The Lanna Buddhist custom known as Tang Tham Luang means listening to the grand sermon reciting the last life of the Bodhisattva. The popular episode of Vessandon comprises 13 episodes. The word "tang" means beginning. So the phrase "tang tham luang" could mean listening to the sermon from the new version of the Buddhist scripture. This activity coincides with the Thet Mahachat of the Central region. It is usually held during the full moon day of the second month of the lunar calendar. Since it involves preparation of the place and the audience, it is considered one of the most important activities equal to that of Salakaphat merit making. Therefore, it becomes a common practice that a temple that plans to have a Salakaphat event in that year will not arrange to have this Tang Tham Luang in the same year and vice versa. This is because either of the two ceremonies requires a lot of coordination and dedication from the villagers (Manee Phayomyong, 2000, 254; Udom Rungroengsi, 1999, pp.2340 – 2341).
Besides the Vessandorn story, some other long episodes can be selected for the sermon depending on the decision of the temple and its members. One of the substitutes is Thosachat Jataka or Panyasa Jataka. However, the most popular is the Jataka story of Mahachat or Vessandon Jataka (Vessantra). People believe that one who has listened to all 13 of the episodes will be born in the time of the next Bhuddha or Phra Si Ariyamettai. The following is an excerpt about the sermon on the merit from listening to the Vessandon Jataka.
"Pucha pake techayanti ten punyasat pake. It is said that any person having listened to the sermon of Maha Vessandon Jataka will become a ruler of the human realm and will receive a high and noble rank and possess an abundance of elephants and horses as well as sweet musical playing of all kinds of drums and lyres whether in his sleep or awake. He will be surrounded by servants to accommodate him in whichever way he wishes. He will continually acquire great wealth of clothing, silver, gold, as well as precious stones. His storage houses will be filled with rice and grain to the point of overflowing. Whatever he wishes will be granted. He will be prosperous. In the time of the incarnation of Ariyamettai or the next Buddha, he will have the chance to hear and appreciate his wisdom and be granted with the great opportunity of meeting him in person and, because of his merit gained from listening to the recitation of the Vessandon Jataka sermon, to be presented hereby, he will surely attain the most desirable nirvana."
The Malai Sutta also mentions that the time when the great priest went to pay respect to Phra Katekaeo Chulamani in the Daodueng Heaven, he has a chance to meet with Ariyamettai and he told the great priest to encourage the people to listen to all 13 episodes of the Mahachat sermon in one day and one night so that they would be able to live during his coming time. Since then the people have agreed to try to accumulate their merit from listening to the grand sermon of Thet Mahachat as the great abbot, Phramalai, advised them to do.
Any other sermon besides the Mahachat is usually arranged for within three days' preaching whereas the Vessandon episode or Mahachat sermon would last 7 days by dividing up the sermon and the second day is for the Khathaphan sermon. After that comes the preaching of other episodes until the last day when they preach Malai Ton, Malai Plai and Anisong Mahachat and during the dawn of the last day they will begin to preach the Mahachat from the Thtosapon episode until they finish all 13 of the episodes, which will be around the evening time. Then they will wrap up with the sermon Phutthaphisek Pathomsomphot and the chanting of the seven legends in brief followed by Thammachak Kappawattasutta and the Phuthaphisek chant. In the present time, they prefer to finish the sermon in one day.
The Buddhist devotee has to offer to sponsor a monk to preach a particular episode of the sermon. This is called "kin kan". The Lanna style of chanting is called "rabam" and the northern dialect for the word "kan" (episode) is "phuk". Because of its popularity, many Lanna scholars have composed several Lanna versions of Thet Mahachat. It is believed that there are as many as 150 versions like Wingwon Noi, Wingwon Luang, Wingwon Klang, Hingkaeo Manawon, Tha Paen, Rimdong, Soisangkon, Langchan Wiangchan, Phukamm, Phrangam, Mae Ku, Meuang Hang, Phra Singha, Khomkham, Chiang Khong, Namdantho, Phaichae Riodaeng, Phlaokuaibai, Phlaonum, Chalalao, Inglonglao, Pasanglao, Sapaonoi, etc. the most popular version at this time is the Soisangkon version composed by Phra Ubali Khunupamachan (Fu Uttasiwo) who compiled several outstanding versions into a new version. The version that is written in Pali is Khattaphan and the translated version of this is called "Chariya".
Before the preaching, time the novices and villagers have to join hands at least one month in advance to prepare for it. Several procedures involve such things as "toktham" which is inviting a monk who has a good voice to preach, decorating the place, building a special kind of fence called a "ruarathcawat," a forest gate decorated with coconut leaves, a tiered umbrella, banners, banana tree trunks, sugar cane and galangal stalks to imitate the forest in the Vessandon Jataka story depicting the scene when Vessandon was expelled from his city with the queen and his children and had to live a secluded life like a hermit to build up merit. When he reached the forest gate, the hunter named Jetabut, who guarded the gate, directed him to go to Wongkot Mountain. Sometimes they reproduced the scene by making a labyrinth in the temple compound for people to relive the experience. They place a big shrine with a Buddha image in the middle of the labyrinth (Khao Wongkot) for people who could not find the way out to pray for the miracle to get them out, which appears to be great fun for those who participate in the ceremony.
The place for the sermon is usually the vihan, which is decorated with things related to the Vessandon story like lotus flowers, water lilies, triangle flag stands decorated with figures made by cutting paper into elephants, horses, bulls, buffalos, male and female servants, precious stones, rings, money and gold (about 100 pictures each). The pillars inside the vihan are decorated with lanterns (khomphat) depicting scenes from Vessandon as well. They also make a special device for hanging lanterns that can be pulled up or down and this kind of lantern is called "khomlo" (since "lo" refers to the pulley used to reel the lanterns up or down during the worship with offerings of prathits).
The preaching chair is decorated with curtains and strings of flowers. One thousand flowers are put in a special container made from woven bamboo or hapdok. The flowers are referred to as sahatsabupphani for paying respect to the Dhamma and the 1,000 Jataaka verses (Phrakhata) or sahatsakatha. Popular kinds of flowers used in the ceremony are magnolias, Indian cork, salapee (Ochrocarpus siamensis), etc.; most of them are fragrant, rendering a pleasant atmosphere of the Himalayan forest where Prince Vessandon spent time meditating. In the present day, they opt for using potted plants and flowers to make it more beautiful.
A big bowl of lustral water with some sesame oil or coconut oil is placed at the side of the presidential Buddha image in the vihan. A white string is tied to the image and linked three times to the preaching chair and the lustral water bowl before circling back to the preaching chair again for the monk to hold while preaching the Jataka. It is believed that the miraculous power of the preaching will make the water become sacred and able to heal all kinds of wounds and relieve one of pain, aches, itching or even prevent any sharp weapon from cutting any part of his body.
Information concerning the procedure of the Grand Sermon (Tang Tham Luang) is obtained from the Encyclopedea of Northern Thai Culture (1999, 2356), Manee Phayomyong (2004, 260), Chkiat Wongrak (1996, p.2356) and Phrakhru Adunsilakit (Thanwuttho) (personal communication, Nov. 4, 2008).
The First Day The sermon is usually set for the second month of the lunar calendar on the 14th waxing moon around 3.00 p.m. Villagers come together to listen to the Khathaphan sermon relating the story of Vessandon Jataka preached by the Buddha in Pali of 1,000 verses. The next ones to be preached are Malai Ton, Malai Plai, Anisong Vessantra and Thamkhaiwibak Vessantra. The Khataphan or Sahatsakatha is composed in Pali using a variety of poetic forms. This part gives the summary of the Vessandon story. The Kamphai Malai Ton tells about the revered monk named Malai a Sri Lankan enlightened one who visited hell and met the Lord of Death (PHaya Yommarat) and saw many creatures of hell. The Lord of Death told the monk that making merit, listening to the sermons and dedicating the merit to the dead could release those in hell from suffering. The Kamphi Malai Plai tells about Phra Malai's journey to heaven where he met Ariyamettai who will be the next enlightened one or Buddha. Phra Malai inquired about how he could share the religion with Ariyamettai (to live in the same era), to which Ariyamettai suggested he listen to the entire preaching of the Mahachat. Tham Anisong Vessantra and Tham about the hardship of Vessandon is the Dhamma that deals with all kinds of merit to be gained from listening to the preaching of Mahachat which includes those being born in the same era as Ariyamettai. It also gives the account of various incarnations and the lives of Vessandon, Matsi, Kanha, Chali and Chuchok, all leading to the story of the Vessandon Jataka or the incarnation before the coming of the Lord Buddha.
The Second Day this is the 15th waxing moon of Duean Yi. At the break of dawn people begin to listen to the Mahachat sermon preaching beginning from the Thosapon episode followed by the rest in order until they take a break by giving alms of food and have the monks eat lunch around 11.00 a.m. after that, the sermon resumes again to the last episode. All hosts and other devotees can listen to the sermon together or they can choose to listen to the episode that matches their birth year in the same way as it is supposed to be for life extension purposes. When it comes to the episode that one is a host, one will light a candle and incense stick (phang pratit) with the same number of the verses in that particular episode as follows:
1. Kan Thosapon contains 19 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Rat (chai)
2. Kan Himaphan contains 134 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Bull (pao)
3. Than Kan contains 209 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Tiger (khan)
4. Kan Prawet contains 57 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Rabbit (mao)
5. Kan Chuchok contains 79 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Big serpent (marong)
6. Kan Chunphon contains 15 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Small serpent (maseng)
7. Kan Mahaphon contains 80 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Horse (mamia)
8. Kan Kuman contains 10 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Goat (mamae)
9. Kan Matsi contains 90 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Monkey (wok)
10. Kan Sakkaban contains 43 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Cock (kai)
11. Kan Maharat contains 69 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Dog (sat)
12. Kan Chakasat contains 39 verses, prescribed for the year of the
Pig (kun)
13. Nakhon Kan contains 48 verses, prescribed for everybody
Co-hosted by everybody.
The summary of each episode is taken from the work of Prof. Manee Phayomyong (2004, 261-262).
Episode 1 is called Kan Thosapon. It narrates the event when Queen Pussadi asked for the ten blessings from the god Indra before she reincarnated on earth as the mother of Vessandon.
Episode 2 is called Kan Himaphan. It tells about the birth of Vessandon up to his marriage to Princess Matsi who was the daughter of a king of Matharat up until they left their city to lead a secluded life in the Himalayan forest.
Episode 3 is called Than Kan, which contains the description of Sattasadok Mahatthan when Vessandon gave his city and his horse carriage to someone who asked for them.
Episode 4 is called Wanaprawet giving an account of the four princes and princesses in exile until they reached the city of Matanrat where the city ruler, Phaya Chetatar offered to let him rule his city but Vessandon declined the offer.
Episode 5 is called Kan Chuchok. This episode (kan) deals with the beggar named Chuchok who asked for Amittada, Vessandon's daughter, to be his wife. Then he asked for his two sons Kanha and Chali to be his servants. After that Chuchok the Brahmin beggar went into the labyrinth or the maze mountain and came across Jetabut, the hunter, who guarded the entrance to the Himalayas.
Episode 6 is called Kan Chonlaphon and tells of when Jetabut was tricked by Chuchok to reveal to him the path through the maze mountain to Khao Wongkot.
Episode 7 is called Kan Mahaphon giving an account of Chuchok's meeting Ajutta, the hermit, who showed the way to Khao Wongkot. This episode is filled with a long description of the forest and streams as well as all kinds of plants along the path.
Episode 8 is called Kan Kuman, the episode of when Chuchok reached Khao Wangkot to ask for Kanha and Chali. The two young princes were so scared that they went to hind in a pond when Vessandon called them out and talked them into agreeing and going with Chuchok. The hermit beggar beat them up and dragged them along.
Episode 9 is Kan Matsi who was so overwhelmed with grief when returning from picking fruit in the forest and discovering that she has lost her two sons and then fainted.
Episode 10 is Kan Sakkaban which tells about when the god Indra in disguise came to ask for Matsi. And Vessandon also gave her to the god but then the god gave her back because he did so just to test him. Then Vessandon asked for an 8-fold blessing from Indra.
Episode 11 is Kan Maharat where Chuchok got lost and took the two sons of Vessandon to the city of Siphi whose ruler was King Sanchai. The king agreed to redeem the two princes by offering Chuchok 100 pieces of each of the things Chuchok demanded and he gave Chuchok a great feast which Chuchok gorged himself on until his stomach burst and he finally died. Then King Sanchai prepared to go and invite Vessandon and Matsi to his city.
Episode 12 is called Kan Chakasat. It relates the story about the reunion of the six kings in which they were so overwhelmed with joy that they fainted. So, the god Indra had to send Bokkhoraphan (rain) to revive them all.
Episode 13 is the Nakhon Kan (during the preaching of this episode some people will throw puffed rice and rice grains which is supposed to be the symbol of rain or Asttarattanathara throughout the city to encourage the people to ggive alms and sacrifice offerings as long as they live.
Among the 13 episodes, there are some that people prefer more than others and they expect the preacher to have a special quality of tone of voice to enhance the preaching to be more pleasant to hear.
1, Kan Chuchok should go with a low and deep voice.
2. Kan Matsi should go with a woman’s voice.
3. Kan Kuman should go with a soft, clear and gentle voice.
4. Kan Sakkapan should be the same as that of Matsi and Kuman.
5. Kan Maharat should be done with a deep, powerful voice.
6. Kan Chakasat should be in a child’s voice or have a very young novice do the preaching.
7. Nakhon Kan should be preached in deep echoing voice.
At the beginning of the preaching, the monk who is assigned to do the preaching is expected to introduce it with a poetic form known as "kap" by adding a brief story or event relevant to the story of that episode. The popular one are Kap Sitharot , Kap Phimpaphilap, Kap Sinha. Those with a deep, low voice are preferred for the moral messages like Kap Thosaphitratchatham and Kap Tamsongsan, in particular, Kan Chuchok, in which the preacher often adds an account about Chuchok's birth story. When the introductory recitation of the Kap finishes, the actual preaching of the kan or the scripture will start.
When the episode ends each time, they will insert the closing kap to summarize the content of the episode. At the end of the very last episode or Khon Kan, they usually conclude it by reviewing the names of all 12 of the kans and the summary of the whole Vessandon stories from the first kan to the last one; that is, from Kan Tosapon to Nakhon Kan.
Outstanding monks with a good quality voice are often invited to a kind of competition to preach the Jataka sermon of such favorite episodes as Matsi, Kuman, Maharat. The monks take turns in a kind of relay sermon. That is when one finishes preaching an episode, another one will preach the next. This is different from the practice in the Central region when monks just alternate the preaching even in the same episode. This way if makes it almost impossible to finish all of them in one day and one night. Sometimes when they reach the last episode of Nakhon Kan, the sun of the next morning is just beginning to appear over the horizon causing the lay devotees to quickly close the door of the vihan to prevent the sunlight from coming in.
The invocation chant to start the grand sermon of the 13 episodes of the Vessandon Jataka contains an invitation for the monk to preach. Some Lanna scholars have composed the words for this in many versions. The examples given here are taken from the Book on Ancient Traditions by Mr. Thawi Khueankaeo (2003).
(1st Episode – Tosapon)
Today is a great day where all devotees
Assemble for the Mahachat preaching
Since Khun Inthathirat allows Princess Phussadi
To be born with ten auspicious blessing.
May we invite the selected preacher
To be seated at the crystal chair
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(2nd Episode – Himmaphan)
Thassawonrakanthang paripunnang
Now that the first episode has ended,
We'd like to hear more.
From the Himmaphan one.
The one about giving away the white elephant to the Brahmin
When Khun Mueang Thai complained
To the King Father.
May we ask the disciple of the reverend Sak
To sit on the Crystal Chair
And begin the sermon now.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(3rd Episode – Than Kan)
Thamma Thesanang Himaphan
Now that the sermon of Himmaphan has ended
We want to hear more
About the sad Thannakan
When they cried and entreated Siphi Lord.
May we invite a revered monk
To ascend to the Crystal Chair
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(4th Episode – Wanapawet)
Thammang Thesanag Thammakan
Has come to the end.
Next is Wanapawet
The Mountain in the great forest
Where the King becomes a hermit
Residing near Kit Panna of Lasa.
May we invite another
To ascend to the Crystal Chair and preach.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(5th Episode – Chuchok)
Thammathesanang Paripunnang
Again, we've finished the Wanapawet episode.
Now Old Chuchok wished for a young wife.
He wooed and begged for one.
May one more be invited to preach on the Crystal Chair.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(6th Episode – Chunlapon)
Thus ends the Chuchok Kan
And comes the Chulaphon journey
Where Jetabut, the hunter's directions
May another selected preacher there ascend to the Crystal Chair
To kindly do the preaching.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(7th Episode – Mahaphon)
Now the Chunwana is finished.
And here comes the delightful Mahaphon
Where Atchutarasi tells the Brahmin
Of all kinds of flora and fauna
May the next monk come
And ascend the sermon chair.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(8th Episode – Kumanban)
Mahawanang nitathitang
The sermon has ceased.
Now is Kumanban.
So sad is the story of Kanha – Chali
Who are given to the Brahmin.
Mother Matsi couldn't come back in time.
Both princes prayed for the angel to deliver the news
To their dear mother
To quickly return while they were so desperate.
They sob and cry till rivers and streams
Fill with their tears as they're dying in anguish.
Therefore, please come over, you prominent preachers
Who are assigned for this episode.
And don't leave out either the Kap Ton or Plai ones
We have the strong faith to listen to this episode
And do repeat 2-3-4 times the good parts
And take some rest if you get tired or hungry
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(9th Episode – Matsi)
Kuman pappang nitthitang has finally ended
Now is the turn for the Matsi Kan
As the young mother is missing her sons.
Knowing not their whereabouts,
She searches through the forests and places,
And her grief builds to death
When suddenly echoes of her husband's call
Which revives her senses to life.
So, please quickly come to the Crystal Chair
And preach the best you've practiced.
And take a break for snacks and drinks.
After 2-3-4 sets of narration.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(10th Episode – Sakkapan)
Matthipappang nitthitang
Once again it ends.
We're delighted to have Sakkapan next.
Vessandon's alms giving is venerable.
Worthy of praise by all.
Even Indra from heaven came down
For Matsi, his dearest wife.
May we invite you to preach
While seated at the Crystal Chair
To satisfy our faith and desire
To listen to another episode.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(11th Episode – Maharat)
Sakaban have we listened to through to the end
And now comes the great Maharat episode
When the Brahmin takes the Elephant King's sons
Through the thicket and rugged jungle.
Angels have made the wicked man become lost
And come to a city's territory.
That night King Sanchai dreams
Of an old dark man with a lotus in his hands.
We can wait no more to hear it.
So, please begin with both the first and the last verses.
Please reveal the Buddha's Dhamma
To enlighten our world.
Make it all clear and dry
To all the faithful audience
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(12th Episode – Chakhatti-Chakasat)
Maharat Kan Nitthitand has ended now.
Now comes the fall of all six of the royal ones
In the Himawan forest near a priest's habitat.
Please be quick to take your place on the Crystal Chair
Tell us of delightful scenes
Of 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 at least
Till hunger strikes and then we can rest.
Don't be obstinate with our demand.
Please recite the poetic account
To arouse our joyous faith.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
(13th Episode – Nakhon Kan)
Chathattiyapappang nitthitang to the end.
Now comes the Nakhon Kan and the last one.
When the king has left the priesthood,
He rides on an elephant with crystal tusks
And proceeds to his city.
The god Indra sends the blessing of rain.
But we want to hear more sermons
If you add more to it like Kap plai
And summarize the entire thing
For all men and women, young and old.
They remain seated and wait for more
So we'll be clear and grasp everything
That you have learned and shared
In all your preaching of the Dhamma.
Thammang anukampi mang pachang
Arathanang karom...
Eng
