Religious Beliefs and Sacred Elements in the Literature of Kau Chim Prophecies

Abstract

     This research article aims to study religious beliefs and sacred entities in the Kau Chim Prophecies literature of Chinese shrines in the Bangkok metropolitan area. The data used in the research included Kau Chim Prophecies slips from eight Chinese shrines in Bangkok area, with a total of 458 slips. The researcher collected data from the shrines in Bangkok over a period of three weeks, from November 15, 2023, to February 15, 2024.

     The research findings revealed that the content of the Kau Chim Prophecies slips from the Chinese shrines reflected beliefs in Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and sacred entities, as shown in the following data: 1. Buddhist belief in striving to do good deeds, 2. Taoist belief in worshiping the gods of Taoism and leading a virtuous life, 3. Confucian belief in good governance and ethics, and 4. Belief in sacred entities, where gods are believed to possess supernatural powers. These beliefs influence people’s ways of life and thinking, serving both a psychological role and a source of emotional support for humans, that they can be applied to modern life.