NAGA: A MEDIUM OF FAITH IN CONTEMPORARY BUDDHISM

Abstract

This academic article aims to examine the role and significance of the Naga as a medium of faith in contemporary Buddhism. The study employs documentary analysis of Buddhist canonical sources, including the Tipitaka, commentaries (Atthakatha), and relevant scholarly works, alongside an examination of belief phenomena and religious practices in contemporary Thai society. The findings reveal that the Naga is not merely a mythical creature or a folkloric symbol; rather, it functions as a religious symbol that connects the community’s world of belief with Buddhist doctrinal principles. Consequently, the Naga plays a significant role in sustaining faith, reinforcing Buddhist cultural identity, and serving as one of the mechanisms for the transmission and continuity of Buddhism within the context of contemporary society.