Ganesha: The Concepts, Developments and Evolution on Integrated Faith in Thai Society

Abstract

Purpose of study: The proposed research aims to investigate the concepts, development and evolution of Ganesh on integrated faith in Thai society. It involved the study of documents from primary and secondary data.  The research also examines changes in view of people both monks and lays, regarding the belief in Ganesh.  This study will examine the impact of images/statute/temples of Ganesh on the faith of people in Thai Society. Methodology: A mixed design was employed (quantitative and qualitative) 400 questionnaires were collected from the people visiting Lord Ganesh Temple. 20 people were interviewed for the expert advices and opinion. 10 people from Wat Samanrattanaram and 10 people from Ganesh park, Chachoengsao Province. The data was analyzed by Mean and Standard Deviation and presented in tabular form. Result: A significant effect of new information about how the concepts develop and evolve about Lord Ganesh on the integrated faith of people in Thai Society. Several significant correlations were detected. Discussion: The impact of new information was not as large as expected. The result suggested a mixed response, that the respect toward the images/statute/temple of Lord Ganesh comes from either following high rank people, leader, etc. or it comes from history itself. This may be related to methodological issues but consideration is given to other explanations. Finding were discussed in relation to previous research along with the review of the strength and limitation of the study. Further directions for future research are also suggested.