The radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

There is no evidence related to the origin. However, its characteristic in Khmer Arts, Bayon style suggests that it was built around the 18^th century B.E. in the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Some historians believed that Sa Kosinarai Archaeological Site where this sculpture were found might be the Khmer community mentioned in Preah Khan Inscription, especially Mueang SamPhukPuttana where Jaya Buddha mahanart were sent by King Jayavarman VII. If the above assumptions are true, it can justify the close relationship between Mueang Phra Nakhon and Mueang Sing. It can also be questioned whether it is possible that the sculpture of the radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was built in Mueang Phra Nakhon then sent to Mueang Sing along with Jaya Buddha mahanart.

Carved sandstone

Found in Sa Kosinarai Archaeological Site, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi province

The radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is in a standing position but with missing limbs as in the head, hands, shins, and feet. The chest, shoulders and upper arms of the body are decorated with many rows of Buddha images that looks like armor.There is a large image of a person in the middle of the chest and the waist and this might refer to Prachya Paramita. The image wears shorts with roughly engraved pattern. Its lower body from the thigh to the feet is in disproportion according to the sculpture in Bayon style.

This sculpture may be in a damaged condition but there is enough trace to tell that it is a radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in Khmer Arts, Bayon style aged around 18^th century B.E. It was discovered at Sa Kosinarai Archaeological Site, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi province. This evidence displays a close relationship between the western territories of Thailand and Cambodia in the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It also shows the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand.

The radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was created from the belief that he is the greatest one of the universes, the universe that is inside the body. The greatness is displayed by rows of Buddha images all over the top part of the body and the head.

1. The radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva from Mueang Sing, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi province

2. The radiant Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva from Khuha Sawan cave, Mueang district, Lopburi province

ฟิโนต์, หลุยส์. “พระโพธิสัตว์เปล่ารัศมี” แปลโดย หม่อมเจ้าสุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล, ศิลปากร ปีที่ 10, ฉบับที่ 2 (กรกฎาคม 2509), หน้า 46-51.

สุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล, หม่อมเจ้า. ประติมากรรมขอม. กรุงเทพฯ : กรุงสยามการพิมพ์, 2515.

สุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล. ศิลปะขอม. กรุงเทพฯ : องค์การค้าของคุรุสภา, 2533.