Wong Phra Thammachak Inscription

Name other

L.B. 6

Script

Pallava

Date

12th Buddhist century

Language

Pali

Face/Line

1 face ; contains 1 line of writing

Material

stone

Form

Dharmacakra

Size

20.5 cm. width ; 32 cm. height

Found at

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Tha Hin Locality, Mueang District, Lop Buri Province

Exhibited

Somdet Phra Narai National Museum, Tha Hin Locality, Mueang District, Lop Buri Province

Description

The content inscribed on parts of this inscription is incomplete, and simply represent short Gathas or verses. It is assumed that the once intact inscription had Gathas inscribed all around the wheel, post and base, similar to other Dharmacakra inscriptions discovered in other areas of the former Dvaravati culture. However, when considering the remaining Gathas on this inscription, it has been discovered that they are the same as those found on the Dharmacakra in Manorom district, Chai Nat province (Ch.N.14) or on the Dharmacakra Inscription 2 (Manorom); that is to say, they all contain extracts of Ghatas from the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.

Reference

Edited by : The Insctriptions in Thailand Database Project Staffs (2552 B.E.), SAC, from :
1) Thoem Mitem and Prasan Bunprakhong, “Inscription on the Wheel of Dharmacakra,” in The early ancient inscription found at Lop Buri Province and the vicinity (Bangkok : The Fine Arts Department, FAD, 2524), 5-6 (in Thai).
2) Thoem Mitem, “Inscription on the Wheel of Dharmacakra,” in The Inscriptions in Thailand volume 1 : Pallava and Post-Pallava Script, 12th-14th Buddhist century (Bangkok : The National Library of Thailand, NLT, 2529), 123-125 (in Thai).
3) Suchip Punyanuphap, Tripitaka for public, 16th edition (Bangkok : Mahamakut Buddhist University, MBU, 2529), 213 (in Thai).
4) Cha-em Kaeokhlai, “Appendix : The Dharmacakra and Octagon Pillar Inscription,” in Archaeology of Mueang U Taphao (Bangkok : Archaeological site exploration, The Technical Side, Archaeology Division, The Fine Arts Department, FAD, 2534), 178-181 (in Thai).
5) Mahamakut Buddhist University, MBU, Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta,” in Vinaya Piṭaka volume 4, Mahāvagga Part 1, and Atthakathā, 3rd edition (Bangkok : Mahamakut Buddhist University, MBU, 2536), 46-47 (in Thai).

Illustrations

Photograph from : The Inscriptions in Thailand volume 1 : Pallava and Post-Pallava Script, 12th-14th Buddhist century (Bangkok : The National Library of Thailand, NLT, 2529)