Mutelu: Promoting or Distorting Buddhist Beliefs in Thai Society

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the concept of “Mutelu: whether it promotes or distorts Buddhist beliefs” through the analysis of documents, books, and relevant scholarly research. The study reveals that Mutelu represents a contemporary belief trend in Thai society, associated with superstition, amulets, and ritual practices, which are frequently interwoven with Buddhism. While certain dimensions of Mutelu may reinforce religious faith and provide psychological reassurance, they simultaneously risk undermining Buddhist doctrine by prioritizing supernatural powers and miraculous phenomena over the essential cultivation of morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā). In a broader perspective, Mutelu can function as a means of religious engagement by addressing psychological and emotional needs; however, it may also generate misconceptions when employed merely as an instrument for the pursuit of fortune and material success, detached from the authentic principles of Buddhism.