Sihuhata
The Sihuhata Shrine is the name of a monster in the legend of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. It resembles a fat black bear with two pairs of ears and five eyes. It feeds on hot charcoal and fire and excretes gold.
The legend of the Sihuhata Shrine is connected to the construction of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew in Chiang Rai Province. It is also believed to be the cause of men becoming more infatuated with their concubines than with their main wives.
The Meaning of the Sihuhata
[edit]According to the legend of the Sihuhata, as told by Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana, the four ears and five eyes represent the Buddhist principles of the Four Divine Abodes and the Five Precepts, respectively. These symbolize the moral teachings Buddhists are encouraged to uphold and practice.[1]
Characteristics of the Sihuhata
[edit]According to the legend of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, the Sihuhata is described as fat and short, resembling a bear, and covered in long black fur. It has two pairs of ears and five green eyes. The Sihuhata feeds on hot coals, and its droppings are made of gold. It is not considered aggressive. A statue of this creature can be found at Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew in Mueang Chiang Rai District.[2] [3]
Another version, recorded by Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana of Lamphun Province, describes the Sihuhata as a monkey and refers to it as the "Four-eared, Five-eyed Monkey King." In this version, the number of ears and eyes still represents the Four Divine States and the Five Precepts.[4] A statue of this monkey king exists in Lamphun Province,[5] and the belief is also found in Chiang Mai Province, where sacred objects depicting it were created by Phra To Thitawiriyo.[6] [7]
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Statue of a Sihuhata at Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province -
Statue of a Sihuhata at Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, newly sculpted in 2008 -
Image of a Sihuhata amulet, Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Sitting Position -
Image of a Sihuhata amulet, Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Charcoal-eating Posture
Legend of the Sihuhata
[edit]The legend of the Sihuhata has been passed down through generations and is linked to the origin of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew in Chiang Rai Province.[8] The most widely accepted version tells the story of "Ai Thukkhata":
Over a thousand years ago, Nakhon Phanthumati was ruled by King Phanthumatirat, who had seven queens. In the city lived a poor family—father, mother, and son—who survived by begging. The boy, Ai Thukkhata, lost both parents at a young age. Before dying, his father instructed him to live morally, follow elders’ teachings, and perform certain rituals after his death.
Following his father’s instructions, Ai Thukkhata one day found a strange creature caught in a snare—a black, short, bear-like being with long fur, four ears, and five eyes. This was the Sihuhata. He took it home, but it refused food. One winter, a coal from Ai Thukkhata’s fire landed near it, and the creature ate it eagerly. From then on, it ate red-hot coals daily and excreted gold. Ai Thukkhata buried the gold until it filled his fields and gardens.[9]
When King Phanthumatirat announced that anyone wishing to marry his daughter, Nang Sima, must construct a golden gutter from their house to the palace, Ai Thukkhata used the Sihuhata’s gold to meet the challenge. He married Nang Sima and became the king’s son-in-law. However, the king’s greed for the Sihuhata led to a series of events ending with him trapped in a cave. A miraculous incident involving his seventh consort freed him, and he proclaimed he loved his concubine more than his queen. This legend is said to explain why men favor concubines over wives in local lore.
Ai Thukkhata later ascended the throne as Phraya Thammikarat and built Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, enshrining a relic of the Buddha’s left little finger at the site where the Sihuhata had been caught.[10]
The Sihuhata Game
[edit]This ancient game, based on the legend of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, involves simple steps passed down through generations.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ The Legend of the Sihuhata, according to Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana[permanent dead link]
- ^ Phra Khru Ba Sanong Sumano, Abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew (Interview)
- ^ Historical Document on the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province
- ^ Legend of the Sihuhata, Luang Pu Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana version[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Picture of the Sihuhata, Luang Pu Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana version". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ Web board "Introducing another good monk in Sisaket Province, Luang Pho Seng, Wat Prasat Ya Tai - Page 3"[permanent dead link]
- ^ Image of a Sihuhata in the style of Phra Ajahn To Thitawiriyo, Chiang Mai Province[permanent dead link]
- ^ Historical Document on the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province (Page 1)
- ^ Historical Document on the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province (Page 2)
- ^ Historical Document on the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province (Page 4)
- ^ Historical documents about the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province (Page 5)
- ^ Historical documents about the Sihuhata, Wat Doi Khao Kwai Kaew, Chiang Rai Province (Page 6)
