Worshipping Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok ชื่อเรียกอื่น : เดือนที่จัดงาน : March เวลาทางจันทรคติ : วันขึ้น 11 ค่ำ – วันขึ้น 15 ค่ำ เดือน 4 สถานที่ : : Northeast ภาค / จังหวัด : Udon Thani ประเภท : calendrical rites,festive rites/rites for social auspiciousness ประเพณีที่เกี่ยวข้อง : คำสำคัญ : Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok, Wat Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok, Phaya Milinthanak, Phu Phrabat ผู้เขียน : Thirawat Seankham and Krairerk Silakom วันที่เผยแพร่ : 1 May 2017 วันที่อัพเดท : 11 Oct 2018

คำอธิบายประเพณี

Worshipping Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok, Ban Phue District,

โดย Thirawat Seankham and Krairerk Silakom | 22 Mar 2017 Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok is a replica of the Buddha’s Footprint relic at Wat Phra Phutthabat, located on the slope of Phu Phrabat Mountain in Ban Tiew village, Mueang Pan Subdistrict, Ban Phue District in Udon Thani Province. The asphalt road leading to the temple is about 14 kilometers long from the district town. The temple is to the left of the junction and before the Phu Phrabat Historical Park, and is considered a famous cultural tourist attraction of Ban Phue district and of the Province. The location is actually within the Historical Park. It is an important ancient site that through many long years had been made use of as a religious place and a center of beliefs since the prehistoric time, the Dvaravati time, and the times of the Khmer and the Lan Chang civilizations.

“Bua bok” (Asiatic pennywort) grows in shady and moist forests. The plant has thick roots and green round leaves, similar to lotus leaves. Local people call it “phak nog.” Bua bok was abound in the area where the relic footprint was first found, hence the name Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok. Another possible explanation about the name could be that it derived from “bo bok,” meaning “not arid.” The footprint, when first discovered looked like a sinkhole in the rock, measuring 1.93 x .90 meters. At one time a mondop, or square-based chedi, had been built over it. Then around 1922 a monk Phra Ajarn Sittat Suwanmajo had the mondop removed and constructed a new relic chedi there instead. He also put a footprint replica on top of the original one. Inside the relic chedi, some Buddha’s remains were enshrined. The new chedi has a square lotus shape similar to that of the famous Phra That Phanom. To venerate the relic, a fair or celebration is held every year.

Regarding the history of Wat Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok, legend has it that during the time the Lord Buddha was going to places to propagate Buddhism in order to ease the sufferings of mankind, he one day came to stay in Doi Nantadanghi, a mountain in Luang Prabang region. He was informed that some naga/big snakes living in the Mekhong River were malicious and dangerous to man and animals. To help those in trouble, the Buddha went to Nong Bua Ban Cave and Bua Bok Cave where the two important naga dwelled. The two naga were Kutthopapanak and Milintanak. The Buddha expounded Buddhism to the naga. Kutthopananak soon declared itself to be a disciple and adopted Buddhism as its belief.

Realizing that the younger brother naga Milintanak had not yet seen the light, therefore was not leading a good life, the older brother sought the Buddha’s help. The Lord Buddha then visited Milinthanak in the Tum Bua Bok cave. Untamed, the naga showed his might and tried to hurt the Buddha. But his efforts were in vain. So he turned himself into a man. He went up to the Buddha and apologized for his past wrongdoings. The Lord Buddha was kind to teach him dharma. So one more naga repented his sins, and asked to become ordained as a monk. This would have been impossible according to the Buddhist code. The Buddha, nevertheless, decided to give to the converted naga the Triple Gems to be his moral sustenance. Since that time the naga’s life was changed, and he helped, not hurt, other living things including humans, following the teachings of Buddhism.

After adopting Buddhism and the Triple Gems, Milinthanak pleaded with the Buddha to leave a footprint for him to venerate before the Buddha went back to his abode at Phra Chetawan Mahawiharn. The footprint was named Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok, following the name of the naga’s cave. Closeby, there was another Phaya Nak Cave, also the dwelling place of the naga. It looked like a large hollow under a big rock. At the end of the cave tunnel, it was believed that there was an opening into the Mekhong River. The holy footprint for over 2,000 years was left there. Some restorations could have been done but there hardly had been any evidence left. The most recent repair was around 1919, done by a pilgrim monk group from Tha U-thane District of Nakhon Phanom Province. Phra Ajarn Si That was the leader of the group. During the pilgrimage, the group was searching for this footprint by following the information given by some locals. The search brought them to the footprint. So together with local believers, they constructed a chedi over the sacred relic. It was not an easy task. Construction materials were transported from faraway sources in and Laos. There were no good roads then, the feat therefore took as long as 14 years. The success was solely due to the strong faith and determination of all parties involved.

A number of ancient structures and religious places dot the grounds of Wat Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok:

1. The Phrathat Chedi over the enshrined footprint relic. The shape of the chedi balances a dome on its high, 2-stepped square base. Higher up are a block, lotus-shaped bell, and at the top a similar smaller lotus. The chedi has only one entrance at the east side. The center base is a solid structure. The other entrances are fake ones.

2. Inside the central part of the chedi are enshrined a sitting Buddha image and those of the Buddha’s disciples. In front of the image lies the footprint replica which had been fabricated and put on top of the original footprint.

3. Phaya Nak Cave. The cave is believed to be the dwelling of Milinthanak who had asked for the footprint from the Lord Buddha, according to legend. This rock cave has a hollow opening and a deep pit inside.

4. A rock shelter. Here a reclining Buddha image is enshrined.

5. A relic chedi. Kept inside are the remains of the former abbot and bones of the cattle which had provided labor in transporting things and construction materials to build the Relic Chedi covering the Bua Bok Footprint.

6. A mondop. The structure stands close to the Phrathat Chedi of Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok. Enshrined inside is a seated Buddha image protected by the 7-headed naga.

7. Thum (Cave) Than Po Rusi Suriyan-chanthra. Than Po Rusi was the god who created the Legend of Nang Usa-Thao Barot.

8. A Buddha image in the posture of Disclosing the Three Worlds

9. The tiered-castle dwelling of Milinthanak

The veneration of Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok is a time-honored event, staged annually during waxing 11th – 15th in the 4th month by the temple together with the community. The celebration is believed to have been initiated after the completion of the Phrathat Chedi, the mission undertaken by Phra Ajarn Sithat Suwanmajo. So it was meant to celebrate this important religious structure. In the past, the tradition was observed during the waxing 11th – 15th of the 3rd month. But it turned out to be an inconvenient time as it was still in the planting season. So then it was moved to the 4th month instead.

Generally the Footprint worshipping fair was held at the same time as the annual fair of Luang Po Ong Tue. Luang Po is a very important image in Ban Nam Mong village of , . Village folks from Udon Thani and Nong Khai would come to both fairs. They would make the trips on foot as there were no good roads. They also believed that the trekking would earn them more merit. At None Sao Eh they would take a break before continuing up the mountain to worship the Footprint. Those coming from far would need to stay overnight at Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok. So some kinds of entertainment were provided for them including the mor lam (traditional Isan music and singing). In 2017, there were less entertainment activities as the focus was more on the devotional, ritualistic practices.

Believers from nearby villages came and joined those living in the foothill area. They helped in the preparation for the fair. They cleaned up the ritual spot, set up offering tables (meant to worship the Footprint angels and naga), and keep vigil at the Footprint. The offerings consisted of bai si trays, sweetmeats and fruit, and the following ritualistic items:

1. black rice

2. red rice

3. 1,000 lumps of rice

4. rice of 7 different colors

5. tidbits wrapped in leaves

6. areca nuts and betels

7. boiled eggs

8. 9 kinds of fruit, or as deemed appropriate

9. bai si trays

10. poped rice and flowers

The offerings were put at different spots including at the Phrathat Chedi, the Buddha image in the posture of Disclosing the Three Worlds, the Phaya Nak Cave. The decorations of these spots were done by the devotees. All the sacrificial things were to remain there until the fair ended. The largest table was put at the Phaya Nak Cave. Worshippers could also contribute with their own sets of offerings consisting of drinking water, eggs, rice grains, raw banana, betel and areca nuts, cigarettes, candles and incense sticks.

A popular religious activity during these 5 days and nights of the fair was for some women to be ordained as nuns, in order to earn special merit. There were prayer sessions every night. Other believers venerated the Footprint with fresh flowers, candles and incense. The biggest rites were on waxing 14th – one in front of the Phaya Nak Cave, and the other in front of the Phrathat. Next was the rite of informing the guardian angels, the naga and all other sacred beings. This was followed by a dance, again a type of worshipping. Lastly, they presented the offerings to the Phrathat and the Footprint. On the last day, waxing 15th, there was a prayer chanting session by the monks. The devotees, lastly, did the wian tian or walking 3 rounds around the Phra That with lit candles, incense sticks and flowers in their hands.

พิกัดภูมิศาสตร์

Latitude = 17.72111 Longitude = 102.36025

: Rituals, Ceremonies and Local Festivals in Thailand Database