คติพระธาตุเจดีย์ในดินแดนล้านนา

Abstract

Lanna or the upper northern part of Thailand is known as the land of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism was spread to settle in theHariphunchai around 13-14 B.C. Moreover, Langka WongBuddism was spread and become established in the early of 20 B.C. For this reason, Chiang Mai is the center of Buddhism in Lanna Kingdom and nearby area. Consequently, many important Buddhist pagodas containing relics are found in this region. This article is the research resulthas illustrated that there are three principles of building Buddha Relics Pagoda in Lanna 1) The main principle is that the important pagodas are located in the city. This is evident as it was shown for the fi rst time in Hariphunchai era.The culture was infl uenced by the culture of Dvaravatiwhich was located in Chao Phraya River Basin. The principles led to the appearance of Buddha Relics pagodas in diff erent cities in the Hariphunchai era such as Phra That Wat Chomphu or Phra That Don Tao in Khelangnakorn, Lampang Province, Phra That LampangLuang, Lampang Province and Phra That Ming MueangWorawihan, Phrae Province. Additionally, there were Buddha Relics pagodas in diff erent cities in the Lanna era such as Phra That Pong Sanuk or Phra That Sri Jomkai in Lampang Province, Wat Phra That Chang Kham in Nan Province, Phra That DoiJom Thong, Wat Doi Thong, Chiang Rai, and Phra That Luang or Wat Luang in Chiang San. 2) The principles of PhraMahathat in the cities. It is the principle which believes that the pagoda is the center of the city or universe. This belief started from around 16-17 B.C. especially in the area of Chao Phraya River Basin in the central part of Thailand. It is called “Wat PrasriRatanaMahadhat” or “Wat Mahathat.” The principle of PhraMahathat situated in the middle of the city appeared for the fi rst time in earlyera, in 20 B.C. It took the form of PhraBorromThat Wat SuanDok, Chiang Mai and Phra That ChediLuang in the center of Chiang Mai Province. 3) The Principle to build the Buddha Relics pagoda on the top of the hillstems from the culture and belief system of Mon or Burmese. A monk known as PhraSumon Tera who studied Langka Wong Buddism in Meuang Pan or Mottama brought this principle to the region. Phra That DoiSuthep in Chaing Mai fi rst appeared. Shortly afterwards, it became the model of many well-known Buddha Relics pagoda on top of the hills in Lanna such as Phra That ChomKitti in Chiang San, Phra That Jom Thong in Phayao, Phra That DoiNoi in Nan, Phra That Cho Hae in Phrae, Phra That Mon PhraChae in Lampang, and Phra That Kong Moo in Mae Hong Son. This also included Buddha Relics pagodas in small villages and cities in the upper north region of Thailand. There arenow approximately 66 pagodas on top of hills in this region.