Emerald Buddha and its imminent trail

Buddha images vary in value according to many criteria, amongst which are age, beauty, material, history, and magical power. Such facets combine to give spiritual power and no image in Thai history has surpassed the Emerald Buddha which now resides in the temple of the same name, Wat Phra Kaew, the royal chapel of the Grand Palace.

So highly prized, it has led a very peripatetic life. Legend has it that it was carved in Palibutr in India (now is “Pattana State”) and then went to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). From there it made its way to the Khmers of Angkor, so they say. What is sure is that it revealed itself in Chiang Rai in the 1430s at the pagoda of Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai, emerging from under plaster and gold leaf.

There are two stories to choose from here: either it cracked open while being transported or it was struck by lightning and revealed itself. Either way, it was immediately thought to possess particularly potent spirituality.

Thus began its coveting by kings. The King of Chiang Mai wanted it brought to his palace but the chosen carrier elephant refused to go all the way, stopping in Lampang. The image resided there in the first of many Temples of the Emerald Buddha for some 30 years before eventually reaching Chiang Mai.

As we know, at that time Laan Na and Laan Xang is the relative dynasty. When Chiang Mai (Laan Na), were interregnum, they asked for little prince from Laan Xang to royal throne. He sat as the king of Laan Na untill 1551 Laan Xang also lacked of King that he backed his home land and brought the Emerald Buddha image of Laan Na to his capital of Luang Prabang on the upper Mekong river. When his Kingdom of a Million Elephants/Laan Xang moved capital to Vientiane a few years later, the Emerald Buddha also were taken too and gained pride of place in the royal chapel, naturally named Wat Phra Kaew.

After the fall of Ayutthaya, the resurgent Siamese expelled the Burmese and went on to invade Laos in 1778 under Chao Phya Chakri. This great general naturally seized the Emerald Buddha from Vientiane and took it back to King Taksin in Thonburi (now it is a province of Thailand), who set it up in his royal chapel, the Temple of the Dawn or Wat Arun.

Upon the dethroning and execution of the mad Taksin in 1782, General Chakri became King Rama l, set up his capital across the river at Bangkok. King Rama l began to construct the present Wat Phra Kaew and ceremonially transferred the Emerald Buddha. Ever since, this temple has been the principal royal chapel of the Chakri dynasty and three times each year, the King goes to change the image’s gold robes according to the seasons of time.

The Emerald Buddha is made of translucent green jasper and is a sitting image 75 cm in height. It is raised on an 11 meter high altar and crowned by a nine-tiered umbrella. Its three raiments are all made of gold. The summer season robe resembles that of a monk, the robe for the rainy season is an arrangement of breastplate, belts and bands, whilst the winter season covering is an intricate chain-link cloak.

The three raiment changes are performed by the king in ceremonies attended by high ecclesiastical, court and government officials at the official commencement of each season.

If ever the Emerald Buddha changes place rather than just clothing again, this will surely be a sign of some major upheaval in Thai history.

Glossary:

Wat Phra Kaew : name of the temples of the Emerald Buddha that there are many temple in Thailand are called Wat Phra Kaew

Wat : is temple

Phra Kaew : the Emerald Buddha

Laan Na : the ancient state of the provinces in North part of Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lam Phun etc.

Laan Xang : the ancient state of Laos

Luang Prabang : the ancient capital Laan Xang now is one city of Laos

Chiang Rai City of Thailand

Mueang Chiang Rai is a city in Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Changwat Chiang Rai, a northernmost Changwat/province in Thailand. History The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered byBurma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Chiang Mai vassal. After Siam or Thailand annexed Chiang Mai in 1899 Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. In 1432 during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of Mangrai dynasty (1402–1441) the Phra Kaeo, or Emerald Buddha, the most reveredBuddha statue, was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo of Chiang Rai City. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within. Another telling of the story has the 'Emerald Buddha' hastily covered in mud just before marauders entered to pillage. It wasn't until many years later, that the clunky-looking mud Buddha was found to actually house the magnificent jade statue, perhaps by way of the earthquake mentioned above - which caused a piece of the clay to break off - revealing the jade beneath. In 1992, the City Pillar was moved from Wat Klang Wiang to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, where it is known as Sadue Mueang (Thai: สะดือเมือง), the Navel or Omphalos of the City.

Geography Chiang Rai City is 200 kilometres northeast of Chiang Mai City, 62 kilometres south of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 kilometres southwest of the town of Chiang Saen on the Mae Kong across from Laos; and 90 kilometres north of Payao town. The Mae Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing from west out of Burma at Taton town - to east and thereby merging with the Mekong River. There are four bridges spanning the Mae Kok river within the town's boundaries, each running south/north. Most of the terrain surrounding Chiang Rai town is either flat or has moderate hills. The exception is outward in the west and northwest directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have straight-up exposed cliffs. Not surprisingly, that's also the direction where most of the region's Hill Tribe people have their villages, further afield. Demographics Official Population count: According to the Thailand National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district has a population of 199,699. With the spread of the city extending into neighboring districts, the metropolitan area is considered somewhat larger by local residents. 12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a collective term for the minority ethnic groups in the North of Thailand such as the Karen, Akha, Lisu,Meo, and Muser. Many Chinese, particularly from Yunnan Province, have migrated to the area and assimilated with the Thai population to such extent that well over half of the large businesses in northern Thailand are owned by people of Chinese heritage Government Chiang Rai City is the capital of Changwat Chiang Rai. The City Hall 19°54.805′N 99°49.615′E holds the Provincial Offices. The Thetsaban holds the Municipal Offices 19°54′34″N 99°49′39″E. Buddhist temples -Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, 19°54.970′N 99°49.365′E -Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai, 19°54.704′N 99°49.647′E -Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai, 19°54.653′N 99°49.882′E -Wat Doi Khao Khwai, 19°52.892′N 99°48.582′E -Wat Rong Khun, 19°49.480′N 99°45.800′E, a modern temple built since 1998 by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat -Chedi Doi Trimoorati,.Map Tourist attractions in or near Chiang Rai town -Night Bazaar is a night market, located in the middle of downtown, Chiangrai. A place for souvenirs and local products, with free cultural performances. Also more than forty restaurants. -Saturday Night Walking Street just north of downtown. Hundreds of local folks display their crafts and food. Includes local dance and showcase displays. Tourist attractions further afield, within Chiang Rai province -Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong Located about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai accessed by a scenic, and sometimes quite steep, road from Mae Chan. In Mae Salong there is a museum of the Kuomintang and their plight after exiled from China by Mao Zedong, and subsequently forced to leave Burma from where they entered Thailand, helping at times to fight the Communists. -Doi Tung Royal Villa is the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand, known as the Princess Mother. It is located at kilometre 12 on highway 1149, to the west of highway 1. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. Adjacent to the villa is a large flower-filled garden, and a memorial hall commemorating the Princess Mother. -Doi Tung Zoo and another zoo 25 km south of town, just off of the old road to Chiang Mai. Besides a decent collection of animals, it has an entire section dedicated to birds, most of which are colorful flightless types. -Phu Chi Fa -The Gate of Siam is a location on the border with Laos where one can stand high up on a mountain with Laos directly in front and the mighty Mekong River flowing beneath. -Saun Mai Ngam Park Many beautiful trees and flowers. Some are more than 100 years old. This is a place where Chiang Rai Flower festival is held at the end of every year. Transportation Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burma border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 14 hours by car or by bus. According to official bus schedules, the bus ride to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai takes approximately an hour and 30 minutes, however the 175 km trip most often takes at least two and a half hours. All of these times should take into account the rainy season which lasts from about June to late October, this can severely inhibit travel with road sections often completely flooded and even washed out. Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are several major operators including Thai airways, Air Asia, Nok air and One to go. There is scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai province daily this journey will last about 3–4 hours and is a pleasant alternative to the bus ride through the mountains. There are currently no rail services to Chiang Rai as the railway line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai. There have been talks of extending the rail line from Den Chai to Chiang Rai in the near future,[1] but this is unlikely to happen as the city's population is well below 1 million and there aren't as many international tourists visiting Chiang Rai as Chiang Mai. Also there are no major industrial complexes in the region as it is largely a rural economy. Source: Thaiwiki

May: Time in Thailand today : What you can see

Nowadays, if people come to visit Thailand they can participate in many festival. Many of these festival is concern with way of life of people in Thailand. Here, I present two festival that will be act in May 2012. Visakha Bucha/Vesak, (nationwide) mid-May (full moon of 6th lunar month). Makha Bucha Day is very special day for Buddhists around the world. Because in the Makha Bucha Day is on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, Makha, of the year, 4 special events happened: 1. There were 1,250 Sangha followers, that came to see the Buddha that evening without any schedule. 2. All of them were "Arhantas', the Enlightened One, and all of them were ordained by the Buddha himself. 3. The Buddha gave those Arhantas the principles of the Buddhism, called "The Ovadhapatimokha". Those principles are: - To cease from all evil, - To do what is good, - To cleanse one's mind; 4. It was the full moon day. Activities to be Observed on Makha Bucha Day 'TUM BOON': Making merit by going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dhamma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities. 'RUB SIL': Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts. 'TUK BARD': Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl). Practice of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days. 'VIEN TIEN': Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony, (Sanam Luang, Bangkok) May 11 (roughly 8-9 am.). An ancient Brahman ritual, this celebrates the official start of the rice-planting season. Scarlet-clad handlers who sacred oxen pulling ploughs, followed by the Minister of Agriculture who scatters consecrated rice seed. The colourful ceremony is presided over by the King and Brahman priests, with court and government officials participating. At the end, upcountry formers leap the barriers and rush to dig up the auspicious seed in o grand melee. Access: Sanam Luang is the large oval field north of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok. Rocket Festival, (Yasothon, Northeast) second weekend, Saturday-Sunday. There is one more festival that people don't miss to visit that is Rocket Festival. This is you will be fun with it because they will start by rocket parade, in there, the folk dance also will be perform by at least 50 girl in one group. So people would like to take photos more as they can.  Rocket Festival is a widespread custom in the northeast, most exuberant at Yasothon province of Thailand. Normally they call “Bang Fi” festival. Villagers build elaborate wooden rocket launchers and shoot huge squibs from them which go spluttering wildly across the fields. This takes place on the Sunday and is supposed to ensure plentiful rains for the imminent rice-planting season. On the Saturday, there ore colourful parades of rockets and folk dancers, and the obligatory beauty contest.