태국의 금기 연구

Abstract

Thailand is a traditional agricultural country and a Buddhist country as well. Thailand’s taboos reveal the country’s various social and cultural characteristics and make it possible to get a taste of wisdom of life for Thais to live wisely and safely in the living environment that includes climate and geographical features. Thailand’s taboos show that, for Thais, the food, clothing, and shelter culture is closely related to animism thought which is Thailand’s indigenous religion. Food, clothing and shelter are not only the place or space where people eat and dress and sleep but also a space where the human sole or spirit stays. Buddhism is not only the faith that governs Thais’ mental world but also their way of life. When seen from their taboos, the three treasures of Buddhism, i.e. Buddha, the law of Buddha, and Buddhist monks, the disciples of Buddha, are the beings that should be absolutely respected and Buddhism is their religious belief and faith that should continue to exist and be maintained. In Thai culture, a pregnant woman has many restrictions and taboos since she bears a child. Since experiences are regarded as important in the agricultural society, there are many taboos that teach people to respect the elderly and practice filial piety toward their parents. There are also taboos that come into being in relation to the names, meanings, and pronunciations of something that is not desirable or that people want to avoid. Nowadays as Thai society has developed from agricultural society to industrialized society, Thailand’s life and culture have much changed. However, even though times have changed, the taboos that their ancestors made have not changed because the taboos are not superstitious products based simply on human ignorance or foolishness but are wisdom and way of life which give the value of community in the society in which Thais are living and which maintains their own order.