TO STUDY OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND PROMOTION OF THE HOK PENGLONG FAR WAI SA PHRATHAT DOI TUNG FESTIVAL IN CHIANG RAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This article has two objectives as the following: 1) to study the history and
historical backgrounds of Phrathat Doi Tung, 2) to preserve and promote the Tradition
of the sixth Full Moon Night of Lunar Month to pay homage to Phrathat Doi Tung,
3) to pass on the faculty of knowledge of the said tradition. This is the qualitative
research. The instruments for collecting data are related documents, in-depth
interview, with other related researches. The research results are;
(1) Phrathat Doi Tung has two pagodas but they were built in the different
time. The first one was built in the reign of king Ajuttaraj, the third king of Yonok
kingdom while the second one in the reign of King Phaya Meng Rai Narraj, the fourth
king of the same kingdom. Thus, the two pagodas appeared to be present on Doi
Tung until today.
(2) So on the full moon night of the fourth month (or the sixth month of the
north), Buddhists will organize the tradition of pouring water to the Phrathat every
year. Doing this is said to preserve and promote this important tradition of Chiangrai
province including to encourage tourism industy in Chiangrai to be more popular as
well.
(3) To pass on the activities of the mentioned tradition to last for good. It also
found that in this tradition the Chiang Rai Provincial Governor acting as the Chairman
of lay people together with the Chief of the Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor acting
as Chairperson of monks have passed on the tradition of paying homage to the
Phrathat Doi Tung to the society widely and for the benefits of next generations to
come.