An Analytical of People’s Faith in Luang Pho Sothon of Wat Phai Tan, Phayathai District, Bangkok

Abstract

This article aimed to Analytical of People’s Faith in Luang Pho Sothon of Wat Phai Tan, Phayathai District, BangkokIt was qualitative research with in-depth interview as the key informants totaling 20. The results of the study found that: the ‘Saddha’ or faith appearing in Buddhism of 4 types: 1) Kammasaddha or belief in the action law, 2) Vipakasaddha or belief in the action’s results, 3) Kammassakatasaddha or believing that all beings have their own action and 4) Tathagatabodhisaddha or belief in the wisdom of the Buddha’s enlightenment. A person who firmly believes in the Buddha without wavering is said to be complete faithful. History of Luang Phor Sothon image was that in the past, the Buddha image floated in the Bang Pakong River and surfaced at the Wat Sothon pier. Resident people were unsuccessful in pulling it up, but there was a teacher with knowledge in black magic who held a ceremony to set up a shrine and pay homage, then tied a holy thread to Luang Por Sothon’s hand and brought him up to the shore and enshrined in the temple. Later, Wat Pai Tan had intended to create a Buddha image of Luang Por Sothon (replica) in 1954, the so that people can visit to pay homage and worship until now. People who come to pay homage and ask for blessings from Luang Por Sothon already have faith as a basis, making the wishes and after their wishes had been fulfilled, their faith increases. The people who ask for their blessings were fulfilled not because of blessings from Luang Por Sothon alone, but because of meritorious deeds of them, which is a factor of success of their wishes.