Cultural Maintaining Identity of Vietnamese Thais Based on Buddhism in Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This article delves into the preservation of cultural identity among Thai-Vietnamese individuals in Surat Thani Province, drawing from Buddhist principles. The Thai-Vietnamese community in this region has upheld a unique identity through their beliefs, lifestyle, rituals, and traditions. They have transitioned towards embracing Thai-Buddhist customs prevalent in the southern part of the country, evident in three key aspects. 1. The fusion of Buddhism and lifestyle identity, encompassing attire linked to significant Buddhist traditions, expressions of gratitude towards ancestors within family dynamics, and the practice of offering Vietnamese cuisine to monks as a form of merit-making. 2. The integration of Buddhism with beliefs in rituals, including the veneration of Buddha statues and ancestral worship that blends traditional customs with Buddhist practices, such as creating Buddha statues for worship alongside honoring ancestors, as well as observing death rituals by Buddhist traditions. 3. The incorporation of Buddhism into traditional identity, such as the tradition of ordination as a means of repaying parents' merits, adherence to Buddhist principles in wedding customs, particularly the four principles of Samjivi Dhamma, participation in Songkran festivities akin to local Thai Buddhists in the south and observing the tenth lunar month tradition (Ching Pret) by adjusting merit-making practices to dedicate merits to deceased ancestors.