Naga Prok attitude
Naga Prok attitude (Thai: ปางนาคปรก; RTGS: pang nak prok), translated as "sheltered-by-the-naga Buddha",[1] is an attitude of Buddha in Burmese, Khmer, Lao and Thai art of which the seated Buddha in either the meditation attitude, or maravijaya attitude, is sheltered by or covered with a multi-headed nāga. The naga, whose name is Mucalinda, usually has seven or nine heads and appeared to coil the base of the Buddha statue.
The attitude refers to the episode after reaching the enlightenment. He travelled to various kingdoms to teach and spend the rest of his time meditating. One night, a heavy storm raged on the forest where he was meditating. A nāga by the name of Mucalinda (มุจลินท์; Mujalind) saw him meditating under such harsh weather. The Mucalinda decided to coil around his āsana (seat) and use himself as the shield to protect the Guatama from raindrops.[2]
The attitude is assumed to be pioneering since the early Khmer art.
Gallery[]
11th century Khmer statue at , Ayutthaya province.
12th century Khmer bronze Naga-enthroned Buddha from Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia.
at Sukhothai Historical Park, the statue emphasises the naga's coils
at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai province
at Wat Bang Reang, Phang Nga province
at Sala Keoku, Nong Khai province
at Wat Simuong, Vientiane
The Nagayon Buddha in Monywa, Myanmar
References[]
- ^ "Info" (PDF). www.finearts.go.th.
- ^ Thanissaro, Bhikkhu. "Muccalinda Sutta: About Muccalinda".
- translated from th:ปางนาคปรก on Thai Wikipedia
- Buddhist art
- Buddhist iconography
- Laotian art
- Thai Buddhist art and architecture
- Buddhism in Laos
- Cultural depictions of Gautama Buddha