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The legend of Phra Chao Liap Lok
or the legend of
the Buddha’s Journeys is Thai Buddhist folk literature,
particularly in the northern and northeastern regions of
Thailand. In some areas the legend is called “Buddha
Tamnan” or “Buddha Tamnan Phra Chao Liap Lok”.
It is a story of the Buddha’s journeys to Sipsong Panna,
Lanna, Lan Chang and Thailand’s northeastern region.
The legend explains the geography, history and culture
of various communities and ethnic groups along the
route the Buddha took in his journeys to disseminate
his teachings. The legend says that he gave some of his
hair to various communities and left the footprints in
places he visited. The creation of structures containing
the Buddha’s relics and footprints in these places
sprang from the legend.
The legend of the Buddha’s Journeys records
the local history of communities and the history
of the adoption of Buddhism in regions in South
East Asia, particularly in the 21st Buddhist century.
It is told through the records of the Buddha’s
journeys, which turned the places where he visited
into sacred places of pilgrimage. The legend also
explains the origin of geographical names and
descr ibes the people’s way of l i fe and the
ethnic groups in each area. This provides a common
ground among the people of different regions
and areas to feel connected through shared
ideology, belief and faith in Buddhism - in particular
the belief concerning the veneration of the Buddha’s
relics and footprints. The legend also plays a significant
role in providing the model and norm for other areas
and communities in the North and Northeast of
Thailand in their creation of the Buddhist literature
of this particular genre that focuses on the Buddha’s
relics and footprints.
The Legend of Phra Chao Liap Lok