Buddha and Sunya Symbolic Figures in Trinisinghe

Abstract

The study of Yantra, which is a fundamental part of mysticism, has existed in Thailand for a long time. Yantra has played significant roles in the lives of Thai people of all classes, as evident in one of the most important literatures – The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen – depicting elements of the structure and the study of mysticism in the past. It is said that studying the treatises of the erasable symbolic figures is the first stage of studying Yantra, beginning with Pathamung and followed by the other four major treatises, as they contain the essential basic knowledge of Yantra systems. Trinisinghe is one of these treatises: it contains the knowledge of numbers, ancient numeral systems, and mathematical notations. A study of Trinisinghe helps us to understand the symbolic figures in Thai Mandala. More importantly, Trinisinghe uses numeral systems to create symbolic figures for illustrating the profound ideas concerning Paramatthadhamma through mathematical methods. Consequently, studying the symbolic figures from this manuscript reveals the ancient beliefs about Buddhist teachings such as Suññatā and Nibbāna. Although the fundamental benefit of studying Yantra is protection against various kinds of danger, the content-related structures and the symbolic figures of Trinisinghe may help us gain greater benefit through the understanding of key Buddhist teachings.