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Abstract

This thesis entitled ‘A Study on Buddhists’ Behaviours in Offering Alms-food to Buddhist Monks, Looksue Sub-district, Onggarak District, Nakhonnayok Province’ has 3 objectives: 1) to study the principles in making merit in Buddhism, 2) to study Buddhists’ behaviours in offering alms-food to Buddhist monks, Looksue Sub-district, Onggarak District, Nakhonnayok Province, and 3) to analyze Buddhists’ behaviours, Looksue Sub-district, Onggarak District, Nakhonnayok Province. This is a qualitative research done by using documentaries and field research. In this, 36 samples in various professions were collected so as to gain information of its significances and objectives in offering alms-food to Buddhist monks. Furthermore, this was also concerned on suitable staffs and desirable monks whom they need to offer including the idea of support while making merit and benefits of it.

In the research, it was found that according to Buddhism, there are many ways in making merit, one of them is the giving of alms-food to Buddhist monks owing to its significant aspects in sustaining Buddhism because such an act is regarded as the supportive way provided for Buddhist monks and novices while learning the Buddha’s sets of teaching and practicing Dhamma; once they become learned persons then they can disseminate general people and thereby endlessly prolonging the age of Buddhism. Besides this, those who properly follow would expect to get the good benefit because such an action would bring the wholesome mind to them as a whole. It is said that people, who are in Looksue Sub-district, Onggarak District, Nakhonnayok Province, really understand the meaning and its significance in offering alms-food to Buddhist monks, if their goal is taken into account, want to obtain happiness and comfortability; while offering alms-food to Buddhist monks they are satisfied and motivated to support the members of Sangha so that once eaten, they can find happiness and then being able to take care of Buddhism.

According to Buddhism, offering alms-food to Buddhist monks are directly concerned with Buddhism. In this respect, people can offer alms-food to Buddhist monks in various occasions such as retreat season, the end of retreat season and the annual robe-presentation ceremony, all are done through offering alms-food to Buddhist monks. Though many ceremonies organizing in the time of New Year, annual yearly ceremony and Sonkgrant are somehow not rooted in Buddhism, yet they include such offering and people in Looksue Sub-district, Onggarak District,  Nakhonnayok Province still observe them till the present.