This thesis has 3 objectives : (1) to study the belief in gods in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, (2) to study the concept of ethical benefits according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy, and (3) to analyze the concept of ethical benefits of belief in gods in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. This research is a qualitative study. The conclusion of research findings are as follows:

1A god according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy is a being which is subject to birth, old age, sickness, and death like other beings in the universe. They have done good deeds such as making offerings (Dāna), keeping precepts (Sīla), practicing meditation (Bhāvanā), have moral shame, and fear of wrongdoing, practice seven principles of conduct, four accomplishment of persistent effort (Sampadā), practice recollection of deities (Devatānusati) regularly, and when they die they go to heavenly realms and take pleasure in the heavenly realms having celestial age, celestial skin, and celestial happiness until the end of life.

2)The three kinds of ethical benefits in Theravada Buddhist philosophy are: 1.benefits in this life; present happiness. 2.benefits in the next life; to be born as a human being, deities (Devas) or Brahmās of different realms, 3.The greatest benefits which are attaining the path and fruit of Nibbana.

3.The belief in gods in Theravada Buddhist philosophy have 3 kinds of benefits: 1.Benefits in this life: 1.1 self-benefit, the one who practices Dhamma of deities, having Hiri-Ottappa (moral shame and fear of wrongdoing), three kinds of meritorious action, seven principles of conduct, and recollection of deities (Devatānusati) regularly, would not do evil physically, verbally and mentally. Thus, they have no sufferings, no trouble from evil kamma, experiences only happiness and peacefulness. 1.2 Public benefits having good tradition such as; tree ordination ceremony in the forest to maintain it and keep them from being cut due to the fear of being punished by the Tree-spirit (Rukkhadevatā), making them the abundant forest. Loy Krathong festival, to apologize the Mother River, building awareness in conserving the river, using water sufficiently, not throwing the garbage into the river etc. 2.Benefits in next life; one with the dhamma of deities (Devadhaṃma) has shame and fear of wrongdoing, conduct honesty, when they leave this world to next world they leave peacefully. Born at the heavenly realms as the Buddha’s word “Ciṭte Asankilitthe Sugati Patikankha” which means when the mind is undefiled, a happy destination can be expected. 3. The greatest benefits are the path and the fruit of Nibbana. The attainment must be practiced only by oneself, but some have limited potential who must rely on spiritual friend to benefit and point out the way to help raise the ethical level higher as the base of upgrading from mundane to supramundane dhamma as the path and fruit of Nibbana further.

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