A Study of the Mauat Beliefs in Buddhist Ethic Khmer’s Community in Kuntrarom Sub-District, Krasung District, Buriram Province

Abstract

The purposes of the study aimed to 1) study Ma-muad rituals of Buddhists in Kantrarom sub-district, Krasang district, Buriram province, 2) study beliefs towards  Ma-muad rituals of Buddhists in Kantrarom Sub-district, Krasang District, Buriram Province,    3) analyze valuable Ma-muad rituals in views of Theravada Buddhism. The results of the studies were revealed as follows: Ma-muad rituals of Buddhists in Kantrarom sub-district, Krasang district, Buriram province are found that there are two kinds of Ma-muad; 1) Pong Ma-muad is a ritual for curing a sick person and to pay respect own spirit that was born belong to her or him. It is believed of Kui ethnic group who are living in Kantrarom Sub-district, Krasang District, Buriram Province. Spiritualism or communicating with spirit has been continuing from generation to generation whenever a member of the family got chronic illness without any reasons as treatment. 2) Beliefs towards Ma-muad rituals through views of Theravada Buddhism: it is found that Ma-muad ritual is not a part of Buddhist taught. It is the traditional belief of people who worship the spirit or ancestral spirit. When Buddhist missionaries came to Thailand, they were adopted as the national religion until the present. 3) An Analysis of the value of the Ma-muad ritual: it is found that the Ma-muad ritual is valuable to the cohabitation of the society, resulting in the desperate person suffering from indecent illness, having hoped, and moral support. In the valuable culture and tradition of aspects, it is found that to keep the tradition of singing, dancing and helping each other in the society during sickness are existed.