Dong Phu Din: The Sacred Narrative and a Social Process on Building a Meaning of Community Rights

Abstract

This article aims to examine the use of the sacred narrative of the guardian spirit  Chao Pho Dong Phu Din and the Phra Lak Phra Lam Jataka as the basis of creating meaning in community rights at Chao Pho Dong Phu Din, Rasi Salai district, Sisaket province, an area where there has been conflict over conservation issues. The study found that the people of this community shared a belief in Chao Pho Dong Phu Din as a guardian spirit, and they related to each other through this shared belief. Using this sacred narrative as a social process in creating meaning regarding community rights, they portrayed the relationship between the community and nature as one of interdependence. Moreover, nature is viewed as the body and soul of the people in the community. The study found that the use of this sacred narrative and the Jataka tale to fight for  community rights  in a conservation area where there has been conflict between the government and the community  has led to the resolution of the problem and  acceptance of the people’s rights by the government.