Across most of Asia, one can find mysterious sacred imprints, that are
considered by tradition as "Buddha's Footprints". In some case they are clearly the result
of a handmade carving or are work of art made of bronze, but some of them are "miraculous"
and are said
to have appeared spontaneously after the Buddha (or another Master) walked there.
Some temples are showing several Phra Puthabat Buddha's Footprints,
like here in Wat Pichaya Yathikaram (Bangkok).
Buddha's footprints on rought stone (Luang Prabang, Laos).
The sacred footprint of Adam's peak (Sri Lanka).
One of the most mysterious of those Buddha's Footprints is located at adam's pike in Sri
Lanka.
This print is about 2 meters long, and is a pilgrimage place for devotee of different religions
! Muslims see there an imprint of Adams when he left paradise (they say he staid there for a
1000 years standing on one foot), Buddhist see a footprint of the historical Buddha,
and Hindu see a footprint of Shiva (or Vishnu according to another legend).
Some Christians also worship this place and see there a footprint of Saint Thomas
(according to legend he was the first to go take the word of the Christ to Ceylon). This sacred footprint is mentionned in the writings of Marco Polo
and is one of the most famous and Holy in the world.
One antique Buddhist legend say that the footprint we can see nowaday is not
the original one, but that it was carved on top of it, and that the real footprint is on a giant
emerald stone
that is still hidden under.
Most Venerable Bairo Rinpoché (1933-2017),
has in its youth produced miraculous footprints in stone.
Some story also say that His Holiness the XVIth Karmapa also produced miraculous prints in the
rock (including a whole mandala that appeared after he simply hit a rock with his rosary!).
Guru Rinpoche sacred foot and hand prints.
In Nepal and Tibet, Guru Rinpche also left many sacred prints in rocks,
that can be still seen today in some remote caves.
A footprint of Guru Rinpoche.
Guru Rinpoche sacred handprints.
Sacred Buddha footprints in Nepal.
The "shoes of Guru Rinpoche" at Gimdi village (Nepal).
A Holy fountain, flowing through a Buddha's footprint (Thailand).
The sacred Buddha footprint at Wat Phra Puthachai.
The miraculous Buddha shadow at Wat Phra Puthachai (Saraburi).
Various Thai Venerable sacred hand & foot prints.
It is customary in Thailand for Masters to leave hands & foot
prints
on various materials as relics for their disciples.
Handprints (on clothe) of Most Venerable Luang Phor
Hann.
Sacred footprints of Most Venerable Luang
Phor Kallong.
Sacred foot print of Most Venerable Luang Phor Doem of Wat Nongpo (Nakhon Sawan).
Many temples in Thailand are displaying Phra Puthabat sacred
footprints,
here are a few photo from my travels.
A superb handcarved Phra Puthabat made of tin, in a Chinese temple of Bangkok.
A very curious Phra Puthabat in Wat Satakian (temple of Most Venerable LP Kui).
An underwater Buddha footprint located at Phra Pathom Cheddi.
Devotee throw coins and make a wish, that is said to come true
if the coin land inside the footprint.
A Phra Puthabat print filled with yant on metal leaves.
Those leaves are later collected, then melted to make Buddha statues.
A local Thai tradition is to place a coin inside the Phra Puthabat,
if you can balance it on its side then you can make a wish !
Phra Puthabat Thai amulets.
An amulet that has the shape of the "hands of Luang phor Thuat".
