Himavanta

Himavanta[a] is a legendary forest, also called Himmanpan Mountain, which is said to be located in the Himalayas.

Himavanta appears in a piece of Thai literature called Traibhumikatha[b] which explains that Himavanta is a forest where many diverse mythical creatures such as Phaya Naga,[c] Phaya Krut,[d] and Kinnaree,[e] spirits or even gods and goddess reside.

The story of Himavanta and the explanation of the three existing planes were written by the philosopher-king of Si Satchanalai,[g] Phaya Lithai.

Ra-maad picked up stones and threw them wrathfully all around, and from the sheer force, the whole world began to shake.

The conference went badly, because all types of creatures only wanted to show off their talents while also flustered and panicked.

Phaya Naga thought to attack the pillar, so that it would strike half of the sun and fling it aside.

I am willing to do this for every being in this world and it is called sacrifice.” As he said these words, the heart in his hand transformed into a sword and flew towards the pillar.

Ashamed of himself, Ra-maad changed his name to Rad (Thai: แรด, meaning "Rhino") and always did good things after that time.

The book is meant to demonstrate an escape from the world to nirvana, or liberation from repeated rebirth.

[3] The three landscapes are divided into eight khans (Thai: กัณฑ์, meaning "subject", "category" or "chapter") that describe the constant state of flux for all humans, animals, and even non-living things such as mountains, rivers, the earth, the sun, and the moon.

Humans living in Jambudvipa have oval faces and have a life expectancy that is uncertain depending on merit or karma.

These conditions offer an opportunity for humans in this continent to listen to the Dharma so that when they die, they have a chance to be born in a better realm.

According to the stone inscriptions, he was originally called Phaya Lithai, abbreviated as Phra Maha Thammaracha I.

[3] After he reigned for six years, he dedicated himself to Buddhism and invited the Elder of Lanka to be patriarch in Sukhothai.

Then he abdicated the throne to be ordained at Pa Mamuang Temple (Thai: วัดป่ามะม่วง), outside Sukhothai to the west.

The legend of the Himavanta forest has continued to influence Buddhist society in Thailand for a long time.

It is often seen in artworks in religious places, in the form of paintings, sculptures, decorations, writings, poems, and even films.

By espousing the concepts of Heaven and Hell, they could lead their subjects to fear the enduring spiritual consequences of committing an offense, and this cultural trend lead to the creation of the phrase, “Laws may be unfair, but not the law of karma.”[5] Hinduism has its own mythology about Himavanta which is similar but not identical.

Both Hindu and Buddhist myths say Mount Meru is the center of the earth, surrounded by the Cosmos.

Hindus consider Mount Krailas (Thai: ไกรลาส) in the Himalayas in Tibet to be Mount Meru, and also believe that peak to be the residence of Thao Kuwen (Thai: ท้าวกุเวร), king of giants, god of wealth and god of treasure.

Indra, the elder deity in Hindu religion, also was affiliated with Mount Meru during the time that he was known as the god of lightning, rain and fertility.

The beautiful forest is home to gods and the dwelling place for sorcerers, priests, hermits, clerics, and bizarre mythical creatures.

[9] The flowers of the tree have a sweet scent, and its fruit is so big, it takes the length of a person's whole arm to reach the pit.

In the south, the water flows straight, emerging under a stone slab on a cliff and becoming a 60 yods high waterfall.

As the water is clean and clear, this place is considered to be a fitting home for Buddha, Arahants, powerful sorcerers such as hermits, Wittayathorn (Thai: วิทยาธร), giants, Nagas, angels, etc.

The peak wraps around Anodard pond like a curtain, protecting it from direct exposure to sun and moonlight.

There is also a cave in Mount Khanthamat called Nanthamun (Thai: นันทมูล), a residence of the Buddha, composed of gold, silver, and glass.

[9] Gabillapaksa is a half-monkey, half-bird creature, with wings on its shoulders, a bird's tail, and black fur.

The serpent called Phaya Naga can use a power of disguise or transformation, living close to human beings and changing back and forth from a humanoid form.

Ra-maad is a Himavanta creature inspired by the real animal, but distorted from reality, because rhinos are so rare to see in the wild.