AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE BUDDHIST IDENTITY OF TAI LUE ETHNIC GROUPS IN BAN THI DISTRICT. LAMPHUN PROVINCE

Abstract

The research study entitled “An Analytical Study of the Buddhist Identity of 
the Tai Lue Ethnic Group in Ban Thi District. Lamphun Province” aimed to 1) study 
the history of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi District. Lamphun Province. 2)  
study the Buddhist identity of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi District. Lamphun 
Province. and 3) analyze the Buddhist identity of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi 
District. Lamphun Province. This research was a qualitative research using documents 
and in-depth interviews with 12 informants.  
For the history of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi District. Lamphun 
Province. it was found that the Tai Lue people in Ban Thi District. Lamphun Province. 
from the evidence. assumed that they migrated from Meng Cheng Hung in 
Xishuangbanna. It corresponded to the Yunnan province of China. Most of the Tai 
Lue people still maintained their identity. which was respect for their ancestors. The 
surname therefore often began with the name of the ancestor and ending with the 
word "Yai". For example. the descendants of Father Nan Panyo and Mother Oui Kha 
used the surname “Panyoyai”. and other surnames such as Sitthiyai. Panyayai. 
Srinualyai. Suyayai. and Jaiyayai. This included the surname “Chiang Rung”. which was 
considered as a surname that represented love in the homeland of their ancestors. 
For the Buddhist identity of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi District. 
Lamphun Province. it was found that the Tai Lue group believed in Buddhism. which combined with the belief in ghosts and spirits. There were rituals. offerings to worship 
all the sacred things. and making merit according to Buddhist traditions every month 
of the year. 

For analyzing the Buddhist identity of the Tai Lue ethnic group in Ban Thi Dis
trict. Lamphun Province. it was found that the Tai Lue people had faith and belief in 
Buddhism. They had brought the principles of Buddhism as a principle of conduct. 
called “ethical principles”. This included social ethics and ethical principles. beliefs 
about karma. and the results of the karma that each person had done. It corre
sponded to the four principles of faith in Buddhism. “Kamma Suttha”. It was a belief 
that karma existed. Vipaka Sutta was a belief in the results of karma. It referred to 
doing good things and good things would happen to you. If you did bad things. bad 
things would happen to you. Whatever you did. you would get that result.