HOLY INCORRUPIBLE BODY AND BONE RELICS OF FEMALE BUDDHIST MONKS-CASE OF PILGRIMAGE AND WORSHIPING TOURISM IN THAILAND

Abstract

The belief in arhant is deeply rooted in tropical Indochina where Buddhism is the main religious. Similar to Christian and Hinduism, the worshiping of arhant as saint or god can be seen in this area. The specific worshipping of holy incorruptible body and bone relics is generally seen. However, it is extremely rare to see the worshipping of holy incorruptible body and bone relics of female Buddhist monk. Here, the authors present and discuss on worshipping of holy incorruptible body and bone relics of female Buddhist monk which is an extremely rare phenomenon in Thailand where the female Buddhist monk is presently not legally acceptable. The holy sites holding incorruptible body and bone relics of female Buddhist monk become the famous tourist attractions of Thailand at present.