ABSTRACT

                        The objectives of this thesis were: 1) to study the description of dream as depicted in the Theravada Buddhist literature, 2) to study the belief in dream of the people in Dongswang Village, Huaypho sub-district, Mueng district, Kalasin province, and 3) to do analytical study of dream that have effected to the people in Dongswang Village, Huaypho sub-district, Mueng district, Kalasin province. The target population in this study was collected by mean of Purposive Sampling: 5 of the old people in Dongswang Village whose age was 51 up, 5 Dongsawang Villagers age between 25-50, and 5 Dongsawang Villagers age between 15-25, or 15 in total. However, this thesis was conducted based on qualitative research methodology, analyzed collecting data from questionnaire, and analysis approach.        

                        The result of the study found that

1)           Dream, according to the Theravada literature, was the story that appeared during

fall slept; it could be wholesome, unwholesome, or neither of both. The reasons that let’s dream occur were: 1) abnormal function of psychological units, 2) used to involved with that event, 3) the sight of divine beings, 4) prognostication . Furthermore, dream occurred to the four kinds ordinary people (Puthujana) and three for noble individuals (Ariya-puggala). The four kinds of Puthujana were: 1) Dukatipuggala (hungry ghost, animal), 2) Sukatiahutukapuggala (human being and divine beings), 3) Tavihetukapuggala (the beings who don’t have three unwholesome roots in the time of fertilization but lack of wisdom), and 4) Tihetukapuggala (the beings who don’t have three unwholesome roots in the time of fertilization and have wisdom). The three kinds of the Ariya-puggala were: 1) Sotapanna (stream-enterer), 2) Sakadagami (once-returner), and 3) Anagami (none – returner).   

                    2) Nevertheless, the people in Dongswang Village, Huaypho sub-district, 

Mueng district, Kalasin province found that dream was very important. It could predict the future, prognostication, even though it was beyond any proof or academic approach. This study also found that the people in Dongswang Village pointed out the methods to correct the bad dream into somewhat positive and wholesome. That method was to chant the Buddhist chanting.

                    3) Last but not least, this study found that dream played great influence over the people in Dongswang Village, Huaypho sub-district, Mueng district, Kalasin province. They believed that dream had influence over the living, especially to the change of lives. The reasons for this might link to the local belief and traditional practices of the people in Dongswang Village. Consequently, dream would play much influence over each individual; however, depending on how he or she believed.