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70
The Legend of Phra Phuttha Sihing
The legend of Phra Phuttha Sihing
or Sihingkha-
nithan – the legendof the Sihing Buddha image- describes
the history of the Sihing Buddha image, how it was built
and its relocation since it is an important Buddha image in
Thailand. The Venerable Phra Pho-thi Rangsi of
Chiang Mai recorded the history of this Buddha image
in Pali language during 1417 AD. He described the
history of the Buddha image up to 1411 AD. HRH Prince
Damrong Rajanubhab added the later history to the
record.The legend was later edited for an abridged
version by Luang Boribanburi-phan, with additional
archeological commentary.
The legend says that the Sihing Buddha image
was created in Sri Lanka around 157 AD and
was brought to Siam in 1307 AD to Sukhothai.
Later it was relocated to Phitsanulok, Ayutthaya,
Kamphaeng Phet and Chiang Rai, before it was brought
back to Ayutthaya again and then to Chiang Mai.
Presently it is in Bangkok. Thai people believe that
wherever the Sihing Buddha image resides, Buddhism
will prosper.
Presently there are three images of the Sihing
Buddha that share the same title, one in the Phutthai
Sawan Royal Throne Hall, National Museum, Bangkok;
one in the Phra Sihing Hall in Nakhon Sri Thammarat
province; and the other one at Wat Phra Sing in
Chiang Mai province.
The Thai people connect the Sihing Buddha image
with Songkran festival (Thai New Year festival in lunar
calendar). During Songkran festival, there will be a
procession of Sihing Buddha image so that people
can pour water over the image and then pray for
auspiciousness and ask for blessings.