Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County

located in southwestern Yunnan and administratively part of Pu'er Prefecture

is primarily inhabited by the Han

Dai

and Yi ethnic groups. Dai's migration history traces back to the 13

th

century when A Zhibu and his followers from Moeng Mao introduced the Lik script and Theravada Buddhism to Jinggu. Over time

the Tham script was widely used in religious contexts. Wat Moeng Bò

built in 1644 by the Jinggu ruler (

caofa

in Dai) Dao Hanchen

served as a Theravada Buddhist monastery for the royal family. Although destroyed during the Cultural Revolution

local communities later reconstructed it with government support

with major reconstructions completed in 2000 and 2013. Preserving original elements

such as the pedestal and reliefs of the twin pagodas

reflects a commitment to maintaining its historical integrity. Architecturally

the main hall (vihāra) and ordination hall (ubosot) of Wat Moeng Bò

1

1

show strong Burmese influences

while the pagoda structures align with the Dai Yuan style of Lan Na. Murals inside the main hall

written in Lik script

narrate local Buddhist stories. Geographically situated between Dehong and Sipsòng Panna

Jinggu has absorbed diverse influences

making its Theravada Buddhist culture of particular scholarly interest. Wat Moeng Bò exemplifies this cultural synthesis and remains a key religious site for the local Dai community. This paper analyses the historical and archit

ectural significance of Wat Moeng Bò

drawing from Chinese classical records and local Lik script documents

to explore the broader religious and cultural development of the Dai people in Jinggu.