Abstract:
The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the rituals and practices of conscious life and death in Buddhism; 2) to study the rituals and practices of conscious life and death in Tha Song Khon Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province; 3) to analytically study rituals and conscious life and death of Buddhists in Tha Song Khon Subdistrict. This study was carried out through qualitative research, documentary research, and field work research focusing on in-depth interviews to find the results.
The results showed that rituals and practices of conscious life and death are so closely intertwined with people's way of life in the present community that they are almost inseparable. When there are festivals, there are also ceremonies according to their beliefs in each religion. This creates a 'religious ritual" with faith, making rituals related to life and death an essential element of human life. It is the foremost important activity of social life; as a result, people in the community have rituals and practices that are consistent with the principles of Buddhism because most of the people in the Tha Song Khon Subdistrict community are Buddhists with the leadership of the community leaders, community scholars, and monks that are very good at performing rituals and practices following the traditions that have been passed on and have principles of Buddhist teachings. By bringing the principles of Dhammas in Buddhism, such as 'the Eightfold Noble Paths,' as the principle of human development, people can apply the principle in daily life in any activity. There must be consciousness and awareness in everyday life because consciousness determines how the mind thinks about what to say, what to do, and the words to say. It is a symptom that the mind does not forget, also called carelessness or to be always awakened and able to develop oneself, leading to the application of principles that are important in life until the most important Dhamma can be applied in the leadership of the community with honesty and the intention to drive people in the community to understand the laws of nature, which are the principles of life that all things are subject to these three laws of truth, namely, Aniccaṁ, Dukkhaṁ, and Anattā. This leads to the development of mindfulness, the remembrance of death, and the mind to know the world as it really is to prepare oneself to face a ton of separation and loss when that day comes.
Therefore, the rituals and practices for life and death in Tha Song Khon Subdistrict are practices that are consistent with Buddhist practice. There are ceremonies and practices based on Buddhist principles. These rituals and practices play a role in making the community members unity and an opportunity to join in making merit, eating, and having fun together, and young people have the opportunity to meet. It also causes the gathering of distant relatives and friends to come together. All this is a ritual that will make everyone feel part of the community, society, or nation. In the end, it leads to the strength of the community by using these advantages. According to Buddhist principles, people are not enslaved to the ritual but are a master of rituals with correct practices.