Gong 14

 

Wd. M. Rudrakul

Gong is northeastern Thailand word, it comes from Glong which it appears in Tibetan-Myanmer language family (Klung Klong Kyong), Khom ancient language (Ghlong or Glong) and Tai-Lao language family (Glong or Gong), their meaning is waterways, passage, path, route and way such as Dham Nong Glong Dham then its sound change is Gun-long (Path) or Gun Long Dham (Dhamma path). Other Thoi Hlang Khau Glong which meaning is “ Going back to a later era when there was no development” etc. (Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Cultural Office, 2022, online and Royal Academy, 2011, online)

Therefore Gong 14, its meaning is the 14 Dhamma path of Tai people by the Arts and Culture Center Khon Kaen University (n.d., online) has summarized Kong 14 in 4 ways, but only Kong 14 with the first meaning can be compared according to various Thai principles and literature, there are:

1. Hit Chau Gong Khun is moralities for kings or city rulers vassal noble, this related literatures such as Dhotsarot Son Ram (Dasharatha teaches Sri Rama), Dhotsa phidh Ratcha Dham (DashabhidhaRajaDharma).

2. Hit Chau Gong Phea is moralities for senior lords to rule over their slaves, this related literatures such as Phaalee Son Nong (Bali monkey king teaches younger brother) Dhamma bhibaal (Dharma Bhibala).

3. Hit Phai Gong Naay is moralities for the people to behave according to the country's system and their duties towards their masters, this related literatures such as Thukkhata Son Pud (Duggata teaches Putra-son), Kot Hmaay Traa Saam Duang (Tra Saam Duang Law) and Kot Hmaay Meng Rai (Meng Raay King’s Law).

4. Hit Baan Gong Mueang is moralities for people as the general customs of citizens towards the country and the public, this related literatures such as Subhaa-Shit Phra-Ruang (Phra-Ruang’s proverbs), Itshara-Yaan Phaa Shit (Ishara-Jnana’s proverbs) and 10 Disha Puja (10 Directional worships) in Buddhist idea.

5. Hit Phua Gong Mea is moralities between husband and wife, this related literatures such as Subhaa-Shit Son Hying (Teaching for women proverbs), Subhaa-Shit Son Jaay (Teaching for men proverbs), Krishanaa Son Nong (Krishna Draupati teaches younger sister).

6. Hit Pho Gong Mae is moralities for laymen to do with their children, this related literatures such as Pathom Chinda (Pathama Cinta text) and Mae Seu (text), precepts such as Brom Vihaan See (Brahma Vihara 4 - Four sublime states of mind) and 10 Disha Puja (10 Directional worships) in Buddhist idea.

7. Hit Look Gong Hlaan is moralities for children to do with parents and benefactors, this related literature such as Subhaa-Shit Son Dek (Children teaching proverbs).

8. Hit Bhai Gong Khey is moralities for daughter in law (Sabhai) to do with her husband’s parents and senior people in his family, this related literatures and precepts such as Subhaa-Shit Son Hying (Teaching for women proverbs), Krishanaa Son Nong (Krishna Draupati teaches younger sister).

9. Hit Paa Gong Lung is moralities for uncles and aunties in family to do with their children, this related a precept; Brom Vihaan See (Brahma Vihara 4- Four sublime states of mind).

10. Hit Poo Gong Yaa or Taa Gong Yaay is moralities for grandfather and grandmother to do as the holy golden tree for their children, this related a precept; Brom Vihaan See (Brahma Vihara 4- Four sublime states of mind).

11. Hit Dhau Gong Kae is moralities for all senior people to do with Junior people, this related a precept; Brom Vihaan See (Brahma Vihara 4- Four sublime states of mind).

12. Hit Pee Gong Duean is the ceremony works and various customs followed Hit Sib Song (12 Tai traditions per month), , this related literatures such as Phra Ratcha Bhi Dhee Sib Song Duean (Phra Raja Bhidhi 12 Month), Hit 12 Gong 14 in countryside.

13. Hit Hai (Rai) Gong Naa is moralities for all farmers to do ceremonies on the Tai farming traditions, it is about agriculture and astrology, this related literature such as Tam Raa Dham Naa  (Doing Rice farm text).

14. Hit Wat Gong Song is moralities for all Buddhist monks to follow Vinaya Pitaka (Buddhist Laws) and helping to maintain the temple, this related literature such as Navako Vaad (Navako Vada – The teaching words for new Buddhist monks).

But in other text, will delete Hit Phua Gong Mea title. Then put fourteenth to be:

14. Hit Sombat Gun Mueang, it follows Mueang words as people of city in Thai people idea (Ministry of Culture, 2022, online), there are:

1. Hoo Mueang (Ears of city or country), its meaning is all ambassadors they must be sweet and truth speech.

2. Taa Mueang (Eyes of city or country), its meaning is all scholars, they must have truth and good knowledges.

3. Kaen Mueang (Core of city or country), its meaning is all monks, they must be justice and moral person.

4. Cai Mueang (Heart of city or country), its meaning is king, queen, president or prime Minister, they must be a good ruler

5. Raak Mueang (Root of city or country), its meaning is astrologer, prophet, seer, they must have all astrology and astronomy knowledges.

6. Hngau Mueang (Rhizome of city or country), its meaning is senior government officers, they must do works by faithfulness.

7. Khaang Mueang (Floor joist of city or country), its meaning is chief of joint staff, warlord, military leader, they must expert in combat design.

8. Khue Mueang (Beam of city or country), its meaning is king’s men, royal scholars, ministers, they must be scholar, brave person and hero.

9. Pae Mueang (Purlin of city or country), its meaning is judge, prosecutor, governor, they must be molar person and Judge cases fairly.

10. Khet Mueang (Area of city or country), its meaning is cops or policemen, they must be the person who protects the city area and maintains the city's areas.

11. Pra Too Mueang or Phaa Mueang (Door of city or country), its meaning is soldiers, warriors, warlords, they must be a genius in using weapons.

12. Gaa Mueang (Price of city or country), its meaning is merchants, citizens, taxpayers, they must be guardians keep the city valuable and have money. Contact for sales and buy.

13. Sati Mueang (Consciousness of city or country), its meaning is medicine doctors, nurses, they must be people's Healer.

14. Megh Mueang (Cloud of city or country), its meaning is magicians, brahmins, angels, deities, they must be the guardian deity protects the city and is the principle of the city.

Holding these Gong 14 (fourteen virtues) is considered to maintain a Tai moral household. However, some local philosophers only take this Heat Sombat Gun Mueang is Gong 14 paired with Hit 12 as Hit 12 Gong 14

 

Refer

Arts and Culture Center Khon Kaen University. (n.d.). Gong 14 with reference to sequence 1 [online]. Cultural knowledge, local traditions. Retrieved on 2 May 2024. from https://cac.kku.ac.th/cac2021/information/คอง-14-โดยนัยที่-1/

Ministry of Culture. (2022). Hit 12 Gong 14 [online]. Ministry of Culture and National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Retrieved on 2 May 2024. from tapreeyakorn: http://www.m-culture.in.th/album/178141/ประเพณีฮีตสิบสอง_คองสิบสี่

Royal Academy. (2011). Glong [online]. Retrieved May 2, 2024. from http:// legacy.orst.go.th/? knowledges =คลอง-๑๕-ธันวาคม-๒๕๕๔#:~:text=คำว่า %20คลอง%20หมายถึง,หลอด%20คลองบางกอกน้อย%20คลองชลประทาน.

Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Cultural Office. (2022). Hit 12 Gong 14 [online]. Cultural knowledge, local traditions. Retrieved May 2, 2024. from https://www2.m-culture.go.th/ubonratchathani/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=1259