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The myth of Phra Chao Ha Phra Ong
-
the
myth of the Five Buddhas - is a folk narrative that is
widespread in all regions of Thailand. The title of
the story is different in some regions. In the North
of Thailand, it is called by a different name such as
“Tamnan Phraya Ka Phueak”, “Anisong Phang Prathip”,
“Mae Ka Phueak”, “Phra Chao Ha Ton”, “Tamnan Wiang
Kalong”, and“TamnanDoi Singkhuttara.” In theNortheast,
it is called “Ka Phueak” in some areas and “Tamnan
Phra That Choeng Chum” in some others. In some
areas in the central region, it is called “Ka Khao”, “TonHet
Loi Kra-thong”, and “Pancha Phuttha Phayakon”,
while in some areas in the South, it is called “Phra
Poramat” or “Phra Chao Sam Nen”, for example.
The myth explains the origin of the five Buddhas
who lived and will be born in the Phatthara Kap - the
present aeon. In the past epochs of this aeon, there
were three Buddhas, namely Phra Kukku Santha, Phra
Kona-khom, and Phra Katsappa ; in the present epoch,
the Gotama; and in the coming epoch, there will be
Phra Sri Ariya Mettraiya, the last Buddha of this aeon.
Themythof the FiveBuddhas traces back to theorigin
of the five Buddhas to the time before their reincarnation
as the Buddhas -- when they were siblings, born of
analbino crow. The albino crow laid five eggs in her nest
on a big tree. A stormblewaway the nest and the five eggs
fell down from the tree and were carried away by the
flood. The albino crow thought that her children died,
and she wilted away and died with a broken
The Myth of Phra Chao Ha Phra Ong
heart. She became Thao Phaka Phrom in heaven.
The five eggs were picked up by different kinds
of female animals: a hen, a naga, a turtle, a cow,
and a singha. When the eggs hatched, five infants
emerged from them. The infants, all boys, grew up
and later became rishis (sages) and lived in the forest.
Indra, the Lord of Heaven, was concerned and sent
Vishvakarma to build ashrams (hermitages, retreats) for
the five rishis. One day the five rishis came upon one
another and found out that they were siblings. They
then thought of their mother - the albino crow and
wished to see her again. Thao Phaka Phrom therefore
descended from heaven and told them to make a
cotton wick in the shape of a crow’s claw, put it in an
oil lamp or Phang, and light it to pay homage to their
mother, who would be blessed by their gratefulness.
The myth of the Five Buddhas was created
in the Thai culture in an attempt to link the five
Buddhas together as siblings. The myth played
a role in the belief system of the Buddhist Thai
for a long time. It justifies several rituals and
festivals, such as Lai Ruea Fai festival, Yi Peng festival,
Tai Pra-thip festival, and Than Tung festival. It also plays
a political role since it was referred to in the Kotmai Tra
Sam Duang (The Three Seals Code). It has also inspired
artistic creations such as those works of art or poetry
that refer to the coming epoch of Phra Sri Ariya Mettrai.