Multi-Culture of Belief in Si Thep Historical Park

Abstract

This academic article focuses on studying the multi-culture of belief in Si Thep Historical Park which was an ancient significance city since prehistorical period. This period was communicative with adventive city. In addition, it was the prosperity era of Si Thep City which was spread both in Dvaravati period and the golden age of the Khmer Empire. The Si Thep City had relationship between Dvaravati culture and ancient Khmer culture. Nowadays, this city is the Si Thep Historical Park which have two ancient monuments: inside monuments and outside monuments. The inside monuments have three sites such as Khao Khlang Nai monument, Prang Si Thep monument, and Prang Song Phi Nong monument. The outside monuments have three sites such as Khao Khlang Nok monument, Prang Ruesi monument, and Khao Tamorat monument. All ancient monuments are multi-culture of belief from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and Shaivism of Brahma-Hindu. The multi-culture of belief creates a unique beauty of Si Thep City where is worthy of conservation and further study. The body of knowledge gained from this study is found that 1) the concept of religious beliefs as a moral culture which is classified into sub-types according to the principles of Buddhism and Brahmin-Hinduism. 2) The concept of ancient monuments as a material culture which consists of geographic sub-areas such as inside and outside areas which are related to beliefs in both Buddhism and Brahmin-Hinduism.