การมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชนในการอนุรักษ์ประเพณีการฟังเทศน์มหาชาติ ของวัดในอำเภอโพธาราม จังหวัดราชบุรี

        The objectives of this research were: (1) to study the level of public participation in preserving the tradition of Mahajati Preaching of temples at Photharam District in Ratchaburi Province; (2) to compare the level of public participationin preserving the tradition of Mahajati Preaching of temples at Photharam District in Ratchaburi Province, classified by personal factors; and (3) to study the problems, obstacles, and suggestions regarding public participation in preserving the tradition of Mahajati Preaching of temples in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. For the quantitative research, data were collected via questionnaires from 385 residents in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using F-test (One-way Analysis of Variance: ANOVA). For the qualitative research, the study used documentary analysis and interviews with 9 key informants. The data were analyzed using contextual content analysis.

The findings of the research were as follows:

        1. The overall level of public participation in preserving the tradition of Mahajati Preaching of temples at Photharam District in Ratchaburi Province, was found to be at a high level (QUOTE = 3.62). When considering each aspect individually, the area with the highest mean was study, inquiry, and research, which was at a high level (QUOTE = 3.76). This was followed by creating attitudes, knowledge, and understanding of the tradition, which was at a high level (QUOTE = 3.66). The aspect with the lowest mean was developing an information technology network for tradition preservation, which was at a moderate level (QUOTE = 3.49).

        2. The comparison of public participation in preserving the tradition of Mahajati Preaching of temples at Photharam District in Ratchaburi Province, classified by personal factors, revealed that people with different ages, levels of general education, occupations, and monthly incomes showed no significant difference. However, people with different genders showed a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level.

      3. Problems and obstacles, it was found that the majority of the public lacks participation in developing educational curricula for youth to understand the value and importance of the tradition. Furthermore, there is a lack of involvement in encouraging the younger generation to take an interest in the tradition for future generations. Suggestions included: supporting and promoting educational programs for youth, along with encouraging the younger generation to actively participate in preserving and sustaining the community's tradition.