Abstract

The thesis on titled “A Study on the Way of Life according to Heet 12,     of lao Buddhist in Pakse District, Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democracy Republic” consists of three objectives:  1) to study the way of life according Buddhism 2) to study the traditions of Heet 12 (twelvefold local customs) of Lao Buddhists, in Pakse district and 3) to study Lao Buddhists’ way of life according to Heet 12, in Pakse district, Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democracy Republic.  The  data for this thesis was searched  and  collected from related  documents  and researches, and from interviewing  target  group  then it was brought  to the  analysis and  conclusion for the result of research.

The result of research was found that:

1) For the way of life according to Buddhism of Lao Buddhists in Pakse district, they still lead their lives in the way of Buddhist doctrines with simultaneously adorable custom and culture based on the five precepts for their way of life. Therefore, it could be seen that Lao Buddhists’ way of life in Pakse district is ordinary and simple by having The Buddhist Dhamma as spiritual refuge. They occasionally perform sharing, donation, precept observation, insight development in Buddhism. 

2) For Heet 12 (the twelvefold local customs) of Lao Buddhists in Pakse district, they are mostly interested in them, have preserved, maintained and inherited them from ancient period to present time. This is regarded that Lao Buddhists in Pakse district have preserved their own local customs to hand over and to tell to new generation in the future. Pakse’s population intellectually realized the values of their traditions and culture, then they gave the priority to them and have preserved them for a long time for Lao Buddhists in Pakse district in order to be a pattern for the way of life with Buddhism forward in the future.

3)  For leading lives according Heet 12 (the twelvefold local customs) of Lao Buddhists in Pakse district, Champasak Province, they have led their lives on the way of Heet 12 (twelvefold local customs) and have completely been influenced by Buddhism. This is evaluation of custom and cultural civilization of ancient Lao people from earlier to now. Their way of life is based on belief in the law of Kamma, sin, and merit which is available in Buddhism’s Teaching. They fundamentally observe precepts, live with carefulness, make various kinds of merits; such as, donation etc.  By means of Dhamma code, e.g., ten bases of meritorious action applied for meritorious performance.

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