Khao Khiri Wongkot Climbing: Buddhist Way with Villager’s way of Preserving Community Forests of Buddhists in Thungmon Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province

Abstract

The objectives of this article were to 1) study the history of the tradition of Khao Khiri Wongkot climbing, 2) study the way of life of Buddhists in Thungmon sub-district, Prasat district, Surin province, and 3) analyze the conservation as depicted in Thungmon sub-district, Prasat district Surin province. The documentaries studies and in-depth interviews were used. Documentary studies and field interviews were performed and then presented using analytical descriptions. The results showed that 1) The history of the Khao Khiri Wongkot climbing began 2500 B.E. by Luangpur Rim Ratanamuni, who did Khiri Wongkot community forest by replicating Khao Khiri Wongkot, which was the story of Vessantara Jataka, made a complicated path to walk and meditate. 2) The way of life of Buddhists in the Thungmon Sub-district was all Buddhist. It had the traditional trust, especially in the sacred, such as Paying homage to Grandfather's Shrine to wish for auspiciousness, rice harvesting ceremony, and reservation ceremony (Cuff binding). There were folk cultural perform such as Kantrim, Rum Anre, Ja Riang, and Folk Ligase (Li Khe). 3) There were three aspects of community-led forest conservation through the Khiri Wong Kot tradition as follows: (1) community consciousness,
(2) conservation of natural resources, and (3) the restoration side continues the Tradition of Khao Khiri Wongkot With the gratitude and gratitude of Luangpur Rim Ratanamuni. At present, Thung Mon Subdistrict Administrative Organization is the cooperative agency for all organizations to integrate this tradition into an integrated learning center and to continue the beautiful traditions.