ABSTRACT

                      The thesis entitled ‘An Analytical Study of Beliefs in Lanna’s Tradition of Prolonging Life’ consisted of 3 objectives as - 1) to study the concept and background of the Lanna’s prolonging life ceremony , 2) to investigate the its ritual to analyses the strong influence of the tradition of prolonging life towards Lanna people.

                      The tradition of prolonging life has long been considered as the northern Thai ceremony since the ancient time. The prolonging life ceremony is the integration of Buddhism, Hinduism Brahmanism and animism realistically. It is a very the interested tradition due to the northern people favor to perform in various occasions in order to prolong life and to encourage person. This ceremony is required a large numbers of people and oblations.

                      Things to be prepared as components in the ceremony    indicate   certain psychologically significance and can be interpreted in several ways.

                      The prolonging lifeceremonyhas close connection with people’s beliefs in four aspects. 1) The belief of power in Triple Gem 2) The belief of the Law of Kamma  3) The belief of blessing and         4) the belief of the Bedeviled which is related to the way to dedicate merit to departed persons.