Urangkhathat Legend: The Naga Exists in Suvarnabhumi Not in Phra That Phnom

Abstract

This academic article aims at analyzing the Urangkhathat Legend and Naga, the legendary snake, appeared in the Legend. It revealed that the Urangkhathat Legend is divided into 9 periods. The Legend portrays the story about Buddhism on the two allurival plains of Mae Khong River and the story tells about the belief in Lord Buddha in Phatra Kap (the period of prosperity) period and in the future period through events which displays prosperity and decadence in Buddhism and different cities. The cities in Urangkhathat Legend can; according to the dwelling of Naga, be divided into 2 large groups. First, Suvarnabhumi, which is the dwelling place of Nagas and is ruled by Suvanna Naga, consists of Suvarnabhumi, Chantaburi, Srisatta, Naga, Nong Han Noi (Small Nong Han), and Nong Han Luang (Big Nong Han). Second, Sri Kottabong cities, where no Nagas living in; is the location of Phra That Phnom, the place that locates the relices of the Lord Buddha in Phatra Kap Period, which corresponds the advent of Kotama Lord Buddha. However, these two cities developed a governmental relationship through the birth and reincarnation of Phra Ya Tikottabun and other kings. Accordingly, this leads to the conclusion that the Naga exists in Suvarnabhumi, not in Phra That Phnom.