สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

92 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 92 The Buddha Images: Faith of Lanna, Intellectual Power of the Beliefs and Relationship with the Northern Communities ancient time. One of the outstanding Buddha images is ç Phra Chao Kha king Mungrai é ( æ√–‡®â “§à “§‘ ß¡— ß√“¬ ) which interestingly expresses Lanna thought of the relationship system between the ruler and the Buddha images. Other important function and supernatural power of the Buddha image are the perception of the image as a place for containing the Lord Buddhaûs relic and for covering a Buddhaûs footprint which is considered as a significant symbol of Buddhism. This is regarded as the emphasis of the higher sacredness of that Buddha image. From Lanna viewpoint, the contained relic functions as a ç mind é to fulfill the Buddha image for completion. This is agreeable to the Lanna belief in ç Khwan é ( ¢«— ≠ ) which is another form of mind residing in a humanûs body (Prakong Nimmanhemin, 1999: 2). Lanna people view that the Buddha images are alive so fulfilling the relic is like completing the power of life and mind into the image. Furthermore, footprints are meaningful as a place for containing water which is significantly linked to the fruitfulness. This is related to the imagesû functions which are mostly about the role as ç Phra Bandan Nam Bandan Phon é ( æ√–∫— π¥“≈πÈ ”∫— π¥“≈Ωπ ) or a god of rain who is believed powerful in giving rain for fruitfulness. The god is like the person who controls the major energy source of Lanna life since the Buddha image is locally addressed with the names in relation to water; for example, Phra Chao Phon Saen Ha ( æ√–‡®â “Ωπ· πÀà “ : god of ten-thousand rains), Phra Chao Sai Phon ( æ√–‡®â “ “¬Ωπ : god of falling rain ), and Phra Chao Phon ( æ√–‡®â “Ωπ : god of rain). The images are also perceived as ç Phra Borkhet lae payakorn é æ√–∫Õ°‡Àμÿ ·≈–欓°√≥ å : god of prognostication). It is believed that the Buddha image is a sacred object which can give prognostication for people and city. The meaning of the Buddha-image symbol signified by its history, Sla ( ≈à “ : constructor), and designation According to most Lanna Buddha myths, the history of Buddha images is not only from India and Sri Lanka; but is also originated at the place where it was found that it is the community located in Lanna land. The richness of Buddha images in Lanna land can be witnessed everywhere: in a mountain, in a jungle, in a field, in a small community, or in a river source ( μ”π“πæ√–‡®â “¥Õ¬®â Õß ‡™’ ¬ß√“¬ - a myth Buddha images, Chiangrai province). This reflects the thought of spiritual area among Lanna people about the richness and the stability of Buddhism since the ancient Lanna time. The concept of Sla ( ≈à “ : constructor) who constructs 86-97_mac9 4/26/12, 9:08 PM 92