A Confucian Gratitude Reflected through Thai-Chinese Descent’ Belief and Ritual: A Case Study from Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat

Abstract

The research of confucian gratitude reflected through Thai-Chinese descent’ belief and ritual: a case study from Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat are done in order to 1) study about Confucianism’s gratitude principles and 2) study Thais of Chinese descent’ beliefs and rituals from those who live in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat. This study is a qualitative research done by folkloristic methods. These methods emphasized the study from documents and fieldwork. The sampling group was consisted of local academicians and knowledgeable people chosen by purposive sampling. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaire to gather all insights. Then, the data was concluded analyzed and presented by descriptive analysis.

            The result shows that gratitude is one of eight important precepts of Confucian which is reflected on social organization between human. Gratitude starts within a family such as gratitude from sons or daughters to their parents no matter if their parents are alive or dead. Thais of Chinese descent in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat still believe in Confucian gratitude. They behave according to Confucian gratitude. They showed gratitude to their parents and ancestors. This is indicated through many festivals such as Chinese New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, Spirit Festival and the Tenth Lunar Month. These important festivals indicate existence of 2 Confucian gratitude principles: 1) gratitude to parents and 2) gratitude to ancestors.