The reflections of society and culture on Mahavessantara Jataka in Khmer Version

Abstract

© Medwell Journals, 2018. Research study on the reflections of society and culture on Mahavessantara Jataka in Khmer Version aims to analyze the reflections of society and culture on Mahavessantara Jataka in Khmer Version. This is a study using qualitative research process. Copies of the translated version are chosen to study as well as related documents and interviews with a group of key informants. Research tools include data record and structured interview. Data collection and analysis are based on structural functionalism theory and functionalism theory. Presentation is based on a descriptive analysis approach. The study found that there are 4 aspects for the reflections of society, generalized reciprocity in the relationship between the King and the Royal family with a status as wife, negative reciprocity in the relationship between the King and the nobles, negative reciprocity in the relationship between the King and the poor and mental reciprocity in the relationship between the people and the King, i.e., the King in the status of contributor is considered the highest social status. At the same time, the duties of the recipients are classified into 2 categories, the recipients are directly related to the Royal Court and the recipients are indirectly related to the Royal Court. In addition, there are 38 reflections of culture that can be classified into 7 categories including the King, the Royal Court, religion, economy, cambodian characteristics, women and nature each of which has different functions but promotes each other. The most visible reflections of culture is the reflections on the characteristics of the Cambodian people, followed by reflections on religion while the reflections on the King and the Royal Court share the same number of reflections.