Abstract

This thesis had 3 objectives; 1) studying a history of deity in Tipitaka scripture, 2) studying the influences of invokers in Thai society and 3) studying a ritual performance of invokers at Prasamutchedi district. The method of this thesis was qualitative research and field research using structured interviews as the survey of the thesis done by random sampling with 10 interviewers. The findings were that;

Devatã or deity in Buddhist sense was a sentient being who resides in divine plane. They used to perform wholesome deeds such as giving, precept observing or insight training when they lived in human plane. Due to their wholesome actions, they ever receive pleasurable objects which were more profound than in human plane. There are 6 planes of deity; Cãtummahãrãjika, Tãvatinsa, Yãma, Tusitã, Nimmãnarati, Paranimmitavasavatti. When their results of wholesomeness completely finished, deities must disappear to be born in other planes according to results of consciousness. In various places of Buddhist scriptures, there found the many stories of deities who visited and talked to men.

Many people in Thai society still believe that the invokers contain knowledge and capability beyond human being. They can what had happened in past and even in the future especially while being in ritual, they can communicate with other deity or spirits. The way to be invoker comes from; 1) serious sickness, 2) being determined by deity, 3) succession from family and 4) training or sacred ceremony to indoctrinate pupils. Because Thai society is not complete rational and scientific society, so people still keep their faith in invokers for mental solution. It may be good and bad depending on its means and purposes.

From analyzing for the annual sacred ceremony performed by invokers, it was found that there were three Buddhist morals namely a belief, meritorious acts and principle of ritual performances. The invokers suggested pupils to follow belief, giving, observing precepts and meditation retreat. In influences of religious belief the invokers keep and apply Buddhist doctrines in ritual performing and as code of living which shows the relationship between Buddhism and invoker. Their suggestions on religious duties are classified into 3 main topics; 1) meritorious acts, 2) precept observing and 3) meditation practice. Those who mostly processed the invokers were hermits, Hidu deities, local spirits and Chinese deities respectively. In relation between Buddhist belief and rituals of the invokers, it found that the invoker’s belief related to Buddhist rituals are believing in meditation practice, chanting and precept observing respectively.

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