Learning and Cultivating Culture through Religious Ceremonies at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Pho Man Khunaram, Bangkok

Abstract

This article aims to conduct a comparative analysis of learning processes and cultural transmission through religious rituals at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Pho Man Khunaram in Bangkok. The study examines major ritual activities and festivals, including the Ting Krajad charity ritual, the Vegetarian Festival, the Chinese New Year Festival, the birthdays or enlightenment days of deities, and the Gong Tek funeral ritual. The analysis is based on historical documents, ritual texts, and direct observation of ritual practices conducted within the temples. The findings reveal that 1) Ting Krajad charity ritual functions as a learning process that cultivates values of compassion, generosity, and social responsibility through participation in ritual practices rooted in Chinese religious beliefs within the Thai social context; 2) the Vegetarian Festival serves to transmit a culture of self-discipline in body, speech, and mind, as well as self-control, through religious observances and everyday practices, thereby promoting ethical learning and the formation of Chinese cultural identity; 3) the Chinese New Year Festival acts as a medium for instilling values of filial piety, family cohesion, and the continuity of Chinese cultural traditions through religious rituals and communal activities; 4) the festivals celebrating the birthdays or enlightenment days of deities constitute a process of transmitting belief systems and moral exemplars through rituals that connect faith with ethical learning and spiritual development; and 5) the Gong Tek funeral ritual represents a learning process that conveys values of filial piety, respect for ancestors, and Chinese cultural identity through religious practices that integrate belief, morality, and family relationships within the Thai social context. Religious rituals function as a crucial mechanism for transmitting values, beliefs, and social behaviors to younger generations through multiple modes of learning, including direct instruction, observational learning, symbolic learning, and learning through practice. These rituals not only enable participants to gain an understanding of the roles and significance of deities and ancestors, but also continuously foster awareness of filial piety, compassion, and social responsibility. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that religious rituals serve as an essential instrument for strengthening and sustaining the cultural continuity and resilience of the community.