Abstract:
This is qualitative research. The objectives of this research are (1) to study
the knowledge Uposathasila in Buddhism and Saum in Islam, and (2) to study and
compare their consequences in the two religions. The study is comprised of both
documents and a field study, using in-depth interviews with Buddhist and Muslim
sample groups in Bangkok.
The results of the document research showed that Uposathasila contains the
Eight Precepts Training Rules, such as abstinence from untimely eating and abstinence
from unchastity. The Eight Precepts are to be observed on the Observance Day or
Uposatha Day, lasting one day and one night. Buddhists practise this in order to
temporarily leave a mundane life for religious life. So to is the Saum obligation for
every Muslim who is of age, sane and physically fit to keep them. Saum asks Muslims
to abstain completely from food and drink, restricts sexual intercourse, misbehavior in
words and in action and requires specially observing general religious ethics before
the break of dawn till sunset, during 29-30 days of the month of Ramadan, the ninth
month of the Islamic lunar year. So both principles, point to a key point of contact, i.e.
cultivation of morality on the basis of physical restriction. Both principles are the
foundation for the supreme good in Buddhism and Islam, the attainment of the
individuals’ goal of life and social well-being.
The results of field research showed that both practices are acts of selfrestriction
that call for control of practitioners physical desires to make them work as
he likes; indeed their willpower is so developed that they can command themselves
and thus attain true moral greatness. Both practices, in the opinion of the two sample
religious groups, give good health as well as a high level of patience and other
virtures. Thus Uposathasila and Saum should deserve general promotion and practice
in the present Thai society