A study of the value in the Worship of Pra that inghang savannakhet Province in Lao People’s Democratic Replublic

Abstract

The aims of this research were as follows: 1) to study the history of Phra That Ing Hang (Ing Hang Cetiya) in Laos PDR; 2) to study the worship ritual of Phra That Ing Hang of Laos; 3) to study the value of Phra That Ing Hang worship of people in Savannakhet province. This study was a qualitative research. The research instruments were an in-depth interview form, an observation form, and a conversational form. The main informants were 6 monks, 4 cultural department officers, 4 sub-district leaders, 5 community leaders, 7 people groups, totaling 22. The data analysis was conducted according to the research methodology and the results were then presented by the descriptive analysis.
The research results are as follows: Phra That Ing Hang was the place that the Buddha ate under the Hang tree. It is also a place to remember the Buddha, enshrined the relics (Spine) of the Buddha. It is the center of the mind and the unity of the Lao Buddhists.
The ritual of worshiping Phra That Ing Hang consists of making a notice to inform the local spirits, setting up four meritorious budgets (Kong-boon), four Kanlapaphruek trees, four Pha-wan, four coconuts, trays of ‘five and eight Khandha’, monks’ chanting and arm tie ceremony. All of these are considered as the special rituals to make a votive offering to the cetiya and they have to be performed no later than noon, according to the motto that the Buddha is the one who has practiced for the benefits and happiness of the ritual organizers and participants.
The worship of Phra That Ing Hang of Laos people showed its values in five aspects: tradition and culture, the worship is passed on to the descendants; economy, it generates income for the community; Buddhism, dhamma principles are propagated through worship; psychological aspect, Lao Buddhists are happy to make merit as same as those in the village, communities and society.