THE TRADITION OF THATE-MAHA-CHAT: TRADITION ARISEN FROM FEAR FOR “THE NEXT WORLD” AND “THE DARK AGE” IN THAI SOCIETY

Abstract

This study is aimed at studying the precept of belief in relation to the derivation of the Tradition of Thate-Maha-Chat. Findings revealed that this tradition was derived from two precepts of belief namely the Precept of Belief on Phra Malai and the Precept of Belief on Panja-Antrathran. These two precepts of belief were significantly related to the fear that humankind would be unable to go to “the Next World”
or “Phra Sri Ariya Era” and the other fear was the fear for “the Dark Age”which was the fear on top of “the Deterioration” of Buddhism. The Tradition of Thate-Maha-Chat was the evidence that significantly showed Buddhists’ precepts of belief on “the Next World” and the fear for the Loss or the End of Buddhism” in the Thai society. The initiation of the Tradition of Thate-Maha-Chat can be considered as the solution to manage the problem of fear in the spirit of humankind. The tradition had an important function to build up and boost confidence. People feel happy and relaxed on the condition that they can manage the problem through culture, that is the Tradition Mee-Thate-Maha-Chat is held so that Buddhists can listen to Thate-Maha-Chat and they are spiritually blessed with happiness and hope for “the Next World” and “the Dark Age.” Evidently, the Tradition of Thate-Maha-Chat” still takes an important role in Thai society.