Abstract:
The researchs objectives were as follows: 1) to study the beliefs appearing in the "Sandonta" ritual in Khukhan district, Sisaket province, 2) to present the belief model of the community towards the Sandonta ritual in Khukhan district, Sisaket province, and 3) to study the Buddhist beliefs appearing in the " Sandonta" ritual. This is a qualitative research that was created through the descriptive analysis of the Tipitaka, further documents thereof and books relating to Buddhist teachings therein with the in-depth interview.
From the results of the research, it was found that the "Sandonta" ritual in Khukhan district, Sisaket province was the significant ritual adopting from Hinduism. Its considered a very important practice of the livin in the community as its related to many other ritualistic activities such as the ritual of paying respect to the ancestral spirits and making merits for them by organizing a large procession of paying respect along important roads in the city and having the participation of the government officers and temples. There were two social factors relating to the "Sandonta" ritual, namely: 1) the Ben Tud ritual or small "Sandonta" ritual taking place on the full moon of the tenth lunar month, and 2) the Ben Thom ritual or large Sandonta ritual taking place on the full moon of the tenth lunar month.
The belief model of the community towards the "Sandonta" ritual in Khukhan district, Sisaket province was the belief of the ethnic group of Thai-Khmer people. It played an influential role towards the way of lives of the Thai-Khmer people as it embedded the ethical values in peoples mind. Its the tradition that brought about harmony in the society and cultivated the behavior of giving and being generous to other people. All educational institutions should organize this ritualistic activity. Merit making could be conducted in many ways such as making to those who were still alive and those who already passed away.
From the study, it was also found that the Buddhist beliefs appearing in the "Sandonta" ritual on folk people were 1) the belief in merit making such as giving (Dāna), keeping the precepts and practicing meditation, 2) the belief in worship such as worshiping materials, however, there still existed an ancient way of worship as animals (chicken, fish and pork) were used instead of materials, 3) the belief in gratitude such as being grateful towards parents and teachers, obeying to their teachings and repaying them for their kindness, and 4) the belief in helping others such as sharing useful things to members in the family and community. The Sandonta ritual was originated from ancient people who believed in sanctity and superstition.