Legend of the Naga and Buddhism Mythology
Category : Review
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What / Why :
Since ancient time, the Naga, a mythical serpent god, has played a significant role in many religion mythologies and Asian’s folklores. There are many Naga legends in Buddhist Mythology and especially in Northeastern Thai’s folklores.
According to Buddhist Mythology, the Naga had faithfully served the Buddha and become one of his disciples. After the Buddha had attained the Enlightenment, he went to many towns and cities to preach. One day the Buddha went to meditate for a week under the Mucalinda tree, home of a Naga king called Muca-Linda. During his meditation, a strong rainstorm suddenly pored down. Naga King Muca-Linda had turned up and coiled his body into seven circles and rising his head up to form the shelter for the Buddha. When the rainstorm had cleared, Naga King Muca-Linda assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha to pay homage.
In honor to Naga King faithfulness to the Buddha, Buddhism artisans has created statue of Buddha in sitting posture meditated with the Naga coiled as Buddha’s throne. This type of Buddha statue signifies the Naga as Buddha’s protector.
In Mekong River basin, Northeastern of Thailand, there are many legends related to the Naga. The most famous of those is the legend of “Bang Fai Phaya Nark” or the Naga Fireball. Every year during the full moon and new moon nights of the 11th lunar month, which also coincides with the end of the Buddhist Lent, there are mysterious fireballs rising from the Mekong River and floating into the air above water surface. As long as the local people know, this phenomenon happens every year during this time. Many believe that the Naga in Mekong River shows his faithfulness to the Buddha and send fireballs as his homage. Local people celebrate the end of Lent season with many beautiful ceremonies and it becomes famous as The Naga Fireball Festival which holds at the end of Buddhist Lent season every year.
This year the Bang Fai Phaya Nark (Naga fireballs) phenomenon can be observed on Saturday, 23rd October 2010. There will be an ancient ceremony of Naga honoring at the Pak Huay Luang city shrine in Phonephisai district. Moreover, there will be a Naga Fireball Festival held in Nong Khai city municipal; the religion ceremony of Worohana alms offering will be held. Also the festival will feature parade and giant krathong contest in the city center, light and sound show in Mekong River, traditional long boat races with Royal trophy, along with bazaar and Thai traditional culinary food stalls and many more.
Come and celebrate this beautiful legend with us.
For more information
Please contact: TAT Udon Thani
16/5 Mook Montri rd. Mak Kang district
Downtown Udon Thaini province.
Tel.: 0 4232 5406-7
Fax.:0 4232 5408
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