Abstract

             The present research has undertaken to reach the three predominant purposes: 1) to study the beliefs and ritual in worshipping Buddhist stupas as stated in Buddhist scriptures 2) to study the beliefs and ritual on worshipping Buddhist stupas in Ubonratchathani province and 3) to study the value of worshiping Buddhist stupas practiced by Buddhist in Ubonratchathani province. The qualitative research and field research have been spelt out in the study in accordance with the scrutinizing of the following materials viz. the Tipitaka-Pali Buddhist scripture, the Commentary, Books and the previous works done by various scholars along with interviewing the following predominant samples; the monks, the community's leader and other related samples chosen for the study.

             Findings of the study

             It has been found that the beliefs and ritual on Buddhist stupas worshiping in Buddhist scriptures have become the cultural norms for the worshiping of the Buddhist stupas in the past as the stupas itself has been of the representative of the Buddha. According to Buddhist custom, the stupas has been recognized as the symbol of the Buddha and being the representative of the Buddha as well. Moreover, to respect the stupas means as devoting to the Buddha, on the other hand, the impolite manner expressed to the stupas has been mentioned as expressing to the Buddha. Thus the specific ritual of worshiping Buddhist stupas has been set on in the past for devoting respectfulness to the Buddha and his disciples, for example, the offering of flowers, the offering of decorated objects, the practicing of paying homage to the Buddha and the Triple Gem with offerings and praying particularly in devoting to the stupas.

             However, the beliefs and ritual on worshiping Buddhist stupas in Ubonratchathani province have been respected by the people as a holy stupas, for example, Prabarommatatchedi Srimahapho in Wat PhratatNongbou etc. The following rituals have been arranged for worshiping the stupas viz. conducting offering to the stupas, offering the decorated objects with flowers, the candlelit possession in the Buddhist important days etc. Furthermore the museum of Phra Ajan Sao Kantasilo, Wat Dontat and Phra Ajan Cha Subhaddo, Wat Nong Pa Phong have been recognized by the perfect practicing of both the masters. Meanwhile the important rituals arranged for expressing gratitude to the two masters were as follow: offering decorated objects with flowers, making the three rounds of clockwise walking, realizing the Triple Gem and all kinds of virtue. Then the annual Dhamma practicing program has been arranged by the temple the followers of both masters to express gratitude to the masters in accordance with cultivating loving-kindness and unity for the disciples, and realizing following the two masters' teachings.

             To sum up, the value of practical worship on Buddhist stupas of Buddhist in Ubonratchathani province has represented the advantages in many ways in particular the practical worshiping of the stupas contained the Buddha's relics, the disciple's relics and the relic of the senior monks in Ubonratchathani province, for instance, Phrabarommatatchedisrimahapho at Wat Phratat Nongbou, the museum of Phra Ajan Sao Kantasilo and the museum of Phra Ajan Cha Subhaddo. Therefore, the value of practical worshiping in Buddhist stupas of Unbonratchatani Buddhist can demonstrated as the following details viz. the belief and ritual, mental setting, Buddhist ethics, on the other hand, the value of the development toward Thai society has consisted of the areas viz. unity, economy and tourism, the ways of living, education, and tradition and culture.

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