Phra Malai

Phra Malai Kham Luang (, ) is the royal version of a Thai legendary poem of the Sri Lankan monk Arhat Maliyadeva, whose stories are popular in Thai Theravada Buddhism. The vernacular version is known as Phra Malai Klon Suat. Phra Malai is the subject of numerous palm-leaf manuscripts (in Thai ''bai lan)'', folding books (in Thai ''samut khoi''), and artworks. His story, which includes concepts such as reincarnation, merit, and Buddhist cosmology, was a popular part of Thai funeral practices in the nineteenth century.

Legend of Phra Malai

Phra Malai, according to the various versions of the story, was a Buddhist monk who accumulated so much merit that he acquired great supernatural abilities. Using his powers, he traveled to the various hells, where he meets the suffering denizens and is implored to have their living relatives make merit on their behalf. He later traveled to the heavenly realms of the devas, Trāyastriṃśa and Tushita, where he meets Indra and the future Buddha Maitreya, who is still a Bodhisattva, (who is not a Buddha yet), who instruct him further in merit-making.Heijdra, Martin
"The Legend of Phra Malai"
Princeton University Graphic Arts Collection Beyond the basic elements of the legend, further embellishments and flourishes were often added during recitations of the tale, to better entertain the audience.Williams, Paul, and Ladwig, Patrice
''Buddhist Funeral Cultures of Southeast Asia and China''
pp. 83-4

History

The earliest known Phra Malai manuscript is dated C.S. 878 ( CE 1516), written in Pali and vernacular Northern Thai language. However, most of the surviving manuscripts date from the late-18th and 19th centuries.Igunma, Jana
"A Thai Book of Merit: Phra Malai's Journeys to Heaven and Hell
British Library Asian and African Studies Blog It is possible that the story originated in Sri Lanka, but it was only recorded in Southeast Asia, with its greatest popularity being in Thailand.Ginsburg, Henry
"Thai Art and Culture: Historic Manuscripts from Western Collections"
pp. 92-111 The Phra Malai story was often read at funerals as part of the entertainment during the wake, with many monks adding dramatic twists to entertain the audience. Starting during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), these performances were seen as inappropriate, and monks were banned from reciting Phra Malai during funerals, but the ban was circumvented by using former monks dressed in monastic robes to perform the recitations.

Cultural depictions

Phra Malai was an extremely popular subject of illuminated manuscripts in 19th-century Thailand. The story was often written in folding ''samut khoi'' books, using Khom Thai script to write the Thai language, often in highly colloquial and risque style. Most Phra Malai manuscripts include seven subjects, normally in pairs: devas or gods; monks attended by laymen; scenes of hell; scenes of picking lotus flowers; Phra Malai with Indra at a heavenly stupa; devas floating in the air; and contrasting scenes of quarreling evil people and meditating good people. These books were used as chanting manuals for monks and novices; as it was considered very meritorious to produce or sponsor them, they were often produced as a lavishly decorated presentation volume for the recently deceased.

Gallery

See also

* Moggallāna, the second of Shakyamuni Buddha's two foremost male disciples.
* Maliyadeva, one of the last well-known arhats who had high psychic powers according to Mahavamsa.
* Ksitigarbha, an East Asian figure with similar aspects.
* Karuṇā (Brahmavihara)

References

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Thai Buddhist literature
Buddhist mythology
1737 poems
Poems in Thai
Katabasis