An Analytical Study of Buddhist Principles in Tan Khao Mai Tradition in Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research article was: 1) to study the relationship between Buddhism and local traditions and rituals; 2) to study the New Rice Offering Ceremony of Ban Yuan Subdistrict, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province; and 3) to analyze the Buddhist principles reflected in the New Rice Offering Ceremony of Ban Yuan Subdistrict, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province. This research employed a qualitative approach with 14 key informants. The data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

The research revealed that: 1) Lanna local traditions served as a cultural heritage that reflected the way of life, beliefs, and values continuously transmitted across generations, with the ceremony playing a crucial role in fostering community unity. 2) The New Rice Offering Ceremony of the Yuan sub-district community has main rituals similar to those elsewhere, including selecting the best rice from the harvest, gathering in the morning, worshipping the Triple Gem, observing the Five Precepts, reciting the Wen Tan invocation, offering alms food, and dedicating merit. 3) The Buddhist principles reflected in the New Rice Offering Ceremony and ritual were the Ten Bases of Merit-making (Boon-kiriya-vatthu), namely: generosity (danamaya), morality (silamaya), meditation (bhavanamaya), humility (apacayanamaya), service (veyyavaccamaya), sharing merit (pattidanamaya), rejoicing in others’ merit (pattanumodana-maya), listening to Dhamma (dhammasavanamaya), teaching Dhamma (dhammadesanamaya), and right view (ditthujukamma).