The Diving Buddha (Thailand Local Custom)

The Diving Buddha (Thailand Local Custom at Phetchabun)
The Holy Barge of Phra Buddha Maha Dhammaraja

     The ceremony of the diving a Buddha image in a river in Phetchabun is held once a year. The festival usually takes place on the 1 5th day of the 1Oth waning moon. It is an old ceremony that has been observed continuously for many years. It allows the Governor of Phetchabun to show his sacrifice to the people. Traditionally, the Governor was the only person deemed suitable to bear the sacred Buddha image and dive with it into the river. According to tradition, whenever the Governor did not fulfill this duty, the crops became barren that year and the image would mysteriously disappear.

     The Buddha image known as "Phra Buddha Maha Dhammaraja" is a focus of worship for the people of Phetchabun. It is also the proud symbol of the province. The image sits in the crossed leg meditation posture , in the style of the Lop Buri school of Khmer-influenced art. The image is dressed with royal diadems and carved with a wide face and nose, his long ears touching the shoulders. The ancient Khmer who once ruled over Lop Buri had the image cast from bronze; its height is 18 inches and the lap is 13 inches wide. The image originally resided in Sukhothai, before being moved to its present abode at Tri Bhumi Temple, Petcharat Rd., Tambol Nai Muang, Muang District, Phetchabun Province.


The Procession of Phra Buddha Maha Dhammaraja Image

    According to folklore, a group of villagers went fishing in the Pasak River one day. After trying all day long, but catching nothing, they took a rest at Wang Makham Fab near the river bank. Suddenly, a giant whirlpool formed the normally quiet river. A Buddha then emerged from the middle of whirlpool. The villagers believed it to be a sacred omen and brought the image back with them to Tri Bhumi temple. The following year, the Buddha image disappeared from the temple. Monks and others tried to look for the image. To their astonishment, they found the image floating in the river at the very first point from where it had emerged. Ever since, the people have held a ceremony each year to mark the event.

Phra Buddha Maha  Dhammaraja  is  a  priceless treasure. It is kept in a safe place and guarded. Every year, the image is brought out into public, to allow the people to pay their respects, apply gold leaf on the image and pour water over its hands.

     On the day of the procession, the Governor of Phetchabun places the image on a dais to be paraded along the roads. It is an opportunity for the people to have a close look at the revered image. The Buddha image is followed by a parade of the government agencies dressed as ancient troops, and a procession of elephants and horses.


The Diving Ceremony

     On the third day, a holy barge awaits on the waters of the Pasak River. After offering breakfast to the monks, the Governor places the image on a throne, which is moved to the vessel. The procession is accompanied by senior officers and monks. The actual ceremony is held at the spot where the image was first discovered.

     The Governor begins by bearing the image in his hands facing south, praying for peace and wealth. Then he dives with the image into the river thrice. He then turns to face North and repeats the process once again.

When the ceremony is over, the people of Phetchabun, young and old alike, will play in the river and drink its water, believing it to be sacred. Some search for the gold leaf that has peeled off the Buddha image, and bring it back home as an object of worship.