Phra-thaen: Buddhism Belief and Thai culture

Authors

  • Phathompong Suklek

Keywords:

Phra-thaen, Buddhism, belief, Thai culture

Abstract

This article aims to describe the belief of phra-thaen and the Thai way of worship by referring to three pieces of Thai literature: 1) Nirat Phra-thaen Dongrang composed by Novice Klan; 2) Nirat Phra-thaen Dongrang composed by Mr. Mee; and 3) Nirat Luangprabang composed by Luang Thuayhanraksa (Phuem). The results found that there were two phra-thaen – Phra-thaen Dongrang and Pra-thaen Sila-at – that were important Buddhist venues where it is believed that the Lord Buddha visited in his lifetime. Worshipping at these sites has appeared in the form of both practice and material worship, such as fireworks, flowers and amusement, as well as other rituals. Accordingly, the abovementioned literature has retained its importance towards Thai culture regarding Buddhist worship during the Rattanakosin period until the present.

Author Biography

Phathompong Suklek

Lecturer Program in Thai, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University

References

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Published

14-03-2023

How to Cite

Suklek, P. (2023). Phra-thaen: Buddhism Belief and Thai culture. Journal of Thai Studies, 16(1), 105–128. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TSDJ/article/view/264144

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Research article

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