Did you know Series (19): iv) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating the Buddhist Jataka Tales (Part IV):

Did you know Series (19): Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating the Buddhist Jataka Tales (Part IV): 

(This is Part IV of a four-part article narrating four Jataka tales based on a set of stamps brought out by Thailand Post)

Stamps celebrating the Magh Puja Day issued in 1999:

The ten Jataka stories are narratives about the previous lives of Bodhisattva concerning his attaining of the ten perfections which he had been practicing before he was born in his final life as Prince Siddhartha. Having attained enlightenment, he became the Lord Buddha who taught all living creatures how to end all sufferings (or end of “Dukha”).

Maghapuja Day (“Four fold Sangha” or “Sangha” Day):

After residing for a few days at the Deer Park Sarnath (near Varanasi in present day province of Uttar Pradesh, India) during the first rains, the Buddha came to Rajagaha town. 

On learning that the Buddha was in town, about 1250 Arahants along with his two main disciples Sariputta and Moggalana assembled to pay him their respects at the “Veluvana” Monastery. To this gathering, the Buddha delivered his sermon on the “Patimokkha” (or the rules & regulations of the monastic order).

This assembly had four distinct features:

 Firstly, 1250 disciples came to see the Buddha that evening without being summoned by him.

Secondly, all of them were “Arhants” or “Enlightened Ones” and all were ordained by the Buddha himself.

Thirdly, The Buddha taught all these Arhants the Principles of Buddhism called the “ovadhapatimoksha” which essentially are – to desist from all evil, to do what is good, and to cleanse one’s mind.

 Lastly, the gathering took place on the full moon day of Magha month (March). 

Because of these factors, the festival is known as the Fourfold Assembly or Magha Puja or Sangha Day. 

Magha Puja day, thus, marks the four auspicious occasions which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Buddha at Veluvana Bamboo Grove near Rajagaha in Northern India.

The third lunar month in Pali (the language of the Buddha) is known as Magha (in Thai “Makha”). Puja is termed “Bucha” in Thai. Hence Magha Puja Day is referred to as “Magha Bucha” Day in Thai which is for veneration of the Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

In Thailand, in the evening of “Magha” or Full moon day, candle-light processions are held in temples, which are called “wian thian” (“Wian” means “to circle around” and “thian” means “ candle” – meaning to “circle around candles). Holding incense, lighted candles and flowers, the worshippers circle three times around the “phra ubosot” (meaning the “ordination hall”), each circle representing the three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. 

 Then, the worshippers go through special observances etc. called “tham bun”. They also pledge themselves to the Five Precepts, practicing Renunciation and observe the Eight Precepts, practice meditation and mental discipline and stay in temples wearing white robes for several days.

In addition to Thailand, this Puja (worship/celebration) is also held in other countries where Buddhism is followed. It is, therefore, an important Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of Magha in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand and on the full moon day of Phalguna in Burma. This Festival is celebrated to make the adherents to the Buddhist faith recommit themselves spiritually to the tenets of Buddhism viz.: not to commit any kind of sins, do only good, purify one’s mind. 

 The fourth & last set of the sixteen stamps album, celebrating Maghapuja Day & illustrating events from the Mahajanaka Jataka.The inscription below the stamps states “Important Buddhist Religious Day (Maghapuja Day) Postage Stamps 1999 illustrating the mural paintings of Majanaka Jataka: the birth of Mahajanaka, the sea goddess Manimekhala carrying Mahajanaka to Mithila City, the two mango trees & Mahajanaka founding an educational institution. These murals are from Wat (meaning “Temple”) Tha Sutthawat, Ang Thong Province.

Mahajanaka Jataka, (The Lost Prince) – The Perfection of Endeavour:

Mahajanaka was the King of Mithila in the kingdom of Videha. He had two sons – Aritthajanaka and Polajanaka. Upon the demise of the old king, Aritthajanaka became king and the younger brother his Prime minister. 

As time passed, the younger brother grew more popular and Aritthajanaka became fearful of his popularity and had his younger brother clapped in chains and thrown into prison. Polajanaka pleaded his innocence and miraculously his chains fell off and he managed to escape to a small village near the border of the kingdom. Since he was a strong leader, he attracted many followers.

Over time, he decided to take revenge by declaring war on Aritthajanaka. Before Aritthajanaka went to war he made his pregnant wife promise that should he be killed, she would flee from Mithila in order to protect the unborn child.

Aritthajanaka was killed in battle by his brother Polajanaka and Aritthajanaka’s wife gathered her gold and jewellery in a basket and covered them with rice. Wearing clothes which made her incognito she slipped out of the city gates. The child in her womb was the Bodhisattva and his mother’s plight caught the attention of Sakka, the King of the Gods and he disguised himself as an old man driving a carriage and drove the Queen to Kalachampa city, a safe place, some sixty leagues away, where a Brahmin gave her shelter.

 The illustration on the above 3 Baht stamp celebrating Magha Puja Day shows the birth of Mahajanaka.

The Bodhisattva was born in time and was named Mahajanaka after his grandfather. In time, he grew into a strong and energetic child, however his friends called him the “widow’s son”. This nickname perplexed him and he sought the reasons therefor which he came to know of from his mother.

At the age of sixteen he determined to regain his father’s kingdom and told his mother of his plans. She offered him her gold and jewellery, of which he took only half. Later he boarded a vessel bound for Mithila which was also called the “Suvarnabhumi” (meaning “The golden land”) on account of its prosperity. Meanwhile his uncle Polajanaka fell ill in Mithila. On board this ship were men and animals from seven large caravans. On being met with rough seas the overloaded ship began to flounder and sink. Mahajanaka prepared himself for the ordeal by eating a full meal and then tying himself to a ship’s mast. As the ship went down, its occupants were devoured by sharks and vicious sea-turtles that infested the ocean, but the mast remained upright and moved further away from the ship as it sank.

Mahajanaka floated in the ocean for seven days. At last Manimekhala, the goddess of the Seas returned from her vacation and espied the young Bodhisattva whom she saved by bringing him to a mango grove in Mithila.

             

The illustration on the above 6 Baht stamp celebrating Magha Puja Day shows the sea goddess Manimekhala carrying Mahajanaka to a mango grove in Mithila City.

Meanwhile his uncle, the King of Mithila died. Before dying, however, he told his ministers to find a man worthy of being his successor i.e. one who could answer any riddles, one who was strong enough to string the King’s mighty bow and who could please his beautiful and intelligent daughter Sivali. Many young men tried to win the kingdom but failed. 

Ultimately, the ministers sent out an empty festive chariot followed by musicians and a large curious crowd, in the hope of finding a young man worthy of taking over the reins of the kingdom. They happened to chance upon the Bodhisattva sleeping in the mango grove, in whom they immediately recognized signs of his Royal birth, woke him up, asked him a few questions and on being convinced of his Royal birth accepted him as their king. Upon reaching the Royal palace, Sivali found that he could answer all her riddles with ease. He fulfilled all of Polajanaka’s conditions for being made a king including stringing his mighty bow.  It is said that he ruled Mithila for seven thousand years. He married Sivali and they had a son & heir to the throne.

One day Mahajanaka saw two mango trees. The one that was laden with fruit was broken and mutilated by persons who had come to pick its fruits while the other one which had been withered was now green and ready to bear fruit. 

The illustration on the above 9 Baht stamp celebrating Magha Puja Day shows, the two mango trees, one withered and one laden with fruit, both growing side by side.

The illustration on the above 15 Baht stamp celebrating Magha Puja Day shows Mahajanaka founding an educational institution.

He deduced that possessions can only bring sorrow to the one owning them and became determined to leave his kingdom and take up the life of an ascetic and began to wander in the forests seeking his true self.

 Sivali followed him wherever he went with her retinue of servants. Mahajanaka realized that the time had come when he had to finally break up with her. He plucked a blade of grass and said to her that just as the blade of grass could not be joined again similarly they could not be together again as he was on a hermetic search for the higher truth. Saying this, he disappeared in the forest and was never seen again. It is said that he found his way into the Himavat forest and at the end of his time on Earth left for his Heavenly abode.

The distraught Sivali crowned her son King and she too led a hermit’s life till the end of her life whereupon she too went to the Heavens.

(These stamps are from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Stamps scanned and article researched & written by Rajeev Prasad).



Links to other  Postage stamps posts from Thailand:
1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)  

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales (Part IV)



 Links to other Posts on Buddhism and DR. B.R. Ambedkar on this Blog:

 1) "Mahabodhi Temple": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev

 2)"Ajanta & Ellora Caves": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Sumita and Rajeev

 3) The Gilgit Record (Manuscripts): National Archives of India (Part 2) A 30 paise Stamp issued in 1979,  by the Department of Posts, India.

 4) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India 

5) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution"

6) Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar : Father of the Indian Constitution, Eminent Political Leader, Philosopher & Freedom Fighter (14.04.1891-06.12.1956) 

 

7) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post   

8) "Deekshabhoomi": The place of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's initiation into Buddhism: Two Commemorative stamps of 500 Paise or Rs.5/- denomination issued by India Post on 14.04.2017 

Links to posts on Indian Post-Cards:

1) Historical First Day Covers on Post Cards compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle on Post Independence India

2) For Part I of the DYKS (32) "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" (Part I) - Description of 16 birds with picture postcards)

3) For Part II of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

4) For Part III of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas" please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

5) Two Series of Postage Stamps issued during the reign of George V: Inauguration of New Delhi in 1931 and Silver Jubilee of the reign of George V in 1935 compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle   

6) Aero India 2015: Asia's Premier Air Show: A set of 10 Post cards issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post in 2015. 

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2016:

1)  Special India Post Cover  carried in a dedicated Hot Air Balloon flown during the II International Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Pollachi, Tamilnadu, released by Tamilnadu Circle of India Post in January 2016

2) "Vibrant India": Postage Stamps issued by India Post on this theme

3) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nasik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 1) Spl. Covers on Pandu Leni Caves and Smt. Kusum Dhirubhai Mehta released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 16.01.2016 

4) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.2016: (Part 2) Spl.Covers on Kalaram temple and Nashik "Grape City & Wine Capital of India" released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 17.01.2016 

5) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 3) Spl. Covers on "Nashik Dhol" and "Dr. Anand Gopalrao Joshi" released by Maharashtra postal Circle on 18.01.2016 

6) International Fleet Review - 2016 (IFR - 16) held at Vishakhapatnam from 04.02.16 to 08.02.16: Commemorative Postage stamps issued by India Post 

7) Celebrating 75 Years of setting up of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal : Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by India Post. 

8) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06 - 09.02.2016: (Part 1): Spl. Covers on "Indian Dak Runner" & "The PUNPEX-16 logo" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 06.02.2016 

9) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 2): Spl. Cover on "Butterflies of Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

10) PUNPEX - 16  held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 3): Spl. Cover on "Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

11) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 4): Spl. Cover on "Migratory Birds of Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh" released on 07.02.2016 

12) "Gurudwara Shri Paonta Sahib": Spl. Cover released by HP Postal Circle, of India Post 

13) India's First International Fleet review held on 18.02.2001 at Mumbai 

14) "Jal Mahotsav" on the River Narmada from 12-21.02.2016: Spl Cover issued by the Department of Posts, India 

15) "Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv", Ujjain 22.04.2016-21.05.2016: MAPPEX-2016 Spl Cover released by Postmaster General, Indore Region, India Post on 07.02.2016 

16) Unique Handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh: MAPPEX 2016: A Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General , Indore Region, Indore, on 05.02.2016 

17) Golden Jubilee of The Statesman Vintage & Classic car Rally": Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi on 28.02.2016 

18) Mahamaham Kumbha Mela Festival, Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu: February 13-22, 2016. Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General Tamilnadu Circle, Chennai, India Post. 

19) "Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli " in New Delhi: "UTSAV 2016"- A Special cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle on 17.02.2016 

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:

1) 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil - A set of four stamps issued by India Post.

2) Commemorative Stamps on "Swachh Bharat" Mission

3) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"

4) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"

5) International Day of Yoga - "Commemorative Stamps & Coins" 

6) India-France - 50 Years of Space Co-operation - Commemorative Stamps

7) Commemorative Stamps on 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of "Engineers India Limited"

8) Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala

9) Commemorative stamps issued on Nabakalabera (Jagannath Temple, Puri)

10) Commemorative stamps issued on an Indian Game called "Sagol Kangjei" originated in Manipur, from which Polo was adapted all over the World  

11) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India 

12) Women Empowerment - Commemorative Stamps

13) Baba Amte - Commemorative Stamps 

14) Did You Know Series (4): A sample of the beautiful stamps brought out by Department of Posts, India 

15) 10th World Hindi Conference held at Bhopal - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts India

16) 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Commemorative stamps issued by Department of Posts, India. 

17) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution" 

18) The "Charkha" or the Spinning Wheel: Commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India 

19) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

20) 50th Anniversary of the Border Security Force (BSF): Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

21) 3rd India- Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts, India 

22) Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

23) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.  

24) India-Singapore Joint issue: 50 Years of Bilateral Relationship: Two Commemorative Stamps issued by India-Post. 

25) Celebrating 60 years (Golden Jubilee) of EEPC India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

26) Centenary of the setting up of the Zoological Survey of India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

27) Celebrating Children's Day on November 14th - Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post. 

28) Musicians of India - Commemorating Classical Musicians of India by issue of Stamps by India Post. 

29) Sumitranandan Pant (poet and writer) : Commemorative postage stamps issued on him by India Post 

30) Golden Jubilee of the Establishment of the IDSA, New Delhi: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

31) 100 Years of Return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915: Commemorative postage stamps issued by India Post 

32) Commemorating Alugumuthu Kone, one of the first Freedom Fighters against the British: Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

33) Centennial of the Patna High Court of Judicature: Commoemrative Stamps issued by India Post 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013: 

1) Commemorative Postage stamps on the "Wild Flowers of India" issued by India Post.

2) 100 Years of Indian Cinema: 50 commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2011:

1) Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.100/- issued on Mahatma Gandhi on Khadi Cloth for the first time ever by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2010:

1) Princely States of Indore, Sirmoor, Bamra and Cochin : Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

List of Commemorative Stamps issued in 2007:

1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

 Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:

1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)  

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales

Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):

1) Forever Stamps: A Series of Stamps commemorating the "US Civil War 1861-1865"

Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey: 

1) "Man of Steel": A Superman movie. Jersey post stamps commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh who played Superman in the Movie 

Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:

1) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal guidepost/landmark in Liberty and Freedom: A miniature stamp sheet issued by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau

Postage Stamps issued by New Zealand Post: 

1) ICC Cricket World Cup - 2015 14 Commemorative Stamps issued with the theme "Have A Ball"