Abstract

      The objectives of this research were1) to study the historical background of Phradhatnadun Pagoda, 2) to study the principle of worship in Theravada Buddhist literature, and 3) to study the result of ritual performance toward Phradhatnadun Pagoda according to the principle of worship. The research was conducted based on Qualitative Research methodology and field  work study.

      The results of study were as follows : the people who live in the area of Nadun District believed in the power of the Buddha’s relic (dhatu) and they believed that abiding with three bases of meritorious action (puññakiriyâ-vatthu) could purify one to be a good man. Moreover, by performing wholesome rituals such as sacrifice (Buang-Saung), formal apology (Khor-Khama), bathing  the Buddha (Song-Nam), lighting the candle around the pagoda (Vient-Tien), meditation retreat, and changing the covered cloth of the pagoda…etc would bright prosperity to those who perform the ritual including participants and this believe in fact lead to the beginning of worshiping Phradhatnadun Pagoda ceremony on the middle of the lunar month, March. More importantly, in the part of cultural perseverance, this ceremony became distinguish identity of people who live in the area of Nadun District, Mahasarakham province.  

                  There are two types of worship: 1. Âmisa-pûjâ, worship or honouring with material things; 2. Patipatti-pûjâ, worship or honouring with practice or accordingly follow the teaching of the Buddha such as wholeheartedly observed the five precepts, the eighht precepls the practice of mental cultivation. However, the second type of worship was recommended as first place because it brought great advantage not only to the practitioners but also to the whole society.

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