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Abstract
The main purposes of this thematic paper were: (1) to study a history and beliefs in the Prang Ku Kaeo Worship Ritual, and (2) to study the faith value in the Prang Ku Kaeo Worship Ritual of Buddhists at Kukaeo District, Udonthani Province. A result of this research was found that Prang Ku Kaeo was the Khom castle in the form of Arocayasal, established in the 18th Buddhist century in the King Chey Varman-VII (B.E. 1724 – 1761). When the Khamer kingdom degenerated, Lao in the Lanchang region had great influence to occupy the I-san areas including this land. There was the establishment of three Stupas made of bricks in the Lanchang Arts, covering the ruin of the Prathan and Bannalai castle. Prang Ku Kaeo was used as a place of the Buddhist ritual for many hundred years. In B.E. 2467, the temple was given the land for the establishment and it was called ‘Wat Ku Kaeo’. Later, in B.E. 2492, Phra Bunmi Siridhara, the abbot persuaded villagers to collect hardwood to establish a meritorious house covering the ruins of two Stupas. In the present time, there was only one Stupa.
People in Kukaeo District believed in Buddhist principles: Kamma-saddhā, Vipāka-saddhā, Kammassakatā-saddhā, and Tathāgatabodhi-saddhā. They practiced Dhamma with giving, observance of morality, and practice of meditation. It was believed that the royal Pu Ku Kaeo was a holy thing within Prang Ku Kaeo to keep and bring happiness and success to people in Ku Kaeo district. There was a belief about requesting Prang Ku Kaeo to help people about birth, illness, work, swearing, and a vow (pa). When the villagers were successful in the wanted hope, they organized the Prang Ku Kaeo Worship Ritual such as the votive offering (pong) with things, money, liberation of quadruped animals like a turtle, liberation of birds and fish, and worship with a sky rocket. This worship was called ‘Āmisapūjā’. Moreover, people in Ku Kaeo district like making merit with giving, observance of morality, and practice of meditation, walking with lighted candles on important days, and continuous practice of meditation.
The meritorious ritual in the sixth month (Bun Bang Fai) in Ku Kaeo disctrict was organized in fifteen lunar days of waxing moon in the sixth month of every year. People in Ku Kaeo district, near districts and people in four directions who believed in holiness of Prang Ku Kaeo came together to make merit and fulfill the given vow (pong). It was believed that the fulfillment of the given vow (pong) by lighting the sky rocket for worship made all holy things in Prang Ku Kaeo most satisfied and highly influential in the worshiper’s mind.
The value of beliefs and the Prang Ku Kaeo Worship Ritual made by people in Ku Kaeo district, Udonthani province was very important for a way of life of people in Ku Kaeo district. Because beliefs and the rituals were done with mind full of faith in Buddhist Prang Ku Kaeo, it caused the stability of economics, politics, administration, ceremonies, and culture. Moreover, it was used as a source of education, the center of meditation instruction to cultivate consciousness in the youths, people and Buddhists who paid great respect to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha as a noble refuge for ever.
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