The research explores how the beliefs in Devas influent Lanna society. The objectives of this study are 1) to study about Deities in Tripitaka, the Buddhist scripture, 2) to examine the influence of the belief in Devas in Lanna society and 3) to analyze how the belief in Deities affects Lanna society by exploring from various academic works in Buddhism and interviewing many experts individually.

   The results of the study have shown that the meaning of Devas in Buddhism refers to a group of non-human beings who live in the heavens called Deva Lokas.          A god is called Deva and a goddess is called Devi. They live in Chakamapajorn, the six heavenly spheres, which means the realm of desire. These beings still indulge in their desires. They are stuck in the incarnation cycle as ordinary human beings. This concept is confirmed in the Buddhist scripture, Tripitaka which divided into three parts of baskets of teachings called Vinaya Pitaka, Sutra Pitaka, and Abhidharma Pitaka. Furthermore, Devas in Buddhism are also classified into three classes which are Sommutthithep, Aubatthithep, and Visutthithep. The emergence of the Devas depends on the merits and the moral shame and fear of wrongdoing, Hiri and Ottappa they have accumulated over lifetimes. Those will bring them to arise in different heavens where they can enjoy their angelic treasure. However, Devas can also be extinguished from the heavens if their merit or life in heaven is depleted.

   The belief in Deva that appears in Thai society was influenced by beliefs from ancestors in ancient times which comes from the evolution of spiritual beliefs in nature. This causes belief in the spirit of deuce, goddess nymphs, in accordance with the principles of traditional beliefs and Hindu Brahmanism therefore creating relationships in each society, such as influence on literature, various fine arts, paintings, sculptures, and have been interchanged by time and time.

   Faith in Deva of Lanna people mainly comes from preach in Buddhism and the influence from the origin of the traditional Lanna beliefs which believe and rely on things that are natural phenomena. The belief influences the way that people live and it is used as a spiritual anchor. And that results in the Lanna people focusing on the merit making of charity. In addition, there is a belief in supernatural things, such as spirits, gods, magical, spells and still have respect for the Deva or the Lanna people called "Ghosts". Ghost can be divided into 3 categories, by praising the ghost up to being a high-class deva, Deva ghost, auspicious ghost, and ancestral spirits. And that causes the Lanna social relationship that was influenced by the belief of Deva. Therefore appearing to be evident in forms of tradition, rituals, culture, and literature various arts and dances.

   The benefits generated from the belief of Deva Influencing Lanna society is practice like do good and refrain from evil not obsessed with sins. Although Lanna society has a unique identity and cultural values but if the person who brought it to tell or wrongly follow until it became a wrong value for people in society may cause the society to deteriorate. And ultimately should rely on the concept of Deva for self and social development by using it as a center of faith help heal the mind when lacking encouragement. But not be more important than Buddhism, it became a crisis of faith.

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