Phra Mae Thorani

Thorani or Vasu (s) Dhara [Note 1] is a Buddhist earth goddess who is worshiped in parts of Southeast Asia.

According to legend, she was present when the Bodhisattva ( Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha ) attained enlightenment. You should have helped the Bodhisattva against the evil demon Mara, who wanted to prevent him from enlightenment. She wrung the water flows out of her hair, the Mara and his army wegspülten.

The figure plays a role in the popular religion of the Theravada Buddhist countries of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma and southern China Xishuangbanna District ( Sipsong Panna ). However, it is not detectable in the religious texts of Theravada Buddhism. They merely says that the Bodhisattva during his struggle with the evil demon touched the earth, and called as a witness against Mara. This is probably the starting point for the emergence of the figure of the Thorani.

In Buddhist iconography Southeast Asia Thorani is often kneeling, presented at the base of the Vajrasana, the throne on which the Bodhisattva sits while he attains enlightenment. In some pictures, she wears the Vajrasana on her head. Thorani is accompanied in many depictions of her attribute, a crocodile.

Note

Gallery

Mural at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Fountain of Phra Mae Thorani in Bangkok, Thailand.