help needed to translate inscription from Siam

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.

5th May 2005, 10:28 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,395	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	#4
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.