Abstract

                        The objectives of this research were to study the history of Hodsong tradition in the Northeast, to study people’s beliefs in the Hodsong tradition at Pasang sub-district, Chaturapakphiman district Roi-et province, and to analyze the benefits and value of Hodsong tradition for people at the Pasang sub-district. It was qualitative research with collecting all details from the field work study and the interview in order to complete analytically the thesis.

                        The result of this study was found that the Hodsong tradition was to pour water on the hands of a monk and a novice (Therapisek) when they were appointed in the higher monk rank. This was to take them into great admiration. In the Northern I-san, the central I-san, and the Southern I-san, the party of cerebration was arranged the same time, purposes and monk-personnel. The difference was in the social context such as difference of utensils practical methods in ceremonies and rituals.

                        People’s beliefs in the Hodsong tradition at Pasang sub–district were to admire and honor the monks and novices. This tradition was done by the faithful people. The Buddhist monks and novices who were chosen to be in the ceremony were able to keep the public faith. These monks and novices were invited with flowers, candles and joss stick in a tray with a pedestal. After they accepts the respecting things, there was the establishment of the Hodsong equipments setting, basically called “Konghod” equal to the invited monks and novices. The necessary equipments were the eight religious things for a monk, the other necessary things, many different candles and Bai-si. The place of this traditional performance was consisted of the established tower, a gutter, a stony seat, and a jar of perfume. After collecting those things, there was the procession of celebration. The ritual performance was done with pouring the incense water into the invited monk’s head. During the ceremonial performance, there was the Jayamangala-gātha chanting and beating the bell. Then, all people came to the meritorious hall to give the monks proper things, and the Hodsong traditional things. Here, the monks were given a different name according to the time of performing the Hodsong ceremony such as Yāsā, and Yāgu in an order.

                        A result of the analysis of people’s benefits and values about making Hodsong tradition at Pasang sub-district was found in many aspects. This traditional belief was promoted and derived from the past to the present. The Nāga wood-made gutter for pouring the incest water on the monk’s hand was a symbol of peace and happiness. It was  valuable to promote Buddhism because. Labngoen-Labkham was used to write the Hodsong-performed monk’s name in the place of worshipping with valuable materials. The stony seat in the ritual performance was a symbol of strong stability in Buddhist principles. A cane was used to introduce a monk to the right way. To beat a gong loudly showed that the monk would be well-known. The incense water poured on a hand was used to clean a body before the monk dressed new robes. This tradition had great benefits to make Buddhism alive and monks happy in propagating Buddhism. Moreover, it had contributed a lot to the wider spread of Buddhism and it kept the ancestor’s good tradition from generation to generation. Generally, it had great value on societies and peoples’ mind at the Pasang sub-district because it was available to make the appointed monks full of faith and admiration made by people.