A STUDY OF THE TEMPLE’S ROLE IN CONTINUING SONGKRAN FESTIVAL: A CASE STUDY OF THE TEMPLE IN LAMPLAIMAS DISTRICT, BURIRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research are 1) to study historical background of Songkran Festival 2) to study temple role in inheriting Songkran Festival in Lamplaimat District 3) to analyze temple role in inheriting Songkran Festival in Lamplaimat District. The findings of research are as follows;

               Songkran festival is the ancient custom of Thai society and has been inherited up to the present time. It falls on 13 April of every year. When the festival comes, there would be various activities i.e. food offering to monks, dedication merit to the dead relatives, pouring water over monks’ hands asking for blessing, a construction of sand pagoda, pouring water over the elders’ hands asking for blessing, and other various plays throughout the country. In fact, Songkran was not only the New Year celebration for Thailand, but also for the Buddhist South-east Asian Nations like Lao, Myanmar, and Cambodia; including xishuangbanna in China. Those countries also celebrated Songkran festival which was recognized as their Typical New Year. The belief was derived from Hinduism which was spread to Suvarnabhumi land.

               Lamplaimat district is located in Buriram province, thirty Kilometers far away from the city. People in the district are agricultures, speak Thai, Laotian, Thai Korat accent, and Khmer languages. The Sangha Order of Lamplaimat district has played significant role in preserving Songkran festival. When the festival comes, each temple in the district has let the people to celebrate Songkran festival by doing various activities such as pouring water over monks’ hands asking for blessing, a construction of sand pagoda, making merit by offering food to monks, dedication merit to the dead relatives, etc. Some temples also organizes the Forest Robe presentation ceremony.

               From the analysis on inheriting Songkran festival by temples in Lamplaimat district, it was found that Songkran Festival consists of inheritance the conservation, such as organizing activities such as making children in day, the monks Music sand pagoda or know their local activities in each village. Such as rubber has a reclining sub host etc. inheritance in succession. Have knowledge about old Buddhist Songkran Festival. The arrangement of the day so that future generations to tradition forever.The influence of the Songkran Festival on beliefs of Buddhists, such as beliefs about the zodiac. Believe in virtue philanthropy, release the animals. Filial piety towards benefactor, etc. these beliefs still exist in the Songkran Festival.