Phra Malai, the Buddhist saint known for his legendary travels to heaven and hell, has long fi gured prominently in Thai religious treatises, works of art, and rituals – particularly those associated with the afterlife. The story is one of the most popular subjects of nineteenth-century illustrated Thai manuscripts. The earliest examples of these Thai manuscripts date to the late eighteenth century, though it is assumed that the story is much older, being based on a Pali text from Sri Lanka. Phra Malai is mentioned in a Burmese inscription from the thirteenth century, and anonymous Northern Thai versions of the story may go back to the sixteenth century. In nineteenth-century Thailand, it became a very popular chanting text for weddings and funerals.
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The story of Phra Malai 66 The Thai manuscript tradition 67 The legend of Phra Malai in Thai manuscripts at the British Library 69 Scenes from a Phra Malai performance 69 Phra Malai visits the hell of thieves 70 Phra Malai visits the hell of adulterers 71 Phra Malai receives a lotus offering 72 Phra Malai visits the heavens 73 Phra Malai meets Indra and Buddha Maitreya 74 Phra Malai offers the lotus at the Chulamani Chedi 75 Phra Malai learns about the future of the human world 76 Phra Malai learns about the wish trees of the future 78 Phra Malai teaches lay people about his journeys to heaven and hell 79 Phra Malai receives offerings from the lay people 80 Bibliography 82 Contact 82
