Phra Phuttha Sihing (พระพุทธสิหิงค์) — c.13th century
Sacred bronze Buddha image held in the Buddhaisawan Chapel, National Museum Bangkok. The Phra Phuttha Sihing is considered the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand, surrounded by elaborate founding legends claiming it was cast in Sri Lanka in the 2nd century CE and miraculously transported to Thailand. Scholarly consensus dates the image to the 13th-14th century CE based on stylistic analysis. The image is in the Sukhothai-Ayutthaya transitional style, characterized by flame-shaped ushnisha, u-shaped robe hem, and seated bhumisparsha mudra (earth-touching gesture). It is publicly displayed only during the Thai New Year (Songkran) procession.
Scholarly Significance
Anchor the Thai royal Buddha image tradition through the Phra Phuttha Sihing, the most sacred and myth-laden Buddha image in Thailand, held at the National Museum Bangkok.
Notes
- ·Three images claim the title 'Phra Phuttha Sihing': the Bangkok example (National Museum); a Chiang Mai example (Wihan Lai Kham, Chiang Mai National Museum); and a Nakhon Si Thammarat example. The Bangkok image is the most celebrated.
- ·The founding legend states the image was cast in Sri Lanka in the 2nd century CE, miraculously floated to the Gulf of Thailand, and was found by a fisherman. This legend gives the image its immense sacred authority.
- ·The bhumisparsha mudra (earth-touching gesture) is the most common posture for Thai Buddha images, representing the moment of the Buddha's enlightenment when he called the earth to witness.
- ·The image is processed through the streets of Bangkok during the Songkran (Thai New Year) festival so devotees can sprinkle lustral water on it — one of the few occasions it leaves the chapel.