ANALYZING BELIEF IN NAGA AND THE PROCESS OF CREATING CULTURAL IDENTITY BY BUDDHIST WAY FOR COMMUNITY IN THE MEKONG BASIN

Abstract

This research has the following objectives are: 1) to study the beliefs and relationships associated with the Naga in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to explore the beliefs and influences of the Naga on the Buddhist way of life and culture among Mekong River communities and 3) to analyze the belief in Nagas and the process of creating Cultural Identity by Buddhist Way for Community in the Mekong Basin. This is qualitative research by collecting data from the field, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The main informants consisted of monks, local scholars, and people from the Mekong River Basin, totaling 27 people. The tools used for data collection were in-depth interviews and content analysis. The research results found that:

1. Beliefs and relationships associated with the Naga in Theravada Buddhism regarding in past lives, when the Buddha was still a Bodhisattva, he was born as a Naga and practiced asceticism and observed the Uposatha precepts to accumulate merit until he could transcend the Naga form. The causes of being born as a Naga stem from two types of karma: wholesome and unwholesome, just as with humans, deities, and all living beings.
2. Beliefs and the Influence of Naga Narratives on the Buddhist Way-of-Life Culture in the Mekong River Communities, the key components are: 1) Faith in Buddhism 2) Belief in Nagas and 3) Legends/Folktales and Culture/Traditions.
3. Analysis of Naga Belief and the Process of Cultural Identity Formation in the Buddhist Way of Life of the Mekong River Communities.The process occurs through six steps: 1) Self-awareness and historical consciousness 2) Cultural transmission and preservation 3) Relationship building 4) Community participation 5) Fostering cultural pride and 6) Tradition-based cultural management. These reflect the identity and cultural values of the communities along the Mekong River, particularly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, and Nakhon Phanom provinces.