ABSTRACT

            This research aimed to (1) study Kamma beliefs in Theravada Buddhism and (2) compare Kamma belief classified by sex, age, education and domicile of Buddhists in Nakhonratchasima. The research process was divided into two parts. The first part was document research analyzing the Kamma beliefs of Buddhism from Tipitaka, Attakatha (commentary), Deka (petition), Anudeka (little petition), and other related documents. The second part was survey research. Samples consisted of 300 Buddhists in Nakhonratchasima through the multiple steps random. The tools for data collection were 30 items of ratio questions. Data analysis consisted of frequency distribution, percentage, standard deviation, and t-test.

          The findings were as follows:

1. Faith means belief in Buddhism referring to the belief that contains the reason which is filtered by Buddhism wisdom. There are four types of faith in Buddhism. The first faith is Kammasutha believing that good kamma and bad kamma still remain. The second one is Wipakasutha believing the results of kamma. Those who do good will get good. In contrast, those who do bad will get bad. There is not any suspect about the results of kamma.The third one is Kammusakatasutha believing that all animals have their own kamma. Kamma can be both good and bad. The result of kamma will return to the doers. Purity or flaw happens individually. The last one is Tathakatapotisutha believing Buddha’s enlightenment. All Buddhists believe that Buddha’s enlightenment is true. Buddha’s Dhamma is truly best. Nobody creates it.

2. The overall beliefs about Kamma law of Buddhists in Amphoemuang Nakhonratchasima are in a high level (( ) = 3. 94, S.D. =. 38). According to each case, it is found that every case is in a high level starting from the most to the fewest respectively such as Kammasutha (( )= ๔ .๐๔ , S.D. = .๔๕),  Wipakasutha (( )= 3 . 98 , S.D. = . 45 ), and Kammusakatasutha (( )= 3 . 79 , S.D. = . 54 ).

3. Beliefs about Buddhism kamma law of Buddhists in Amphoemuang Nakhonratchasima classified by gender, the overall image, and each case do not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level.

 4. The overall image of  Beliefs  about kamma  law  of Buddhists in Amphoemuang Nakhonrachasima does not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level. According to each side, it is found that Kammasutha shows a statistically significant difference at .05 level. Buddhists who are less than twenty five years old believe more kamma law than those who are over twenty five years. While other sides do not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level.

5. The overall image of  beliefs about kamma  law of Buddhists  in Amphoemuang Nakhonrachasima does not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level. According to each side, it is found that Kammusakatasutha shows a statistically significant difference at .05 level. While other sides do not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level. Buddhists with lower education than primary level have higher beliefs about kamma law than those who have higher education than the primary level.

6. The overall image and each side about the kamma law beliefs of Buddhists in Amphoemuang Nakhonrachasima classified by hometown do not show a statistically significant difference at .05 level.