Phra Mae Thorani

Phra Mae Thorani (Thai: พระแม่ธรณี), Mae Phra Thorani (Thai: แม่พระธรณี) or Nang Thorani (นางธรณี) are Thai and Lao language names for the Khmer language Preah Thorani, an earth goddess of the Buddhist mythology of the region. She is also known as Suvathara or Sowathara.

Contents

Etymology

The word Thorani is the Royal Thai General System of Transcription romanization of dharaṇī, a loanword from Pali and Sanskrit for ground, earth.[1] Pra, from preah (Khmer: bprēiəh superior, holy) and Mae (mother).

Iconography and symbology

Images of Phra Mae Thorani are common in shrines and Buddhist temples of Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. According to Buddhist myths Phra Mae Thorani is personified as a young woman wringing the cool waters of detachment out of her hair, to drown Mara, the demon sent to tempt the Buddha as he meditated under the bodhi tree.[2]

In temple murals Phra Mae Thorani is often depicted with the Buddha in the posture of Calling the earth to witness. The waters flowing forth from her long hair wash away the armies of Mara and symbolize the water of the bodhisattva's perfection of generosity (dana parami).

“ 'The Bodhisattva was sitting in meditation on his throne under the Bodhi Tree, Mara, the Evil One, was jealous and wanted to stop him from reaching enlightenment. Accompanied by his warriors, wild animals and his daughters, he tried to drive the Bodhisattva from his throne. All the gods were terrified and ran away, leaving the Bodhisattva alone to face Mara's challenge. The Bodhisattva stretched down his right hand and touched the earth, summoning her to be his witness. The earth deity in the form of a beautiful woman rose up from underneath the throne, and affirmed the Bodhisattva's right to occupy the vajriisana. She twisted her long hair, and torrents of water collected there from the innumerable donative libations of the Buddha over the ages created a flood. The flood washed away Mara and his army, and the Bodhisattva was freed to reach enlightenment.[3] ”

Calling the earth to witness

In the Iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand, "Touching the earth" refers to the Buddha's pointing towards the earth, to summon the Earth Goddess to come to his assistance in obtaining enlightenment, by witnessing to his past good deeds.[4]

Modern use as a symbol

Phra Mae Thorani is featured in the logo of:

Mae Thorani may also appear as a decorative element.

See also

References

  1. ^ Turner, Sir Ralph Lilley; Dorothy Rivers Turner (January 2006) [1962]. A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages. (Accompanied by three supplementary volumes: indexes, compiled by Dorothy Rivers Turner: 1969. – Phonetic analysis: 1971. – Addenda et corrigenda: 1985. ed.). London: Oxford University Press,. p. 385 quote=dharáṇī6744 dharáṇī1 f. ' ground ' MBh. [F. of dháraṇa-- 1 sc. bhūˊmi--. -- √dhr̥] Pa. Pk. dharaṇī-- f. ' earth '. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/search3advanced?dbname=soas&query=dharani+&matchtype=exact&display=utf8. Retrieved 9:48 PM 1/19/2011. 
  2. ^ [1] [2]
  3. ^ Guthrie, Elizabeth (2004). "A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist Earth Deity in Mainland Southeast Asia" (PDF 9.2 MB Content copying allowed). Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Canterbury. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. p. 1. http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/4350/1/guthrie_vol_1_thesis.pdf. "Meng Prang, Buddhist Institute, Phnom Penh, February 1996." 
  4. ^ Cooler, Dr. Richard M. (Last updated: 11/02/09). "a. The Enlightened Buddha" (Illustrated study guide). The art and culture of Burma, Chapter III The Pagan period : Burma's classic age - 11th To 14th centuries, Part 4 D. Sculpture, 2. A thematic discussion of iconography and meaning. SEAsite, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Illinois University. http://www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/cooler/Chapter_3/Part4/Images/pagan_period_4.htm. Retrieved 6:17 PM 1/20/2011. 
  5. ^ Guthrie, p.175

Google Books references:

External links