Travel like the wind : Suchart choolee
Every Makha Bucha Day in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a current of devotion flows as people unite for the “Hae Pha Khuen That” tradition, known in its full form as the “Hae Pha Phra Bot” procession. In this unique ritual, long, vibrant cloths are paraded through the streets, making their way to the resplendent golden Phra Borommathat Chedi (Great Stupa) to be draped around it in a supreme act of reverence.
At the heart of this sacred ceremony lie two profound intentions. The first is to offer the highest form of devotion to the Buddha, rooted in the belief that clothing the stupa is akin to paying direct homage to the Lord Buddha himself, as it enshrines his sacred relics. The second is a bond of gratitude woven for the ancestors; the act is seen as bestowing peace and tranquility upon the souls of the departed, allowing them to rest peacefully in the Buddhist realm.
This tradition is not arbitrary; it is deeply rooted in the long history of Nakhon Si Thammarat—the “Magnificent City of the Righteous King”—once known as the “Tambralinga” Kingdom. It was a prosperous trading port and the principal gateway for Lankavamsa Buddhism into the Suvarnabhumi region. This faith reached its zenith during the reign of King Sri Dharmasokaraja
(c. 13th-15th centuries CE), who founded the city and erected the Phra Borommathat Chedi as its spiritual heart.
This profound religious influence later extended to lay the foundations of the Sukhothai Kingdom and was instrumental in preserving the Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) during the Thonburi era.
Thus, the long Phra Bot cloth carried in the procession is more than just an object of faith; it is a tangible symbol of history, belief, and gratitude passed down through centuries. Today’s procession is a powerful reaffirmation of these spiritual roots and a legacy of enduring faith that the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat proudly pass on from one generation to the next.
Related Articles
- The History of Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Tambralinga: An Ancient Kingdom on the Malay Peninsula
- Lankavamsa Buddhism in Thailand
- The Hae Pha Khuen That Tradition on Makha Bucha Day
- The Relationship between the Sukhothai Kingdom and Nakhon Si Thammarat
Video Credit : กระจกหกด้าน | Krajokhokdan Official
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