Abstract:
Dissertation on A Comparative Study of Religious Beliefs on the Afterlife of the Traditions of Lao and khmer Groups in Prachinburi Province has three research objectives: (1) to study of religious beliefs on the afterlife of the traditions of Lao Groups in Prachinburi Province, (2) to study of religious beliefs on the afterlife of the traditions of khmer Groups in Prachinburi Province, and (3) to compare of religious beliefs on the afterlife of the traditions of Lao and khmer Groups in Prachinburi Province. This research is a qualitative study by studying and collecting information from the Tripitaka related research academic papers and target audience interview. The research results were found as follows;
Faith is part of what makes religion with atheistic religion such as Buddhism polytheistic religion such as Brahmanism - Hinduism and spiritualist religion is the name of all beings that have spirits. is the initial belief faith encourages people to come up with ideas to ensure their beliefs. Therefore, the criterion of the afterlife had to be ceremonial to support those who went to the next world to live. Especially the beliefs of Lao and khmer Groups.
Making merit according to the beliefs of Lao Groups and the Sandonta ritual of Buddhists Khmer is a ritual to worship ancestors. Such a ritual which is a blend of Buddhist beliefs about making merit for the deceased. It can be seen that the history of the afterlife or the dedication of Lao and khmer Groups has a source of belief from the same source is information from Buddhist scriptures, and applied to the traditional beliefs of the local people
Merit traditions relating to the afterlife of Lao and khmer Groups. There are 2 parts of similar ceremonies: the first part is the preparation of alms to offer to the monks and then dedicating the merit to the deceased relatives according to Buddhist beliefs. The second part is to make offerings to worship various spirits by the motto that ghosts will be able to come and grab those objects back to the city of Prat. As for the different implications, it depends on the style of the ceremony depending on the locality.
The merits of the two traditions show the opinion of the cultures of these two groups that they are the same, go the same way this ritual was done for 1) dedicating merits to the deceased, 2) showing gratitude to the benefactors, 3) believing that the deceased would gain merit and be happy in peace all believe in the same direction. It is to dedicate the results to the deceased as an important principle.