THE PROMOTING THE TRADITION OF BATHING BUDDHA’S PHRE THAT DOI TUNG IN CHIANG RAI

Abstract

The objective of this article is to present the history and historical backgrounds of Phra That Doi Tung, and to present to approach of Promote the tradition of bathing buddha’s Phra That Doi Tung in Chiang Rai. Phrathat Doi Tung has two pagodas but they were built in the different time. The first one was built in the reign of king Ajuttaraj, the third king of Yonok kingdom while the second one in the reign of King Phaya Meng Rai Narraj, the fourth king of the same kingdom. Thus, the two pagodas appeared to be present on Doi Tung until today. Soon the full moon night of the fourth month (or the sixth month of the north), Buddhists will organize the tradition of pouring water to the Phrathat every year. Doing this is said to preserve and promote this important tradition of Chiangrai province including to encourage tourism industy in Chiangrai to be more popular as well.