ABSTRACT

   There were 3 purposes of this thesis to 1) study the history of Jong Nae ceremony, 2) study the virtues and beliefs regarding to ‘Jong Nae’, and 3) study on ritual arrangement of ‘Jong Nae’ according to tradition of Wat Bangkadi community. It was a documentary research done by reviewing the scriptures, books, related texts proposed to advisor, corrected by his advices and finally written in descriptive type. The study was found that;

‘Jong Nae’ is a simulation of the planes (Bhūmi) appeared in Tipitaka or any scriptures, ‘Jong Nae’ idealized to imitate the abstract planes into concrete form to be easy for explaining to those who are interested in understanding the teachings of the Buddha. Therefore, it is a way to study and follow the doctrines to gain the great benefits for themselves as well as for public. When people behave morally and rightly, they will gain the peace, and in turn it will create the wholesome environment for those who live nearby with his virtue and deeds.

   ‘Jong Nae’ ceremony represents the different forms of the universe, the world, birth, and the three planes bond by circle of death and rebirth within itself.  In addition, it emphasized on the end of this circle of death and rebirth or Nibbana which is the cessation of all heaps of defilements and suffering which can be attained only following the doctrines of the Buddha rightly, they are the Four Noble Truth and the Noble Eightfold Path Noble which are in need to practice for the enlightenment.

   Death is unavoidable, everyone must be in front of the death surely, whoever are our relatives, friends, and acquaintances with whatever their beliefs. Dealing with this situation, various religion or ethnic groups like Mon people have traditional and cultural arrangement regarding to the death ritual. In the case of natural dead body, Mon people will keep the dead body inside the house and usually taken on a bed which made only for such dead body called a ‘Jong Nae’, which  is translated as ‘the wining bed’ which signifies that the dead must be victory over 4 planes, namely  the  Four Lower Worlds, Seven Happy States, Sixteen Fine-Material Sphere and the Four Formless Sphere.

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