Abstract

                  There are three objectives for this thesis: (1) to study rice production and consumption process according to the rice culture; (2) to study Buddhist morals that are related to the rice production and consumption process according to the rice culture; and (3) to integrate the Buddhist morals to the rice production and consumption process according to the rice culture. This research uses documentary and qualitative methods. The matter of the research was studied, analyzed, and composed into descriptive phrases.

                  As the result of the studies, the researcher found that rice culture in Buddhism and in Thai society is related to Buddhist lifestyle in Thai society since the ancient time.  Rice cultivation is essential as it is a path to sustain life until the present days.  Rice is the most important food for Thai people.  It is the tread that is holding people together and unite them in the society.  As for that reason, there are various rice-related rituals since Thai people believe that they owe to the rice and that the rice has soul.  Therefore, these rice-related rituals often are a mixture of religion beliefs and ancient beliefs from their ancestors, resulting in having both Buddhist rituals and rice-related rituals in rice cultivation in Buddhist society.  The production process is constructed in consideration of nature and good fortune; and therefore, there are the rice-related rituals.  Once the farmers harvest the rice, the produce, they will share that rice among their peers to build support within the society.  The Buddhist morals that are related to the production process are the Four Paths of Accomplishment (), to have diligence and patience, and to see benefits according to the Temporal Welfare (), helping each other in rice cultivation.  As for the rice consumption process, the related Buddhist moral is the giving () according the Four Paths of Accomplishment ().

                  The rice culture and the rice-related rituals are different for each region of Thailand, depending on the beliefs and the suitability of the livings.  However, there is one thing in common that is the objective to bring good fortune to themselves and their families as well as transfer the merits to their deceased relatives.  As for the rice-related ritual in the form of rice cultivation, Buddhist in Thai society in every region has the same objective which is to inform the guardian spirit of the land and to worship Phosop, the Goddess of Grains, for the fertile crops and safety from any harm until the harvest; in another word, to have good produces.  Due to economic and social changes in modern days, the original lifestyle has been applied with the current lifestyle, resulting in a brand new hybrid lifestyle which promotes self-reliance within the farmer community.  The Royal Rice Bank Project, the farmer school, and the organic farming are being implemented to enable farmers to farm happily: assure them about their produces, a well distribution, as well as promote safety for their lives.  It is the rice cultivation for life.  It is the new alternative for the farmers.

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