สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 91 Pathom Hongsuwan especially, Indra ( æ√–Õ‘ π∑√ å ). In addition, the imagesû faces are also presented in the form of womanûs face. This characteristic reflects the combination of gender: male and female, into the Buddha imagesû faces. This is a very interesting thinking of Lanna people in refusing the idea of gender differentiation. Besides, the story of the imagesû eyes is communicative to the local thought. According to many studies of Lanna Buddhaûs images, there were different descriptions on the Buddhism principal concept of the imagesû eyes; especially, the green color. Green is a color that refers to the king of Naga, the creator of a green emerald ( μ”π“πæ√–‡®â “쓇¢’ ¬« ≈”æŸ π -a myth of the green eyes, Lamphun province). This implies to the supernatural power being a safeguard for Buddhists. The green eye is considered a symbol of a great guard, a symbol of hospitality. It is like a çwishing crystalé (·°â « “√æ— ¥π÷ ° ) for the local people when they are in troubles and feel insecure. The bodies of the Buddha images explained in different myths reflect the great supernatural power of the Lord Buddha. The large-bodied size of the image is a symbol which is related to Lanna thought of addressing the Buddha image, ç Phra Chao Ton Luang é (æ√–‡®â “μπÀ≈«ß ) which means the large-bodied god. The large-bodied size is like the center of the universe which is regarded as çSao Phra Ming Muang, Phra Mai Muangé ( ‡ “æ√–¡‘Ë ß‡¡◊ Õß, æ√–À¡“¬‡¡◊ Õß ) or a sacred city pillar of luck bringing peace and happiness to the town. The feet of the Buddhaûs images also reflect the relation to the local culture. The footprints of the Lord Buddha in Lanna land were for the local beings: both human and non-human. This phenomenon indicates the acceptance and the respect to Buddhism by all kinds of beings with no discrimination. The high number of footprints evidence that Lanna is a sacred land of çMuang Buddhaé (‡¡◊ Õßæÿ ∑∏) or a city of Buddhists which is marked by the Buddhaûs traces which are found every where: on tops of the mountains, in the jungles, in the fields, or in the river. The meaning of the Buddha-image symbol signified by its functions and supernatural power Lanna Buddha myths give some clues that Lanna people view that Buddha image represents ç Phra Ming Muang/Phra Mai Muang é ( æ√–¡‘Ë ß‡¡◊ Õß/ æ√–À¡“¬‡¡◊ Õß ) which is a community spiritual center that is powerful like a guardian god (Suraphon Domrikun, 2006: 143). Moreover, the images are also related to the rulers or royal family as evidenced by the Buddha image which had been traditionally constructed as a guardian god for each ruler of Lanna since the 86-97_mac9 4/26/12, 9:08 PM 91