DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLES TO PROMOTE PILGRIMAGE FOR MERIT-MAKING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES BASED ON THE IDENTITY OF COMMUNITIES IN MUEANG NAKHON NAYOK DISTRICT, NAKHON NAYOK PROVINCE.

Abstract

This research aimed to 1. Study the development model of temples to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province. 2. Study the level of participation in the development of temples to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province. 3. The results of the development of temples to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province were conducted according to the mixed-method research methodology: qualitative research, in-depth interviews with 25 monks or people, descriptive data analysis, and quantitative research. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 386 people. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The research results found that:

1. 1. Development of temples to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province The Sangha of Nakhon Nayok Province played a role in promoting and developing temples as the center of the community. The development models of temples were similar and different, consistent with the identity of the community, creating faith, promoting merit-making activities, supporting various temples, and bringing Buddhists to participate in merit-making activities.


2. 2. The level of participation in the development of temples to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province was at a high level overall. The aspect with the highest average value is the aspect of participating in pilgrimage activities, followed by the aspect of determining the temple development model, and the aspect with the lowest average value is the aspect of creating pilgrimage routes.


3. 3. The results of temple development to promote pilgrimage according to the identity of the community of Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok Province. The community jointly developed the temple, organized activities in the Buddhist way of life combined with community activities, invited close friends and relatives to join in making merit at their local temples through online media, resulting in community tourism combined with making merit at various temples in Mueang Nakhon Nayok District.