help needed to translate inscription from Siam

tuancd · 26th April 2005, 02:45 PM

Hi everyone
I need to translate the following inscription
It should be in Thaï, maybe archaic . It belongs to a Buddha. I know it's not a weapon but I hope somebody from this forum can help.

I know that usually it gives a date and an era, It might also give the name of a temple…
Thanks

Mark · 26th April 2005, 04:19 PM

I do believe that it is Thai, though Khmer is a possibility since the Thai script is derived from that. Unfortunately I cannot translate it. Maybe Khung Deng (AKA Dan) will be able to once he resurfaces.

tuancd · 2nd May 2005, 12:53 PM

Really, there's not one person in the forum who can give a little help?
Thanks anyway

tom hyle · 2nd May 2005, 01:54 PM

I guess not. That is an odd statue, though, no? Does it have a medical connection, or what's with the blood vessels?

Jens Nordlunde · 2nd May 2005, 02:12 PM

Can you get a better picture of the text?
I know someone who may be able to translate it - only maybe.

Mark · 2nd May 2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

I guess not. That is an odd statue, though, no? Does it have a medical connection, or what's with the blood vessels?

No, it is simply an emaciated ascetic. Skeletal figures like these are not uncommon, and are depictions that are supposed to engender admiration (and hopefully emulation) in the viewer of the ascetic's ability to transcend things of the flesh like hunger, sleep, etc. I can't say that I have seen one with these prominant veins, but I am sure it is all just part of the theme.

Andrew · 2nd May 2005, 11:39 PM

The interesting thing (to me, anyway) about the statue is that it depicts Buddha as an ascetic. This was a path the Buddha pursued prior to enlightenment, and abandoned.

A very unusual and beautiful statue. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could help with the translation, but please update us if you find out more.

Andrew

tuancd · 3rd May 2005, 01:19 AM

thanks Andrew

Yes it's the ascetic buddha. I will update when I get more info.
Seven years of fasting and that's the result...
And still he is some how still beatifull, and a pleasant friend in the gallery. That's also why I'd like to know some more about him. Thanks

Andrew · 3rd May 2005, 03:16 AM

Tuancd, I'll be seeing a Thai friend of mine sometime this week, and I'll try to print out the text for her to look at. She's Buddhist as well, and is excited to see photos of this statue.

Can you provide any provenance for it?

Best,
Andrew

Conogre · 5th May 2005, 09:21 AM

Recent evidence seems to point to some Bhuddist monks intentionally adapting a lifestyle so that upon death their bodies are already well along the path of mummification and that this has been occurring for a considerable length of time, if any of the programming on mummies from the "History Channel" is to be believed.
Apparently some Bhuddist sects view the "natural" preservation of the body in death in a light similar to the old Catholic views that made it one of the requirements for sainthood at one time.
Could this be connected to this belief/practice in any way?
Mike

Mark · 5th May 2005, 10:28 PM

That is possible. An incorruptable body is considered a sign of holiness in Buddhism (maybe not all sects). I would venture to say that the idea of pre-preserving the body before death grew out of the more basic practice of fasting in order to overcome one's physical nature. A central tenant of Buddhism is that the physical world is false (not evil, just not the true Reality), and a distraction and impediment to one's attaining Nirvana. A major focus of Buddhist asceticism was to divorce one's mind and spirit from the physical needs and sensations of the world, to better focus on and perceive the real, spiritual, world. It is likely that the incorruptability of a body after death is seen perhaps as the ultimate (or very high degree anyway) of triumphs over the physical -- even one's dead body is free of the corrupting influence of the physical world.

And Buddhists don't like swords, oddly enough. And there is no sword visible in this statue. How interesting ... and ethnographic ... and weapon-related. [Deparately trying to keep the thread from spinning COMPLETELY off into the outer reaches of OT-land.

]

tuancd · 10th May 2005, 11:29 PM

Hi guys
Thanks to everybody
here's the translation for those who wanted it
The sentences
> mean " B.E.(the Buddhist Era) 2461, Mr. Nuj and Ms. Jid have
> contributed the buddha image and have dedicated to Ms. Ju.They wish
> she will reach nirvana.
Not much
but there is the date which still needs to be tranfered in JC calendar (any help will be appreciated)

Ian · 11th May 2005, 12:40 AM

tuancd:

I believe that your B.E. date of 2461 translates to about 1920 A.D. in the Christian Era. That seems rather recent for such a statue, but perhaps not.

Ian.

Mark · 11th May 2005, 12:28 PM

2461 BE would be either 1918 or 1917, depending on where you are. Generally one subtracts 544 years, but in some countries (e.g., Thailand) 543 is subtracted. Since this is a Thai piece, it is most likely 1918.

26th April 2005, 02:45 PM	#1
tuancd Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paris - Bruxelles Posts: 32	help needed to translate inscription from Siam Hi everyone I need to translate the following inscription It should be in Thaï, maybe archaic . It belongs to a Buddha. I know it's not a weapon but I hope somebody from this forum can help. I know that usually it gives a date and an era, It might also give the name of a temple… Thanks Attached Images

26th April 2005, 04:19 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I do believe that it is Thai, though Khmer is a possibility since the Thai script is derived from that. Unfortunately I cannot translate it. Maybe Khung Deng (AKA Dan) will be able to once he resurfaces.

2nd May 2005, 12:53 PM	#3
tuancd Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paris - Bruxelles Posts: 32	Really, there's not one person in the forum who can give a little help? Thanks anyway

2nd May 2005, 01:54 PM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I guess not. That is an odd statue, though, no? Does it have a medical connection, or what's with the blood vessels?

2nd May 2005, 02:12 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Can you get a better picture of the text? I know someone who may be able to translate it - only maybe.

2nd May 2005, 11:39 PM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	The interesting thing (to me, anyway) about the statue is that it depicts Buddha as an ascetic. This was a path the Buddha pursued prior to enlightenment, and abandoned. A very unusual and beautiful statue. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could help with the translation, but please update us if you find out more. Andrew

3rd May 2005, 01:19 AM	#8
tuancd Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paris - Bruxelles Posts: 32	thanks Andrew Yes it's the ascetic buddha. I will update when I get more info. Seven years of fasting and that's the result... And still he is some how still beatifull, and a pleasant friend in the gallery. That's also why I'd like to know some more about him. Thanks

3rd May 2005, 03:16 AM	#9
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Tuancd, I'll be seeing a Thai friend of mine sometime this week, and I'll try to print out the text for her to look at. She's Buddhist as well, and is excited to see photos of this statue. Can you provide any provenance for it? Best, Andrew

5th May 2005, 09:21 AM	#10
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Recent evidence seems to point to some Bhuddist monks intentionally adapting a lifestyle so that upon death their bodies are already well along the path of mummification and that this has been occurring for a considerable length of time, if any of the programming on mummies from the "History Channel" is to be believed. Apparently some Bhuddist sects view the "natural" preservation of the body in death in a light similar to the old Catholic views that made it one of the requirements for sainthood at one time. Could this be connected to this belief/practice in any way? Mike

5th May 2005, 10:28 PM	#11
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	That is possible. An incorruptable body is considered a sign of holiness in Buddhism (maybe not all sects). I would venture to say that the idea of pre-preserving the body before death grew out of the more basic practice of fasting in order to overcome one's physical nature. A central tenant of Buddhism is that the physical world is false (not evil, just not the true Reality), and a distraction and impediment to one's attaining Nirvana. A major focus of Buddhist asceticism was to divorce one's mind and spirit from the physical needs and sensations of the world, to better focus on and perceive the real, spiritual, world. It is likely that the incorruptability of a body after death is seen perhaps as the ultimate (or very high degree anyway) of triumphs over the physical -- even one's dead body is free of the corrupting influence of the physical world. And Buddhists don't like swords, oddly enough. And there is no sword visible in this statue. How interesting ... and ethnographic ... and weapon-related. [Deparately trying to keep the thread from spinning COMPLETELY off into the outer reaches of OT-land. ]

10th May 2005, 11:29 PM	#12
tuancd Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paris - Bruxelles Posts: 32	Hi guys Thanks to everybody here's the translation for those who wanted it The sentences > mean " B.E.(the Buddhist Era) 2461, Mr. Nuj and Ms. Jid have > contributed the buddha image and have dedicated to Ms. Ju.They wish > she will reach nirvana. Not much but there is the date which still needs to be tranfered in JC calendar (any help will be appreciated)

11th May 2005, 12:40 AM	#13
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	tuancd: I believe that your B.E. date of 2461 translates to about 1920 A.D. in the Christian Era. That seems rather recent for such a statue, but perhaps not. Ian.

11th May 2005, 12:28 PM	#14
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	2461 BE would be either 1918 or 1917, depending on where you are. Generally one subtracts 544 years, but in some countries (e.g., Thailand) 543 is subtracted. Since this is a Thai piece, it is most likely 1918.