PATTERNS OF USE AND THE SPIRITUAL VALUE OF SACRED WATER IN THE CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY THAI SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY OF THE USE OF SACRED WATER FROM NINE TEMPLES AROUND RATTANAKOSIN ISLAND BANGKOK

Abstract

This research article aims to study Patterns of use and The spiritual value of Sacred Water in the context of contemporary Thai society: a case study of the use Sacred water from nine temples around rattanakosin island Bangkok, using a framework based on the concept of Semiology that studies symbolic meaning (signifier). Used to study pattern of use and the spiritual value of sacred water. This is a qualitative research: 1) To study where the researcher gathered relevant data from: 1.1) Primary documents: These include the Tripitaka scriptures and translated commentaries, such as the Suttanta Pitaka (Sermon Section) of the Khuddaka Nikaya and the Dhammapada (Dharmic Verses) edition from Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya University 1.2) Secondary documents: These include research studies, articles, and books. 1.3) Online media: These include contemporary references on study the use and the spiritual value of Sacred water. 2) For Fieldwork that to study a sample population of 10 people. There are details: 2.1) Go make merit and pay homage to the Buddha at 9 temples for example: Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan, Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan, Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan, Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawiharn, Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara, Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan, Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan and Wat Bowonniwet Vihara 2.2) There is a pattern and a belief of using Sacred water. 3) There is the spiritual value of Sacred water. By using an open - ended questionnaire to allow the sample population the freedom to answer questions. The researcher collected and analyzed these data between June 2024 and January 2025, over a period of eight months. To present descriptive information for the findings of the research show that 3.1) There are patterns for using Sacred water: sipping, sprinkling, and bathing. 3.2) Viewing the spiritual value of Sacred water as something high pure Sacred things coming from sacred space. Therefore, there will be a folklore for using Sacred Water that is consistent with the view of the spiritual value “Using Sacred water over other water that will be mixed”