สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 89 Pathom Hongsuwan to the rulers. The sacredness of the image brings peace, fruitfulness, and efficiently keeps the monarchy institution stable. This can be interestingly considered as the political strategy executed through the çidentity of Buddha imageé. Meaning of Main Symbols in the Buddha Image Myths of Lanna Buddha-image myth is a narrative on the history and all the phenomena related to Buddha images. Buddhists in different areas have the narratives constructed from their imagination through their faith in the Buddha (Paramin Jaruwan, 2006: 202). Some are about the history. Some are about the miracles. Some are about the unique characteristics of the Buddha images in each area. The meaning of the Buddha-image symbol signified by its postures The researcher has found that most of the Buddha-image myths in Lanna reflect the Buddhaûs behavioral expression of Lanna cultural thinking system. The Buddha image in a sitting posture is not only related to the Buddha history as in the Buddhist principal concept; but also signifies the relation agreeable among the soil, the water, and the fruitfulness. The Buddha image in standing posture indicates the link of the situation and the phenomenon occurred when the Lord Buddha was coming to the land of Lanna. The standing posture also signifies the belief related to the fertility of water as most images in the posture are giving the gesture of observation and looking at the places and the environments including the forecast on the well-being of that place ( μ”π“πæ√–∏“μÿ ®Õ¡·®â ß › a relic myth of Chom Jang). Other postures like walking and sitting do not only signify the thought of making known the Buddhism from India or Lanka; but also indicate the importance of Lanna as one of the sacred lands where the Lord Buddha traditionally came so that the people in that place would have a chance in making a holy merit by offering food to the Lord. The meaning of the Buddhaûs walking in Buddha-image myths signifies through an interesting dimension the link among the people, the society, and the unique of local Lanna. The Buddhaûs eating is another meaningful behavior that is always found in Lanna Buddha myths. The Buddhaûs eating or having food is considered a part of the monk practice. Lanna people viewed that the Buddha came to give all creatures the Dhamma instructions, and the Buddhaûs visit is not a coincidence but it is a consequence from the good deed of all creatures; it is a ç Bun Nun Nam é ( ∫ÿ ≠Àπÿ ππ” ): good deed brings all good things. Based on the 86-97_mac9 4/26/12, 9:08 PM 89