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Abstract
This dissertation is of 3 objectives, namely:- (1) to study the concept of “astronomy” in Buddhism; (2) to study the concept of astronomy in Thai societies; and (3) to analyze the patterns of the application of the concept of astronomy in Buddhism to develop the quality of life in the present societies.
This research is a qualitative one with the documentations, the description and the analysis based on the (Tipiµaka), the commentaries, the sub-commentaries and the related research including the interview with the experts concerned.
The results of study are as follows: the concept of astronomy in Buddhism based on the the Pali Canon (Tipiµaka), the commentaries and the sub-commentaries is of the following 4 categories: 1) the planets such as Venus, 2) the stars i.e. 27 constellations., Rohini etc. 3) the extra stars or planets viz. the related objects in the sky viz. the meteorite and the comet. 4) the extra stars is the Zodiacs such as aries.
The concept of astronomy in Thai societies is of the development of 4 paradigmatic ages:- 1) the paradigm of astronomy with Buddhism as a mainstream i.e. Sukhothai period, 2) the paradigm of astronomy with the mixture of Buddhism and Brāhmanism as mainstream i.e. Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin Period, 3) the paradigm of astronomy with the commencement of Western modern science as a mainstream i.e. from the reign of King Rama 4, 4) paradigm of astronomy with Western modern science as mainstream i.e. from the reign of the present King Rama 9. This categorization is based on the age of Thai governance.
The application patterns for the development of life quality in the present society are divided into 4 aspect: 1) physical development i.e. the use of star light for particular purpose such as killing virus or parasite, 2) mental development i.e. the use of stars and reflection of planet as instrument object for meditation practice, 3) social development i.e. the use of stats for the exposition of social phenomena and social organisation such as festive days of the season, and 4) attitude development i.e. the us of star for the purpose of human relationship and wisdom awakening.
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