Lanna Beliefs and Rituals Regarding Well-being of the Community: A Case Study of the Office of Grandfather Chaiya Lanka, Nam Bo Luang Sub-district, San Pa Tong District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the Lanna beliefs and rituals; 2) to study the well-being enhancement of the community; 3) to study a model, method, and activity according to the Lanna beliefs related to the well-being enhancement of the community. The study was a qualitative research with purposive sampling population of 25 persons. The research instruments involved an interview from and focus group discussion.

The results of this research found that:

1. The Lanna beliefs and rituals, reveal that Lanna people believe in those that are supernatural. Furthermore, their beliefs are also based on religion their beliefs and are connected which eventually result in the ritual that bring about the Lanna identity. This leads to the development of society with potentiality and stability.
2. The well-being enhancement of the community by Poo Yai Chaiya Lanka group, was found that rituals are a mix of beliefs on spirits in Hinduism and Buddhism. These are also mixed to the original belief where monks and ritual experts also participate in the activities. The activities are blessed with power and success which result in the well-being enhancement of the community.
3. A model, method, and activity according to the Lanna beliefs to the well-being enhancement of the community revealed that the well-being enhancement comprises of 1) mind; 2) physical body; 3) intellect; 4) society. The Lanna rituals according to the beliefs consist of 1) misfortune exorcism; 2) prolongation; 3) Candles worshiping; 4) Yantra tattooing; 5) amulet worshiping. Lanna rrituals consist of: 1) Picking up bad luck; 2) Inheriting fate; 3) Worshiping candles; 4) Tattooing amulets; 5) Consecrating sacred objects. It is related to the health promotion of the community. To have a strong mind and healthy body to develop oneself, family and community happily.