ABSTRACT

                   The researcher’s three purposes of this research titled “The Influences of Naga Belief on Rituals Performaned by Residents of Phonphisai District, Nongkhai Province” were (1) to study Naga King as appeared in Buddhist scripture (2) to study the belief of the folks in Phonphisai District, Nongkhai Province and (3) to analytically study the influence of belief in Naga King towards the rituals of the folks in Phonphisai District, Nongkhai Province.

              The results of the research were found that the Naga King in the Buddhist scripture of Theravada Buddhism originated from 2 actions, that is, (1) wholesome and (2) unwholesome such as the observance of the eighth precepts and desiring to be Naga or violating the discipline etc. by Naga King that came from the 4 originations. Buddhism certified that the Naga King really existed as one creature that was in the universe.

              For the belief in Naga King of the folks in Phonphisai District, it resulted from the belief, namely, (1) the snake worship (2) the spiritual worship of ancient people before worshiping Brahmanism and Buddhism, especially, in Theravada Buddhism, the belief in Naga King of the folks in Phonphisai District has been improved and developed in order to associate with the belief of Buddhism until the present.

              The belief of the Buddhists in Phonphisai District, Nongkhai Province towards the Naga King and the rituals related to Naga King was found that

(1)    The folks of Phonphisai believe that Naga King really exist  and

becomes from the Four Kinds of birth, that is, Andaja means egg –born creature (2) Jalabuja means wormb-born creatures (3) Samsedaja means moisture–born creature (4) Opatika means spontaneously-born Naga King and when he was born, he is under control of four lineages of Naga King, that is, Virupakksa king’s family (2) Erapatha king’s family (3) Chapaya putta King's family (4) Kanhakhotamaka king’s family by Virupakkha’s controlling and (2) the belief in Naga King of folks in Phonphisai District has the influence towards various rituals such as to worship the Naga King in the  Fireball festival, determination to be Naga King’s son and fire boat flowing etc. On the other hand, it still has the influence towards the rituals concerning the way of life such as the rituals for construction of the house, the rituals for new house warming ceremony, the rituals for Boon Hod Song Nam (to pour water on the Buddhist monks), the rituals for Parivasa Kamma (probation ceremony) and the rituals for performance of blessing ceremony etc. All these ceremonies are usefulness that results in the belief in Naga King of local folks by inheritance to the present period of time.

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