ROLES OF BUDDHIST MONKS IN PRESERVING THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF WIANG KUM KAM, THA WANG TAN SUB-DISTRICT, SARAPHI DISTRICT, CHAING MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was aimed as follows; 1) to study the roles of Buddhist monks in preserving the archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam, 2) to study the problems and obstacles in preserving the archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam, and 3) to study the ways to develop the roles of monks in preserving the archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam. The research was conducted by in-depth interviews with target group that were the abbots of temples in Tha Wang Tan sub-district, Saraphi district, Chiang Mai province. The population being studied were 15 people from community leaders, merit-making leaders in Wiang Kum Kam area and representatives of relevant agencies. The instrument being used to collect data was the in-depth interview.

                The research found that 1) The monks played roles in preserving archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam by focusing on the preservation of antiques and artifacts, on the education in preservation of antiques and artifacts and on the cooperation in preservation of antiques and artifacts with government sectors, community leaders and related organizations. 2) The barriers of monks in the preservation of archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam at present was that the villagers in the community did not give much significance in the supervision of cleanliness of archaeological site, antiques and artifacts of Wiang Kum Kam in the temples as they should do and the monks lacked knowledge and understanding of the preservation of archaeological site, antiques and  artifacts in many field. 3) The guideline for developing the role of monks was that in the preservation of archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam, monks were considered to be the initiators of the preservation of archaeological site. Therefore, the monks should cooperate with the community leaders and villagers by co-ordination with the Fine Arts Department, Cultural Office and the agencies involved to provide training to all Buddhist monks in Tha Wang Tan sub-district which was the storage location of archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam to transfer knowledge for development in the preservation of archaeological site, antiques and artifacts of Wiang Kum Kam in an effective and sustainable manner.