ARTS AND CULTURE LEARNING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY OF THE TRADITION OF CHAK PHRA TAK BAT THEVO, SONGKHLA PROVINCE

Abstract

            The tradition of dragging the Buddha image of the people of Songkhla province has been going on for a long time since the Srivijaya period, according to the records of Chi Ing monks, which reflects the beauty of the arts, traditions and good culture of the villagers that have been followed and passed down to the present day It also demonstrates the faith of Buddhists and local wisdom.

          In this academic article, the author will present the current state of the artistic and cultural learning resources of the Chak Phra Tak Bat Thevo tradition in Songkhla Province, divided into 3 components as follows: 1) the objective aspect, 2) the artistic and cultural learning resources aspect, and 3) arts and culture learning activities. Results from the past to the present through creating, accumulating, and creating new cultural capital. Develop society to benefit the nation in terms of economy, tourism industry to keep pace with changes and express identity in arts and culture. The Chak Phra tradition is, therefore, an inheritance of the culture and way of life of the people in the community that is connected with Buddhism.

Organizing a Chak Phra ceremony is, therefore, not only an activity that provides entertainment for the people. But it is also an expression of respect and faith in Buddhism, including promoting unity in the community and practising Dhamma in daily life in Songkhla Province forever. The knowledge from this article will make Songkhla people or Buddhists aware of the value of arts and culture in the Chak Phra Tak Bat Thevo tradition in Songkhla Province, creating an impression of the cultural heritage encountered. It also serves as a shared learning base outside the classroom between houses, temples, schools (Bowon) and the community to foster a sense of value that will develop into a combination of energy in further conservation research.