THE COMPARISON OF BELIEFS AND ETHICS IN THE SONDONTA TRADITION OF THAI PEOPLE OF KHMER DESCENT IN VILLAGE NO. 6, BAN SOMBAT CHAROEN, KUT BOT SUB-DISTRICT, SOENG SANG DISTRICT, NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed 1. to compare beliefs in the Santana tradition of Thai people of Khmer descent, in Village No. 6, Ban Sombat Charoen, Kut Bot Subdistrict, Soeng Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province with Buriram, Surin and Sisaket provinces, and 2. To analyze the morals in the Sandonta tradition of Thai Khmer people in Village No. 6, Ban Sombat Charoen, Kut Bot Sub-district, Soeng Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This research is a qualitative research. The researcher researched and gathered data from the research works, research reports, academic articles, journals, books, writings, and other related media. The research tool was interview. And, the collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis for further presentation of the research results.

            The results of the research showed the villagers in Village No. 6, Ban Sombat Charoen, Kut Bot Subdistrict, Soeng Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima province believe that the Santana Tradition is the tradition to express gratitude and to remind them of their deceased ancestors. It is a merit making dedicated to grandparents, grandparents, and ancestors in order to show the appreciation of the benefactors and gratitude to their ancestors.

The Santa Cruz Tradition is inserted with Dharma teachings as follows. 1. Gratitude expressed by children or younger generation by joining together to make merit and dedicate the merit to their ancestors. 2. Unity, in the Sandonta tradition expressed by the villagers in the community through jointly preparing food together, making Khao Tom together to make Krayasart. 3. Giving or donation expressed through the way that villagers bring snacks they made to distribute to neighbors, the poor, and people in the community. And, 4. forgiveness of which gran parents, parents, and elder relatives forgive  their children along with blessing.