Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (UNESCO/NHK)

UNESCO

3 Jun 201002:33

Summary

TLDRSukhothai, a historic town 400 km north of Bangkok, is the birthplace of the first unified Thai state and Tera Vaada Buddhism. Founded in 1238, the Sukhothai Kingdom thrived under King Ram Kam Hang, who invented the Thai alphabet and promoted prosperity. The royal temple, Wat Maharat, features unique Buddha statues and a 17-meter tall Buddha for meditation. The town annually hosts the Loi Krathong festival, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river in honor of the Great King.

Takeaways

🏰 The historic town of Sukhothai is located 400 kilometers north of Bangkok and was the capital of the first unified Thai kingdom.
🌟 Sukhothai Kingdom was founded in 1238 and was strictly Buddhist, playing a significant role in the spread of Theravada Buddhism.
🏛 Wat Mahathat is the royal temple of Sukhothai, featuring ten-meter-high pillars and Buddha images, with unique carvings depicting Buddha's interaction with people.
🔥 The Buddha's ashes are believed to be stored at the central prang of Wat Mahathat, symbolizing the sacredness of the site.
📜 King Ramkhamhaeng, the third king of Sukhothai, invented the Thai alphabet and inscribed a stone monument detailing the kingdom's prosperity.
🌾 The Sukhothai Kingdom flourished under King Ramkhamhaeng's rule, with advancements in religion, agriculture, and economy.
🗿 A 17-meter high statue of Buddha, known as the 'Watching Buddha,' is a prominent feature at the end of a narrow corridor, designed to meet the gaze of visitors.
🛕 The Watcharot Temple houses the giant Buddha statue, with a rectangular window beside its head, allowing visitors to see the statue's profile.
🎉 Sukhothai hosts the Loi Krathong festival annually, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng.
🌌 The festival's tradition of floating lanterns dates back 700 years, reflecting the enduring cultural practices of the region.

Q & A

What is the significance of the town of Sukhothai in Thai history?
-Sukhothai is significant as it was the site of Thailand's first unified state, the Sukhothai Kingdom, founded in 1238.
What is the religious orientation of the Sukhothai Kingdom?
-The Sukhothai Kingdom was strictly Buddhist.
What is the Royal Temple of Wat Mahathat known for?
-Wat Mahathat is known for its ten-meter high pillars aligned around an image of Buddha walking, and Buddha statues adorning the base of the central prang.
What is unique about the carvings at Wat Mahathat?
-The carvings depict Buddha descending from the heavens and coming into contact with ordinary people, a form that appears in no other Buddhist monument.
How many kings reigned during the Sukhothai dynasty?
-Six kings reigned during the 200-year Sukhothai dynasty.
Who was the third king of the Sukhothai Kingdom, and what is he known for?
-The third king was Ramkhamhaeng, known for inventing the Thai alphabet and ruling during the kingdom's heyday.
What does the stone monument inscribed in the Thai alphabet depict?
-The stone monument depicts how the country prospered religiously, agriculturally, and economically under King Ramkhamhaeng's rule.
What is the significance of the 17-meter high statue of Buddha at Wat Mahathat?
-The statue is designed in a way that its eyes meet the eyes of people standing below, creating a space for meditation and contemplation.
How is the statue of Buddha at Wat Mahathat viewed by visitors?
-Visitors can see the Buddha's face in profile as they proceed through a narrow passage, with a rectangular window carved into the wall beside the giant Buddha's head.
What is the Loi Krathong festival, and how is it celebrated in Sukhothai?
-The Loi Krathong festival is celebrated by floating lotus flower-shaped lanterns down the river to please the Great King Ramkhamhaeng, a tradition that dates back 700 years.
What is the legend associated with the giant Buddha's head at Wat Mahathat?
-Legend has it that King Ramkhamhaeng spoke to his people from a spot beside the giant Buddha's head, where a rectangular window has been carved into the wall.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Sukhothai: The Birthplace of Thai Unification and Teravada Buddhism

The script introduces Sukhothai, a historic town located 400 kilometers north of Bangkok, as the birthplace of Thai unification and Teravada Buddhism. Established in 1238, the Sukhothai Kingdom was Thailand's first unified state with a strong Buddhist influence. The Royal Temple, Wat Mahathat, is highlighted with its ten-meter high pillars surrounding a Buddha statue, depicting scenes of Buddha descending from the heavens and interacting with the people. The temple is also known for its prang, a structure believed to house Buddha's ashes. The script mentions the six kings who reigned during the 200-year dynasty, with a particular focus on King Ramkhamhaeng, who invented the Thai alphabet and is credited with the kingdom's prosperity in religion, agriculture, and economy. A stone monument inscribed in Thai alphabet details the country's flourishing under his rule. The script also describes a 17-meter high Buddha statue at the end of a narrow corridor, designed to make eye contact with visitors, and a legend about the King addressing his people from this spot. The script concludes with a description of the annual Loi Krathong festival, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng, a tradition that has continued for 700 years.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tera vaada Buddhism

Tera vaada Buddhism, also known as Theravada Buddhism, is one of the major branches of Buddhism. It emphasizes the teachings of the historical Buddha and the importance of personal enlightenment. In the video, the historic town of Sukhothai is mentioned as a place where this form of Buddhism was strictly practiced, highlighting its historical and cultural significance in the region.

💡Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a historic town in Thailand, approximately 400 kilometers north of Bangkok. It was the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, which was founded in 1238 and is considered Thailand's first unified state. The town is central to the video's theme as it was the epicenter of the Sukhothai Kingdom and a stronghold of Theravada Buddhism.

💡Sukhothai Kingdom

The Sukhothai Kingdom was a significant historical state in Thailand, founded in 1238. It was the first kingdom to unify the region and played a crucial role in the spread of Theravada Buddhism. The kingdom's legacy is evident in the architectural and cultural heritage showcased in the video, such as the Royal Temple of Wat Mahathat.

💡Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat is the royal temple of the Sukhothai Kingdom and is featured in the video. It is known for its large ten-meter-high pillars and Buddha images. The temple is a significant religious and historical site, illustrating the deep connection between the Sukhothai Kingdom and Theravada Buddhism.

💡Buddha walking

The term 'Buddha walking' refers to a specific image of Buddha depicted in the Royal Temple of Wat Mahathat. This image is unique to the temple and shows Buddha descending from the heavens and interacting with ordinary people, which is a theme that is central to the video's exploration of the religious art and symbolism of the Sukhothai period.

💡King Ramkamhaeng

King Ramkamhaeng was the third king of the Sukhothai Kingdom and is noted for his contributions to the kingdom's prosperity. The video mentions a stone monument inscribed in the Thai alphabet, which he invented, and depicts the flourishing of the kingdom under his rule. His reign is a key period in the narrative of the video, showcasing the cultural and religious zenith of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

💡LOI Krathong festival

The LOI Krathong festival is an annual event celebrated in Sukhothai, where lanterns in the shape of lotus flowers are floated down the river. This festival is highlighted in the video as a cultural tradition that has been maintained for centuries, symbolizing the continuity of Sukhothai's cultural heritage and its connection to the past.

💡Great King Ramkamhaeng

The Great King Ramkamhaeng is a revered figure in Thai history, particularly in the context of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The video mentions that the people of Sukhothai float lotus lanterns to please him, indicating his enduring legacy and the respect he commands even centuries after his reign.

💡Meditation space

The video describes a meditation space within the temple complex, characterized by a 17-meter high statue of Buddha and a narrow corridor leading to it. This space is designed to facilitate contemplation and spiritual connection, with the Buddha's eyes meeting those of the meditator, creating an intimate and profound experience.

💡Stone walls

The stone walls mentioned in the video are part of the architectural design of the meditation space. They are three meters thick and feature a rectangular window that allows visitors to view the Buddha's face in profile. These walls not only serve a structural purpose but also contribute to the solemn and contemplative atmosphere of the space.

Highlights

The origins of Tera Vaada Buddhism are discussed in relation to the historic town of Sukhothai.

Sukhothai is located 400 kilometers north of Bangkok.

The Sukhothai Kingdom, founded in 1238, was Thailand's first unified state.

The kingdom was strictly Buddhist, indicating a strong religious identity.

Wat Maharat is the royal temple and the largest in Sukhothai.

The temple features ten-meter-high pillars aligned around an image of Buddha walking.

Buddhas adorn the base of the central prank, where Buddha's ashes are said to have been stored.

Carvings depict Buddha descending from the heavens and interacting with ordinary people, a unique form in Buddhist monuments.

The Sukhothai dynasty lasted for 200 years and reached its peak under King Ram Kam Hang.

A stone monument inscribed in the Thai alphabet, invented by King Ram Kam Hang, details the kingdom's prosperity.

The country prospered religiously, agriculturally, and economically under King Ram Kam Hang's rule.

A 17-meter high statue of Buddha is a prominent feature at the end of a narrow corridor.

The space for meditation is surrounded by stone walls, creating a serene environment.

The Buddha statue's design ensures that its eyes meet the eyes of people standing below.

A rectangular window beside the Buddha's head allows visitors to see the statue's face in profile.

Legend has it that King Ram Kam Hang spoke to his people from this location.

Sukhothai hosts the Loi Krathong festival annually, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river.

The lanterns float across the water as a tribute to the Great King Ram Kam Hank, a tradition dating back 700 years.