The Legend of Buddha’s Relics of Communities along the Mekong River from the Urungga Dhatu Myth - Phra Rachane Visarado Ph.D

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

This article studies the historical development of the Urungga Dhatu legend among communities on both banks of the Mekong River, using a contextual framework linking social relationships and culture. It finds that chronicles connect Buddha’s prediction to boundary lands of Lao Lanchang and to sites holding Buddha’s relics tied to Buddhist monastic orders. The work traces belief diffusion across Thailand and Lao areas, and analyzes how relic-related faith and rituals function as community and political symbols, shaping festivals and worship networks from the Tavaravada period.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

The Legend in the Meaning of the Foundation of Civilization

The Legend of Buddha’s Relics of Communities along the Mekong River from the Urungga Dhatu Myth Phra Rachane Visarado, Ph.D Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University,Thailand Abstract The purpose of this article aims at studying the historical development of the Urungga Dhatu legend in the community of both banks of the Mekong River by using the contextual concept that links to the network of the social relationship and culture of the communities on both sides of Mekong River from the Urungga Dhatu legend as the framework in an analysis. The results of the research are found that the chronicles refer to the Buddha’s prediction about the land at the boundary of Lao Lanchang, the Lao Kingdom, a place locating the Buddha’s relics that link to the Buddhist monastic orders to the Kingdom. The influences of the beliefs as mentioned have been spread out to the communities on both sides of Mekong River in the areas of Nakonpanom, Nongkhai, Vientiane City, in which are the locations of Phra Dhatpanom, Phra Dhatu Muang La or Phra Dhatu La-Nong, Phra Dhatu Bung Paun, Phra Dhatu Ponjikvieng-Ngue, Phra Dhatu Hor pha Hor phae, Muang Hartsaifong, Vientien City. So the chronicles of Urungga Dhatu result from the beliefs in the Buddha’relics of the Lanchang people linking to the Buddhist places that have the trace of Buddhist beliefs coming from the Tavaravada period, approximately Buddhist Era 13-14. In the aspect of beliefs and rituals of communities on the banks of Mekong River in the areas of Thailand that concern the Buddha’s relics, the community expresses in the forms of the centers of magic places, faith and rituals as the symbols of the political power and the center of community, commercial centers, traveling, and tourism. While the places for research in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, eventhough they know the Buddha’s relics as the chronicles, still believe the Buddha’s relics confidently. It may noticed that there are many people participating in various traditional festivals in Vientien City, including the traditional management for worshiping Phra Dhatu in their own locations showing the social network of individuals who have the power in their ways of life in the community on both sides of the Mekong River at the present. Keywords : legend of Buddha’s relics, communities, Urungga Dhatu Introduction This is a study of ancient community story using analysis and interpretation from ancient evidences. The majority is historical and cultural analysis and former analysis of people in the community who used to be the cultural owners in the areas of those archaeological sources by designating the age, time, or period systematically as importance. The series of knowledge is obtained from studying the archaeological materials through the archaeological materials that have characteristics emphasizing the society and culture of former people widely because it focuses on the importance of ancient materials that are found in each place. From the passing events, the series of knowledge from the archaeological evidences, which are already analyzed, benefits other aspects of co-education, especially the application of the archaeological evidence to the study history concerning local history, society, and culture. That application of evidences is used in the features as the evidence for supporting the existence of the former people in those locations that the archaeological evidences by a long time retroactively.1 In every society, the hometowns had been built up retroactively fora long time. The majority is the legend of primitive tribes in the feature beyond the truth connecting to the belief in religions as known in that society. The legend is like the sacred content, the real truths, not to be improved, and the guidance of people’s practice in societies; so it means“the Legend.” The things as appearing in the content of the legend must be the truth, unchangeable or imitation from the forms of that reality. People in t

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the article?

To study the historical development of the Urungga Dhatu legend in communities on both banks of the Mekong River using a contextual framework that links social relationships and culture.

How do the chronicles describe the connection to Buddha’s prediction and relic sites?

They refer to Buddha’s prediction about boundary lands of Lao Lanchang, where Buddha’s relics are located and linked to Buddhist monastic orders and kingdoms.

What role do beliefs and rituals play in the communities along the Mekong?

They appear as centers of magic places, faith and rituals that symbolize political power and community focus, and they also support worship practices through festivals and social networks.

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver