An Analysis of the Funeral Philosophy of Phu Thai Tribe, Dong Nuea Village, Lao Yai Subdistrict, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research paper were: 1) to study the funeral philosophy of the Phu Thai tribe; 2) to study the funeral philosophy of the Phu Tai tribe at Dong Nuea Village, Lao Yai Sub-district, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province; 3) to analyze the
funeral philosophy of Phu Tai tribe at Dong Nuea Village. This study was carried out by means of qualitative research by studying the information from the Tipitaka, documents, and related research. There were 27 key informants. The obtained data were interpreted by descriptive analysis based on the inductive method.
The research results were as follows:
1) The funeral philosophy of the Phu Thai tribe is a Buddhist philosophy hidden in funeral ceremonies to give an idea that death is the last thing in life and no one can escape. The Phu Thai tribe has a process of organizing the funeral rites as well to honor and mourn for the deceased.
2) In the funeral rites, there are hidden beliefs of the Phu Thai tribe at Dong Nuea Village, which have been practiced for generations following Buddhist principles to give future generations ideas and convey them as a good practice.
3) There are philosophical concepts hidden in funeral rites as follows: (1) Buddhist ethics appearing at funerals are funeral bathing, funeral ordination, and making merit for the deceased; (2) epistemology manifested in funerals such as the use of news signals, eyes closing, mouth closing and chanting Mtik; (3) the metaphysics appearing at
funerals include putting money in the mouth of a corpse, chanting the Abhidhamma, collecting relics, etc. In every step, such philosophical concepts are found in the funeral rituals of the Phu Tai tribe at Dong Nuea Village.