Lak Reua Phra Thang Nam (The Water Procession of Hauling the Buddha Image): Development, Rituals, Persistence, and Participation in Conservation

การลากเรือพระทางน้ำ: พัฒนาการ พิธีกรรม การคงอยู่และการมีส่วนร่วมในการอนุรักษ์

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the rite, development and persistence of pulling a religious boat along the waterway, and to define and design the participation in preserving this rite. This qualitative research collected data from 38 key informants who provided vital information: boat-pulling groups, community leaders, government officials, and religious leaders. Participatory observation method, group discussion process, structured interview, and opening a community forum were employed to process information and link all issues. Then the information was synthesized, organized, and analyzed based on the descriptive analysis method. Finally, the findings of this community's narrative research were presented. The research revealed that 1) the rite of pulling a religious boat along the waterway used tools and materials to perform the ceremony and had essential steps of decorating the religious boat. The elements of performing the rite were composed of the ceremony's president, master of ceremony, participants, place, date and time, and steps of running the ceremony, for example: starting by inviting the Buddha image from the temple, followed by placing it on the religious boat, and pulling it along the waterway. 2) For development and persistence:  In the prosperous era of this rite, Phra Lak was made to be sacred and respected by the people. Later in the transition period, the form of pulling boats was improved and adjusted to match the era. During the recession, preservation has remained strong under modern trends and grown in popularity under the necessary condition by integrating local traditions into community tourism and its beliefs. The persistence of this ritual has been continued through the process of transmission and learning, appreciation of the benefits, application of the format following the current situation, promotion, and support from the public and private sectors to create acceptance from the outside society through participation and systematical management by the community, and creation of the contemporary activities. 3) For defining and designing participation in conserving the rite of pulling a religious boat along the waterway, there was the participation in studying information and situations in the community to find the unique traditions and culture of Nakhon Si Thammarat valuable for passing on to the next generation. It aimed to encourage young people to realize and participate in analyzing problems and causes through procedures and methods that may be adjusted or changed. Participation was a method used to select the solutions and plan for further learning. Students, tourists, and entrepreneurs took part in preparing the religious boat. Another approach was Outdoor Education, leading to all sectors implementing the community plan in transferring local knowledge related to the rite of pulling a Buddha image. Moreover, it could create jobs and income to support the community economy in terms of tourism. There must also be a common approach in monitoring and evaluating the organized activities to know the problems and obstacles and to find a solution to conserve and inherit the ritual of pulling a religious boat along the waterway to exist continually.