สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

86 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 86 The Buddha Images: Faith of Lanna, Intellectual Power of the Beliefs and Relationship with the Northern Communities The Buddha Images : Faith of Lanna, Intellectual Power of the Beliefs and Relationship with the Northern Communities Pathom Hongsuwan Assistant Professor, Department of Thai and Oriental Languages, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahasarakham University. Abstract This research aims at studying the Lanna myths of the Buddhaûs images in Lanna local to analyze the meaning and main symbols and relationship with social structure of Lanna local, to analyze function of the Lanna myths of the Buddhaûs image as data of important intellectuals with the way of life, folk and cultural society. In this research paper, by comparing the meaning of symbols of the myths, both main functions and situation, four myth paradigms; first, the symbol meaning of behavior; second, the symbol meaning of body movements; third, the symbol meaning of supernatural powers; and forth, the symbol meaning of the origin, a builder and nicknames. Moreover, in analyzing the values and power of the myths of the Buddha image also reflects the Lanna communities by comparing and contrasting the detail in the aspects concerning the ethnic identity, custom practice, relation of religious belief and gender relation; the myths also reflects the sacred narratives, such transformation symbolizes the development of the religious beliefs in the Lanna local societies. Key words : Buddha images, intellectual power of the belief Introduction The belief in the Buddha image which is referred to as çGodé in Lanna culture can be considered as the wisdom heritage that has been passed on to the community. This reflects that Lanna ancestors have created the wisdom that is based on the culture root in close relation to the structures of society, economy, and politics from the past to the present (Udom Rungriansri, 1990: 848). The folk 86-97_mac9 4/26/12, 9:08 PM 86