The Legend of the Talking Buddha Statue @Sukhothai

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the fascinating spots is [[Wat Si Chum, an ancient religious site nearly 700 years old... along with the legend of the "#Talking Buddha Statue"]]. Located outside the city walls at the northwest corner, the highlight is the building housing a large seated Buddha statue that fills the entire space inside. The statue has a width of approximately 11.30 meters at its lap. It is believed that the name of the Buddha statue, as mentioned in the first stone inscription, is "Phra Achana," meaning "The Unshaken One." The statue is in the Mara Vichaya posture, and the current version was restored between 1953 and 1956. 📒: The word "Si" originates from the local Thai term "Sali," which refers to the Bodhi tree. Therefore, the name "Si Chum" means "Grove of Bodhi Trees." However, in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya written during the late Ayutthaya period, this meaning was misunderstood, and the site was referred to as "Rue Si Chum," implying a place where King Naresuan the Great gathered his troops. During that battle, which was fought among Thai people, the soldiers lacked morale and were unwilling to fight. To boost their spirits, King Naresuan devised a plan to inspire them by having a soldier climb the stairs behind the Buddha statue and deliver motivational words to the troops. This event became the origin of the legend of the "#Talking Buddha Statue," which has been passed down through generations. Reference: Sukhothai Historical Park