Bun Salaka Pat Festival and Partipant Politicul Culiture of People of Tak Fa Community, Tak Fa District, Nakhubn Sawan Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the context of Bun Salakapat festival; 2) to analyze Bun Salakapat festival in the dimension of participatory political culture; and 3) to propose guidelines for developing Bun Salakapat festival and participatory political culture of Tak Fa people in Tak Fa District, Nakhon Sawan province by integrating according to Buddhadhamma. It was a qualitative research by interviewing 25 key informants, consisting of representatives of the temple committee, representatives of government organizations, local leaders, religious leaders and community scholars. The research tool was a semi-structured interview. Content analysis and interpretation were used. The results of the research revealed that 1) the context of Bun Salakapat festival was an activity that people were involved in, such as the participation of the people, conversation or meeting, participation in the activities of the Bun Salakapat festival and continuation of Bun Salakapat festival; 2) an analysis of Bun Salakapat festival of Tak Fa District and participatory political culture with participation found that it was an expression of cooperative activities of individuals in society. These activities formed relationships among members of society and the relationship between members and partner organizations in order to enable people to participate in the review process for improvement proposals. It was considered an important factor that will result in political participation; and 3) guidelines for the development of Bun Salakapat festival  and participatory political culture by integrating according to Buddhadhamma, it was found that participation according to Aparihaniyadhamma played an important role and was the basis in the participation process, such as participation in consultation meetings, having unity in solving problems, adherence to the principles and ideology to develop Bun Salakapat festival  of Wat  Tak Fa, respecting for sages or leaders in the country, jointly preserving good political culture and the maintenance of happiness and sufficiency to remain sustainable.