The study the rituals to exorcise a labyrinth of Buddhists in Muang district, Surin Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1)studythe belief about the ritual renewal for a long life and exorcise in Theravada Buddhism 2) to study the rituals to exorcise a labyrinth of Buddhists in Muang district, Surin Province, 3) to analyze the influence and heritage conservation method and beliefs about exorcise a maze of Buddhists in Muang district, Surin Province.

The results of the study were revealed as follows:

In Buddhist Theravada, there is a ritual of renewal for a long life. It contains in the Buddhist doctrine in the title mantra of "Ayuwattanakumar" that was presided by the Loard Buddha with this ritual. It is seen that in the title mantra of "Ayuwattanakumar" is inherited Buddhism by making merit and chanting a Buddhist mantra. These can make life better or live longer.

The ritual to renewal labyrinth of Buddhists in Muang district, Surin province is called in another as a great merit ceremony. It is believed that consequence would be got the greatest virtue also. The activity can be gratitude to the parents. The Buddhist family that can be supported needs to have really faith in Buddhism and to have enough capital. Because they have to prepare several materials for offering given as alms. The ceremony hall and to tie holy thread as complicated as the labyrinth are made by preparing the offering given as alms, parents and old people inside the ceremony hall while the special pavilion is provided for the monks outside the hall. Monks will chant the Buddhist mantras and deliver sermons as a pair of monks. At the midnight, the most senior and respective monk will be invited to walk along the artificial labyrinth way, bless and take the offering given as alms which are provided.

According to beliefs about chanting the Buddhist mantra and making a merit, these will renew a long life that is contained in the Buddhist doctrine also. These beliefs has been continued by generation to generation including Buddhists in Muang district, Surin province. Therefore, the influence of previous beliefs are caused to the present. It is believed that providing the chanting Buddhist mantras for renew a long life and making merit through monks are needed by the Buddhist communities in Muang district, Surin province. Unfortunately, nowadays, this ceremony has decreased day by day because there are many factors like a new generation is careless; spending on payment for the ceremony is used by much money and so on.