มหาปณิธานข้ามสหัสวรรษ: สายธารศรัทธาแห่งฟ้าตะวันออก

The Millennium Aspiration: The Stream of Faith in the Eastern Sky

 Prologue of Faith: When Confucius Eulogized the "Great Man of the West"

In the annals of world history, the period around 500–600 BCE is heralded as the "Axial Age"—a remarkable era in which major civilizations emerged simultaneously across the globe in an extraordinary manner. This article presents a priceless historical anecdote from the lectures of Sathien Bodhinanda, a preeminent scholar of the Thai Buddhist circle [2], who imparted a profound narrative regarding the perception of the Buddha's story in ancient China. This account is conveyed through the perspective of China’s greatest master, Confucius (551–479 BCE), who was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha; notably, Confucius was approximately eight years of age in the year that the Buddha attained Parinirvana.

In the ancient scripture "Liezi," Chapter 4 titled "Zhong Ni" [1], a historical event was recorded when a high-ranking official of the Song State named "Shang Tai Zai" paid his respects and posed a question to Confucius: "Master... do you consider yourself to be the 'Great Sage' (Sheng Ren), the greatest of them all?" Confucius, filled with characteristic humility, replied: "Far from it. I am merely a seeker of knowledge who has studied and listened extensively."

When Shang Tai Zai inquired about the legendary kings or the Five Emperors (Wu Di), Confucius maintained his stance that those figures could not yet be truly called Great Sages. It was then that Confucius uttered these immortal words: "I have heard that in the land to the West, there is a Great Man who has emerged... It is this person who truly deserves the honor of being recognized as the 'Great Sage' of the world." This admission serves as a testament to the purity of the Buddhist Dhamma, confirming its transcendental value beyond all ethnic prejudices.

Dhammavijaya Across the Horizon and the Transition of Suvarnabhumi

Following the Buddha's Parinirvana, Emperor Ashoka expanded the realm through "Dhammavijaya," sending Venerable Sona and Venerable Uttara to "Suvarnabhumi." Luang Boribal Buribhand [3] presented evidence that stupas in Nakhon Pathom exhibit Amaravati styles (663–725 BE). This revision by scholars, including George Cœdès, aligns with archaeological evidence confirming Buddhism's presence in Suvarnabhumi for over two millennia.

The Great Aspiration of the Northern Sky: The Pilgrimage Across Centuries

The aspiration to preserve the Dhamma is reflected in Chinese Great Monks, starting from Emperor Ming of Han's dream, leading to the White Horse Temple. It continued through the sacrifices of Fa-Hsien and Hsuan-Tsang [2], who brought sutras back to liberate sentient beings, securing Buddhism's foundation in the Dragon Land.

The Great Aspiration of the Southern Sky: The Wat Si Chum Inscription and Somdej Toh

In Thailand, the Wat Si Chum Inscription [4][5] records Somdej Phra Mahathera Sri Sraddha’s desire for "Bodhisambhara." He restored the Great Relic Stupa to a height of "Ninety-five Wa," a rhetorical "Anekkasankhaya" signifying immense scale. This connects to Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (Toh Brahmharamsi), who discovered ancient clay tablets (Phra Thung Sethi) in 1849, as noted in the records of Nai Chit [7]. He utilized these as mass for his own tablets, transmitting the "Great Aspiration" from the Sukhothai era to the Rattanakosin period.

The Immortality of Votive Tablets and the Undying Faith

The ultimate purpose of votive tablets is a "divine stratagem" to ensure Buddhism's endurance. George Cœdès [6] stated that even if a deluge swept everything away, the remaining tablets would allow future archaeologists to recognize the superior religion that once flourished in the Orient.

References

[1] Liezi. "Chapter 4: Zhong Ni," in The Book of Liezi.

[2] Bodhinanda, S. (1971). History of Buddhism in China. Bannakarn Press.

[3] Buribhand, L. B. (1952). Buddha Images of Various Periods in Thailand. Fine Arts Department.

[4] Cœdès, G. (1978). "Inscription No. 2: Wat Si Chum," in Collected Inscriptions Part 1. Prime Minister's Office.

[5] Hutangkura, T., et al. (2003). General Information of the Wat Si Chum Inscription. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.

[6] Cœdès, G. (1917). "The Legend of Votive Tablets," in Fine Arts Journal.

[7] Damrong Rajanubhab, H.R.H. Prince. (1926). History of Buddhist Stupas in Siam. Thai Press.