A
Short Introduction
Thailand is one of well
known Buddhist countries in Southeast Asian nations. To Thai people, Buddhism
is their main religion as well as part of their life. They preserve and promote
their religion. With rich of Buddhist cultures and arts, there are many
interesting places including ancient old cities, Buddhist temples, and sites to
see. Among the Buddhist pilgrimage places in Thailand “Phra Patom Chedi” is one
of famous Buddhist site located in Nakhom Pathom province which is considered
the oldest city in Thailand. It is 56 km west of Bangkok. In this paper, I will
talk about Phra Pathom Chedi and its interesting things based on Buddhist art
work.
Historical
Background of Phra Pathom Chedi
When we talk about Thai
Buddhism and its origins through historical development, the location of Phra
Pathom Chedi and the Chedi’s important event is always mentioned.
According to tradition,
Nakhom Pathom was the capital or one of the most important cities of
Suwannabhumi[1]
where Buddhism was introduced by the Theravada missionary monks Sona and Uttara
Theres more than two thousand years ago, and then the land became an active
centre for the propagation of the teachings of the Buddha though long history
of Thailand. Among the different scholars, the location of Suwanabhumi is
unclear answer even today and none one can say that where exactly is Suwannabhumi.
However Nakhom Pathom in Thailand is very important place for Buddhism and archeological
studies because many archeological remains and materials are found such as
stūpa and its foundations, carved stone, bronze sculptures, clay and stucco
artifacts especially concerning with Buddhism or Buddhist art including
Dhammacakra wheel stone, Buddha image, jataka stories, inscription table etc.
It has been studied that the discoveries of various objects in Nakhom Pathom city
area link to Dvaravati civilization known as Mon-Dvaravati or Kingdom which
once reached high power and cultural development and the center of civilization
as well as Buddhism during that time.
It is suggested that generally
Dvaravati period was from 6th century to 11th[2]
centuries AD and according to some source it was 6th -8th
centuries AD[3].
In long history, Dvaravati had very strong connection with India and even its
cultural and belief of influence had been on Dvaravati.
Its wealth of Buddha images, and its
architectural remains evidence the revitalized Dvaravati power that followed
the seventh-century contacts with India.[4]
It is noteworthy that Nakhom Pathom is the
home and the origin of ancient Dvaravati Buddhist art. It was Nakhon Pathom
rather than U Thong, however, that produced the most elaborated art, both
architectural and sculptural.[5]
It should be understood
that like Nakhom Pathom, Khu
Bua and U-Thong in Central Thailand are important sites for Dvaravati art and
architecture. The art objects are belong to Theravada Buddhist, Mahayana
Buddhist and Hindu religious subjects. They all were important
places for Dvaravati art.
Phra
Pathom Chedi
It is said that stupa
named Phra Pathom Chedi which means “the first chedi” related to Sanskrit-Pali
name from Nagara Pathama was built there to commemorate the great
historical
Theravada Buddhist missionary event, the adoption of Buddhism in the country
over 2000 year ago originally after arrival of Theravada Buddhist missionary. Thai
traditions and scholars often mentioned that this great stupa was built in
the third or in the fourth century BC.[6]
But there were no evidence
record to prove about that claim is historical true. It is alleged that the
core of the existing chedi at Nakhom Pathom was established by them, but no
written records have been preserved or found to verify this.[7]
Anyway, it is seen that
the existence of Chedi shows the light and the development of Buddhism there. Regarding
with Phra Pathom Chedi, there was another story that king Phya Pan who killed
his own father and a woman who nurtured him. It was said that after committing
serious sins, the king felt grief and guilt and then he was told to build a
stupa (chedi) that reached the sky as high as a dove flew. Thus the Phra Pathom
Chedi was said to have been built as an atonement to expiate the killing of his
father.[8]
However, Phra Pathom
Chedi was believed to be the oldest stupa in Thailand. It had been many often
rebuilt and restored through past history so its original appearance has been
changed. Neither the Chula Pathon stupa nor the Mahbodhi temple retain its
seventh century appearance, but archaeologists and art historians has
conceptualized their earliest appearance from the archaeological remains.
Originally, both bore a strong resemblance to the corner towers of Nalanda’s
Sariputra stupa. It is impossible to know the design of the original
structure.[9]
Because Phra Pathom
Chedi was left to the jungle many years after Dvaravati kingdom declined, the
Chedi was damaged very badly.
It should be understood
that there are different suggestions concerning with Phra Pathom Chedi’s
original look. On the other hand, archeologists are trying to have
possibility form of original stupa by looking at remaining objects detail.
It is assumed that due
to the fact that the upside down bell shaped and other archeological reminded
objects, the original stupa had a great similarity with the Indian stupa of
Sanci which was built dring the reign of Asoka.[10]
The lower portion of
the Chedi in the form of dome resembled the dome of the great stupa at Sanci. Like
an inverted basin or cup, the dome of the Phra Pathom Chedi had its shapd
circular. A square altar which was crowned with a parasol was placed at the top.
The base which had a circumambient gallery was also square and there was an
enclosure outside.
The Chedi was restored
many time , the present Phra Pathom Chedi was built during the reign of King
Mongkut (Rama IV) in 1853, under his royal command, the Chedi was constructed
to cover the former Chedi of which the shape was of an upside down bell shape
with a Prang top, which reflects the Khmer style. But the first construction
was unable to complete it and it collapsed after a heavy rainstorm. The
construction of the new huge Chedi was completed in the reign of his son King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1870 AD. Nakhom Pathom is famed for its Phra
Pathom Chedi, a colossal stupa 417 feet (127 meters) high, the world’s tallest
Buddhist monument, built over very old core stupa that local people believe
contains relics of the Buddha given by King Asoka’s missionaries.[11]
In addition, four
chapels were built at the cardinal points to keep a Buddha image in a different
style. Also at the southern side, a small replica of the original monument with
Khmer style prang was built. We can say that present Chedi’s appearance is new
form which probably looks Sri Lanka style.
Because of its size,
engineers had to build a slight slope into the rising walls to support the
weight, and beneath it all are support beams linked with a giant iron chain to
help spread the load evenly in all directions.
The completed Chedi is
a circular one that features an upside down bell shape Chedi (Lankan style).
It is believed that Buddha’s relics were in side of Chedi, this is one of
reasons why so many Thai Buddhists go to there and the popular of Chedi. This
is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Thailand, and it houses a museum
where archaeological collections artifacts or finding from around the region of
Nakhom Pathom were kept.
Buddha
images in Phra Pathom Chedi
This Buddha image with a peaceful
face and smile was built during the Dvaravati Period. It was made with white
stone. This Buddha image was originally revered placed at Wat Phra Men in
Nakhon Pathom far tow kilometers east of the Chedi. And then the image was
moved to current place of Chedi.
The image shows Buddha sitting in
the “European” or Majesty manner with feet resting on a footstool in the shape
of an open lotus. The Buddha’s left hand rests on the left with the palm
turning upwards, while right hand is raised to the level of the chest with palm
turning outwards, the tips of the thumb and index finger touch the other three fingers
extend outward.
The style of this image can be
called as attitude of blessing. The total high of the statue is 3.76 meters
from head to toe.[12]
It is regarded that this image is
one of the most beautiful and ancient Buddha images ever to have been
discovered in Thailand.
Originally this image
was found in the ancient capital of Suwnakhalok (Si Satchanalai) in 1909 during
the King Vajiravuth, Rama (VI). It was Sukhothai style Buddha image. When the
image was discovered, its head, hands, and feet had been damaged very badly.
And then the image was brought to Bangkok. Under the royal sponsorship, the
damaged image was rebuilt at Wat Po in 1913. On the 2 November 1915, the
completed Buddha image was brought to Phar Pathom Chedi, Nakhom Pathom. For the
Buddha image, the name called Phra Ruang Rochanrit was given by the King.
It is said that the King’s relics or remains are underground
of earth, base of the Buddha image. A lot of people come to worship the Buddha
statue, the image is one of very famous among the Buddha images in Phra Pathom Chedi.
The King’s main purpose for this image is that the Buddha
represents “attitude of forgiveness” or stopping or forbidding the relatives
from fighting and brings peach and good luck to the nation of Thai people. Many
people come to pay respect and worship as it is seen in picture.
The iconography of image abhaya
(fearless), full standing, and right hand is raising as abhaya mudra (fearless)
gesture and it was Sukhothai style because we can see that head and hair style,
especially “flame” on top of head which is influence from Sri Lanka. Also,
standing or walking is one of common forms in Sukhothai period.
This reclining position
Buddha image places on Western side of Phra Pathom Chedi. It was made of brass.
And also this image of one of main Buddha images at Chedi.
This image is Sukhothai
style, open eyes, resting or reclining position and also the image can present
the Buddha’s great passing away. This image was later created during Bangkok
period.
In addition, at the
Phra Pathom Chedi, there are many Buddha images which are representing the life
and events of the Buddha in the circular cloister of the Chedi. There are
around the eighty Buddha images with different position.
Conclusion
It has been founded
that the location of Phra Pathom Chedi was ancient holy city once where
Theravada Buddhism came to as the first place in Thailand. At the same time, as
result of adaption to Buddhism, the Chedi was created there and during that Dvaravati
period the place became important role in religion and culture, Buddhist arts.
Various objects including Dhammacakra wheel stone, Buddhist images and Buddha
images which were found based on archeological studies shows about this.
It is seen that Phra
Pathom Chedi was left and broken badly. It had been changed a lot by rebuilding
many times, even the Chedi’s original look is unclear among the scholars.
Today the Phra Pathom
Chedi is well known Buddhist site where many Buddhist people come to pay
respect and worship the Chedi and for ritual practices and devotion. Also it is
considered that the Buddha’s relic was there. It is very important place in traditionally
and historically for Thai Buddhism and Thai Buddhist people in Thailand.
References
1.
Chicarelli,
Charles F., Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, Silkworm Books, Chiang
Mai,2004
2. Gosling, Betty,
Origins of Thai Art, River Books Co., Ltd, Bangkok, 2004
3. Gestures of the
Buddha, Matics, K.I, Chulalongkorn University Press, Bangkok, 2008
4.
Hazra,
Kanai Lal, Thailand: Political History and Buddhist Cultural Influences,
Decent, New Delhi, 2000
5.
Payutto,
P.A ,Thai Buddhism in Buddhist World , Amarin Printing Group, Bangkok, 1987
6.
Wales
Quaritch, H. G., Dvāravatī: The Earliest Kingdom of Siam (6th to 11th Century
A.D.), London, Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 1969
7.
Photography
by Ashin Nyanika ( on July 22, 2012)
[1]
Payutto, P.A ,Thai Buddhism in Buddhist World , Amarin Printing Group, Bangkok,
1987P-18, & Chicarelli, Charles F.,
Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai,2004,
P-229
[2]
Wales Quaritch, H. G., Dvāravatī: The Earliest Kingdom of Siam (6th to 11th
Century A.D.), London, Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 1969
[3]
Chicarelli, Charles F., Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, Silkworm
Books, Chiang Mai,2004
[4]
Gosling, Betty, Origins of Thai Art, River Books Co., Ltd, Bangkok, 2004, P-65
[5]
Ibid. P-65
[6]
Hazra, Kanai Lal, Thailand: Political History and Buddhist Cultural Influences,
Decent, New Delhi, 2000, P-345
[7]
Gestures of the Buddha, Matics, K.I, Chulalongkorn University Press, Bangkok,
2008,P-196
[8] Ibid. P-196
[9]
Gosling, Betty, Origins of Thai Art, River Books Co., Ltd, Bangkok, 2004, P-65
[10]
Hazra, Kanai Lal, Thailand: Political History and Buddhist Cultural Influences,
Decent, New Delhi, 2000,
P-347
[11]
Chicarelli, Charles F., Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, Silkworm
Books, Chiang Mai, 2004, P-229
[12]
Gestures of the Buddha, Matics, K.I, Chulalongkorn University Press, Bangkok,
2008,P-200
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