traditional narratives continue to shape Thai views on leadership, ethics, and the pursuit of selflessness in public and private life.

Read Full Article (PDF)

* This article was published in the Rian Thai International Journal of Thai Studies and is being shared by the Thailand Foundation with permission from the Thai Studies Center, Chulalongkorn University, all rights reserved to the owner of the material.