ABSTRACT

          The purposes of this thesis were (1) to study the beliefsof Theravada Buddhism  (2)  to study the beliefs in the worship of the birthday Buddha image of people in Phonphisai district, Nongkhai province  (3) to compare the beliefs in the worship of the birthday Buddha image of people in Phonphisai district, Nongkhai province.  This thesis was mixed method of research with qualitative research and quantitative research. The data were collected from the Tipitaka, Commentaries, and other related documents.  The samples were 380 interviewees and 12 informants.  The data were statistically analyzed by mean, percentage, standard deviation and   T-test. The findings were as follows :

             1. The beliefs of Theravada Buddhism came from the beliefs in religion in the aspect of saddha 4, Cetayas 4, and anussati 10. Then people applied concrete drama and conventionality into the beliefs in the worship of the birthday Buddha image that caused incentive worship and practice worship those were the teaching of the Buddha.

             2.  The people in Phonphisai district, Nongkhai province believed that the worship of the birthday Buddha imageaffected (1) Buddha’s grace ; that was at the highest level in overall ( =4.53) (2) holiness ; that was at a high level in overall
( =4.48) (3) mind ; that was at the highest level in overall ( =4.50) (4) Buddhism propagation ; that was at a high level in overall ( =4.46) (5) family ; that was at a high level in overall ( =4.46) (6) community ; that was at a high level in overall                 ( =4.20) and (7) society ; that was at a high level in overall ( =4.35). People could live happily by following the Buddha’s teaching and all should help maintain Buddhism to be in Thai society.

             3. The beliefs of people both male and female in Phonphisai district, Nongkhai province towards the worship of the birthday Buddha image had no difference because they had the same background of culture.  And also the society was like a family.  People were taught in the same way.  As a result, people in Phonphisai had the same beliefs, without any difference.

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