Buddha’s Footprint on the Mural Painting in the Crypt of Main Prang Type Stupa, Wat Ratchaburana, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Abstract

This article have main objective to research the mural painting in the level 2 crypt of the main Prang type stupa, Wat Ratchaburana, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The mural in this crypt was created inside the square and rectangular panels with the story mainly focus about Buddhism such as Life of Lord Buddha, Jataka (Past lives of Lord Buddha), Past Buddha and disciples. And there are 2 panels which can be defined as a Buddha’s Footprint add into this mural in the crypt. So researcher want to research to examine that are these 2 panels Buddha’s Footprint or not. If they are, can we identify which Buddha’s footprints these scene represent? Researcher will use both texts and Buddhist scriptures from both Thailand and other countries and Buddhist art such as Buddha’s footprint and mural with the story about Buddha’s footprint.

          The result from this article is there is one panel in the level 2 crypt of the main Prang type stupa, Wat Ratchaburana that represent Buddha’s footprint which is the Buddha’s footprint from Mount Sumanakuta or Adam’s peak, the most sacred Buddha’s footprint in Sri Lanka and one of Solosmahasthana, 16 sacred places of Sri Lanka. The Buddha’s footprint from Mount Sumanakuta was depicted in the shape of a big footprint on top of a single mountain which will be the foundation for the painting that mention this Buddha’s footprint in the later period. While another painting which was believed to be the Footprints of 4 Buddhas in this mural should be defined as a 4 treasure pots that was appear at the birth time of Lord Buddha. This scene was shown as 4 object that was placed separately in horizontal order while the Footprints of 4 Buddhas in this period was presented as a Buddha’s footprints that was placed in a stacked order.