An Analytical Study of Thai People Behaving Themselves According to KATAÑÑUKATAVEDī Principle in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were 1) to study Kataññukatavedī principle in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy, 2) to study Thai people behaving themselves according Kataññukatavedī principle in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy, and 3) to analyze Thai people behaving themselves according to Kataññukatavedī principle in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy.  The study was based on documentary research. Data collection was also based on the Pali / Thai Tipitaka, its commentaries, including academic texts, and other research works involved. 

The findings were as follows:

1) Kataññukatavedī principle is the fundamental religious virtue which human beings had to practice directly and indirectly towards one another under the conscience of obligation of the human, the animal, and the environment. 2) Thai people behaved according to Kataññukatavedī principle with the conscience of gratitude toward benefactors/ancestors, animals, natural environments in daily life through performing rites and rituals, festivals, and ceremonies on certain occasions in order to commemorate the significance of human beings, animals, and natural environments that were endlessly meaningful to them.  3) The Kataññukatavedī virtue was truly valuable only to those who applied it to their daily lives, but not to those who studied and understood without putting it into practice.  In this regard, it will be seen from the benefits on many levels, i.e. to Oneself such as happiness, being praised and  the longevity of life, finally being born in the realm of happiness, to Society, it will support the security of society. And   to Buddhism, it prolongs the religion because of the gratitude in the Buddha.