CULTURAL HERITAGE REGARDING THE RITE AND THAM KHWAN KHAO RITUAL TEXT IN NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to 1) compile and create a database of local philosophers that have local wisdom relating to “Tham Khwan Khao” rite,  2) study the local wisdom from the Rite, and 3) analyze and interpret the content of “Tham Khwan Khao” ritual text in Nakhon Pathom Province. Data was collected by using qualitative research methodology through in - depth interviews and focus group discussions. Key informants were 56 local philosophers selected by purposive sampling and snowball sampling from 206 population The inclusion criteria were as follows: the farmers, having local wisdom, and living in Nakhon Pathom. Frequency and content analysis were used in data analysis. The results reveal that: 1) From the cultural heritage database, there are 56 local philosophers. 19 of 56 people are accepted as the ritual experts and also guaranteed for “Mor Khwan,” while others are only the ritual experts. 2) Regarding the cultural heritage study concerning the rite, it is found that the knowledge has been divided into 3 aspects; season, place, and auspicious occasion. 3) Based on “Tham Khwan Khao” ritual text analysis, it reflects 1) the human - supernatural relationship 2) the human - nature relationship, 3) "Popular Buddhism" that shows the close relationship among "Buddhism", "Animism" and "Brahmanism" and 4) "holistic" way of thinking which believes that the existence of each part has relation and affects with each other in the same way of “Conditionality.”