A STUDY OF THE BELIEF ON PETAIN SART DUAN SIB TRADITION: A CASE STUDY OF POPULATION IN MUANG DISTRICT OF NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

              The purposes of this study aimed to investigate Peta appeared in the Buddhist scriptures, the levels of participation in the Sart Duan Sib tradition, as well as guidelines for the development of ritual activities related to beliefs in Peta in Sart Duan Sib tradition according to the Buddhism principles.

              The findings of the study showed that Peta refers to the dead who passed way or was re-born in the hell because of worse Karmas. In fact, Peta whom the people in Nakhon Si Thammarat province has devoted the merit in Sart Duan Sib tradition is so-called "Paradattupa jiviPeta", who receives the portion of  merits only from their relatives. It is true that the objectives of Sart Duan Sib tradition are to give merits to the ancestors who passed away, as well as to inherit this ritual ceremony from old generations to young generations. 

              In addition, the people’s participation in the Sart Duan Sib tradition held in Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province was rated at a higher level, meanwhile their opinions towards the Sart Duan Sib tradition in Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province was rated at a highest level in terms of the children’s dedication of merits to their ancestors, followed by expressing children’s gratitude to their ancestors, and the time of annual family reunion in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

              Lastly, the Mhrab arrangement in the future should be developed for its aesthetic looks, which  were concerned with the consumers putting in the Mhrab. This was because monks would use the items contained in the Mhrab for living during their Buddhist lent. For the better Tung Peta - Ching Peta, each monastery should well-prepare a place for Tung Peta, as well as well-organized people should be responsible for signaling the Ching Peta to prevent the Ching Peta prematurely. Event Sart Duan Sib tradition should be more given knowledge for those who joined the tradition. The temple area should be clean and suitable. The Sart Duan Sib events organized by the government sector should be held in one place, and should be provided with the knowledge about Sart Duan Sib tradition and Buddhist doctrines in many different events.