Legendary Serpents and Buddhist Existence : Phya Ngu-Yai, Phya Nag, Phya Luang, Phya Mang-Kon

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to address questions on the existence and the nature of the four major types of legendary serpents, namely: Phya Ngu-Yai (The Great Serpent), Phya Nag (The Great Naga), Phya Luang (The mixed form of dragon and the Great Naga), and Phya Mang-Korn (The Great Dragon). The questions are explored with references to geographical studies, anthropological studies, religious studies, analysis of beliefs and worships in connection with legendary serpents, contexts of Buddhist beliefs in the Great Naga, and their relevant interpretations and philosophical explanations. The findings are that these four major types of legendary serpents indicate a pedagogical expression of the Four Great Elements of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, which constitute what we call the universe. These four major types of legendary serpents are illusory forms of the world in our ancestors’ ever-changing imagination. The four great serpents are articulations of earth, water, air, fire whose existence merely reflects the uncreated, non-self and impermanence of all things in nature. This paper concludes that Earth is the domain of Phya Ngu-Yai, Water is the land of Phya Nag; Air is the kingdom of Phya Luang, and the Sky is the home of Phya Mang-Korn.