The Study of the Practice to the Buddha’s Relics of Thai Buddhists in Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

             This dissertation is of 2 objectives; 1) to study of the belief and importance of Buddha’s relict in of Buddhism of The Thai Buddhists 2) to study of the belief and performance according to the Buddha’s relict in of The Thai Buddhists in Phitsanulok province. This study is a quantitative research.

             This thesis was divided substance into follow the 2 objectives;

             objective 1 deals with meaning, history, development and kinds of the Buddha’s relics, the importance about the Buddha’s relict, the constructing of monuments for Buddha’s relics, and the belief in Buddha’s relics after Buddha’s passing away’

             objective 2 deals with the belief about Buddha’s relics of Thai Buddhists nowadays and objective 3 deals with results of studies and the analysis of  the belief and performance according to the Buddhists relict in of The Thai Buddhists in Phitsanulok province of information’s that divided into 2 objectives.

             The result of the present study was found that Phradhatu of Watsanat in watbhot distich was a pagoda contain the Buddha’s relics about 36 Buddha’s relics by Phramaha Lhailay. Later, the Thai Buddhists Peoples of Watbhot esgablished a big pagoda to cover a Dhatu. Phradhatu of Buddha’s relics was produced in Buddha Era 1232.

             The results from the analysis of a documentary research was concluded that: an attitude and belief in Buddha’s relics was highly faithful in Thai society. Moreover, it was found that Buddhists believe in the power of Buddha’s relics which was contained in Buddhist monuments and those who pay respect to these Buddha’s relics would obtain happiness and be prosperous in their lives. Most of them, therefore, lead their life in a good way. Worshiping Buddha’s relic is considered to be the worshipping of those thin that represent the Buddha Himself.

             The results from the analysis of a questionnaire can be concluded that:

             The Thai Buddhists’ belief nowadays in Buddha’s relics was based origin ancient belief of ancestors on their old continuous belief. Most of them had the knowledge and understanding of Buddha’s relics. They believed that the Buddha’s relics were the special substance that can bring about supernatural phenomena.

             Buddhists in the Thitsanulok province believed that Phradhatu Watsanat was a pagoda to contain the real Buddha’s relics. It had auspicious power, and miracle to save believers from danger and to give them the prosperity.

          The belief and performance according to the Buddha’s relict in of The Thai Buddhists in Phitsanulok province that was practiced from generation to generation was worshiping, This rite was derived from generation to generation till it became a tradition that was organized in every year. In the present time, there was a change of practice from worship to competition and ordination group every year.