| Summary: | 碩士 === 南華大學 === 生死學研究所 === 98 === A Study on the Faith of Relic (Saririkadhatu) of Thai Buddhism. This paper is based on analysis of literature, mostely, Thai Buddhism literature, and Pali, English and Chinese Buddhism literature are supporting material for further discussion in this research.
At the same time this paper also applies interview method with six persons with their subjective experiences and analysis. Through both, by analyzing literature and interview, this paper tries to understand Thai Buddhism faith in relic. The following three objective of this paper, (a) to discuss about the origin of Thai relic, (b) to discuss about the kinds and shape of Thai relic, and (c)discuss the faith of Thai Buddhism in relic.
The framework of this paper is as follows:
Chapter 1. Abstract: This includes Research the Background and Motive of Research, Objective,Range and Limitation, Reasons and defining the related terms.
Chapter 2. Discussion of Literature: According to the origin of relic, Kind and shapes of relic,Importance of relic, the Stupa, Toms and the faith in relic, the
historical origin of relic in Thailand,related reference from Thai, Pali, Chinese and English literature.
Chapter 3. Research structure: This part includes methodology, research steps and procedure,research instrument, the process and method of collecting and analyzing research material. With the consequences of objective and discussion of literature and by analyzing, tries to understand the attitude and contribution of Thai Buddhism faith in relic.
Chapter 4. Analysis and Discussion: This chapter provide the analysis of interview matter. The most important discussions are, how Buddhism faith in relic and varies experiences, are the foundation of this research. Further, according to the consequences of discussion of literature
constitute the structures of this paper.
Chapter 5. Conclusion: This chapter draws overall conclusion of the discussion and reviews for further research in this process.
The consequence of research literature: Originally the relic represents the remains of the Buddha after Enlightenment, and relic also represents the remains of Arahants and Sanghanayaka.Every kind of relics have their name, for example, The Buddha’s relic is called Buddha relic, the Arahant relics are called Arahand relic and the relic of Sanghanayakas are called Sanghanayaka relic.
Thai Buddhism have deep faith in relic. In Thai society, Thai culture and tradition are almost influenced by the faith of relic, for example, The Stupa is constructed to protect the relic, therefore we can see many ancient Stupas and Chaitya in old village in Thailand, like, Sukhothai, Lopburi,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, etc.
Presently there are Yin Ching Stupa to protect those Stupas like, Phradhatu-sijomthong Stupa,Phradhatu-lampanghlong Stupa in Lampang, Buddha Stupa of Nakhon Pathom and Golden Mountain Stupa of Bankok etc.
The Consequences of interview: The foundation of faith of Thai Buddhism in the relic is due to the succession of traditional faith in relic.
Buddhist hold wisdom to understand the relic and they have seen many kind of and shapes of relics. Also believe that the relics are miracle and sacred things which can manifests magical power which trancends the power of nature, for example, relics give birth to relics, relics can change their colors, relics also emits lights and relics can disappear. And it is observed that those who hold relics and pay offering to them, attains happiness in the life. For the purpose of offering the relics,therefore, most of Thai Buddhist practice devotedly to the relic and let their speech, body and mind pure. The relics represents the second real body of the Buddha. The faith in relic represents the faith in the Buddha.
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