Pathamasambodhi

Pathamasambodhi (Thai: ปฐมสมโพธิ, pronounced [pa.tʰom.ma.som.phot]) is a Buddhist scripture or biography of the Buddha. The author, place, and period of composition are unknown. Versions of the text exist in several languages, including Pali, Mon, Khmer, and various Tai languages. The oldest known version is in Pali, written in Lanna script and composed in the city of Tha Soi in the Lanna Kingdom in 1470 CE (B.E. 2013).[1] This version also became the source for several Tai-language versions of the text. However, some scholars believe that the earliest version may have originated in Burma or Sri Lanka, though such manuscripts have been lost.[2]

The original story recounts the life of Siddhartha Gautama and aligns with both canonical and non-canonical Buddhist biographical traditions. In the Lanna version, the text is divided into four parts: 1. The Bodhisatta’s stay in Tusita Heaven and descent into Queen Māyā’s womb until his birth. 2. His life as a prince and marriage, covering the first 29 years. 3. His renunciation, spiritual search, ascetic practices, and attainment of supreme enlightenment over six years. 4. Events following his enlightenment, concluding with the preaching of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta and its results.

Over time, the Pathamasambodhi evolved into an extended text incorporating both the life of the Buddha and the history of Buddhism, eventually growing to more than twice its original length. Nevertheless, the Lanna Pali version remains the core source for all later versions.[3] It contains nine chapters (paricchedas). Scholars at Thailand’s Fine Arts Department believe that during the Ayutthaya period, there existed a precursor text titled the Jinamahanidana, written in Khmer script on palm leaves, which served as a source for later versions in the Rattanakosin period.[4]

During the Rattanakosin era, Prince Paramanuchitchinorot revised and expanded the work into 29 chapters under the title Pathamasambodhi Katha (ปฐมสมโพธิกถา), using canonical Pali texts and commentaries for reference.[5][6] The work was begun in 1844 CE (B.E. 2387) and completed in 1845 CE (B.E. 2388). Although the term "Pathamasambodhi Katha" literally means "the story of the first and supreme enlightenment of the Buddha," the narrative does not focus exclusively on the enlightenment episode itself.[7]

Versions

  • Pali Pathamasambodhi – National Library of Thailand, Ratchamangkhalaphisek Chiang Mai branch; copied in 1470 CE (B.E. 2013) at Wat Si Bun Rueang, Tha Soi, Chiang Mai Province
  • Pali version 1 – Wat Lai Hin; copied in 1574 CE (B.E. 2117); 3 volumes, 138 palm-leaf folios
  • Pathamasambodhi of Phra Suwan Rangsī – composed in 1585 CE (B.E. 2128) by a monk from Chiang Mai (later Patriarch of Vientiane), found at Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi, Tak Province
  • Lanna version – Wat Khan Kaeo, Chiang Mai; copied in 1834–1835 CE (B.E. 2377–2378); 7 volumes, 9 chapters; transliterated by Bamphen Rawin, 104 pages
  • Mon version – Wat Khongkharam, Ratchaburi Province; written in Mon influenced by Burmese orthography, dating from Mon migration to Ratchaburi[2]
  • Version of Prince Paramanuchitchinorot – 29 chapters, translated and revised in the Rattanakosin period
  • Ten-volume edition – by Ariyavangsagatayana (Sa Pussadeva), Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram
  • Mahapadhana ascetic version – by Phra Buddhaghosacariya (Rit Thammassiri), focusing only on the Bodhisatta’s austerities
  • Thirty-chapter edition – composed collectively by thirty senior monks during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), based on Paramanuchitchinorot’s version

References

  1. ^ Phrakhru Siriratnasophit (Sriwan Sovannasiri). "Pathamasambodhi Lanna Edition: Transliteration, Cleaning, and Analytical Study" (PDF). Buri Ram Rajabhat University.
  2. ^ a b Natthinee Phromkird. "A Study of the Pathamasambodhi Mon Manuscript from Wat Khongkharam, Ratchaburi Province" (PDF). Silpakorn University.
  3. ^ Thatchai Kornkoom. "Depictions of the Buddha in Buddhist Biographical Literature" (PDF). Silpakorn University.
  4. ^ Phensupha Sukkata. "The Image and Belief of "Mae Thorani" in Shan State and Lanna". Matichon Weekly.
  5. ^ "Pathamasambodhi Katha, Chapters 8–15" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  6. ^ "Atthamee Bucha Day: Devotion Before the End in the Pathamasambodhi Katha". Silpa Wattanatham.
  7. ^ "Pathamasambodhi Katha". Thai Literary Directory, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.