The Influence of Buddhism in Historical Thai Art Lertsiri Bovornkitti*

Home , Culture of Thailand, Religion in Thailand, Thai art

«“√ “√√“™∫—≥±‘µ¬ ∂“π ªï∑’Ë Û ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ú ‡¡.¬.-¡‘.¬. ÚıÙ¯ The Influence of Buddhism in Historical Thai Art Lertsiri Bovornkitti*

Abstract There is a historical relationship between Buddhism and indigenous Thai art; Buddhism has had an immense influence on Thai art and culture. The emergence of Thai art reflects the integration of Buddhist components into cultural, political and societal Thai systems, and mostly in the way that Buddhism has been represented from generation to generation and in the way people have shown devotion; Buddhist components such as Buddha images, Buddhist monks, and Buddhist activities (e.g., festivals and ceremonies) have been acknowledged as significant components of Thai culture. The influence of Buddhism on Thai art and culture has been systematic and direct from the beginning of the Sukhothai Kingdom at the beginning of the thirteenth century. Subsequently, the indigenous art forms and styles engaged in the representation of Buddhism were integrated into the Thai cultural mainstream during the early Rattanakosin era, creating aesthetic art forms, which have been classified into “classical Thai art”, such as mural painting, sculpture and Chang-sip-moo, and “folk art”. Such influence of Buddhism on historical Thai art is relevant in the context of scrutinizing the relationship between Buddhism and Thai art. This communication is aimed at pointing out the long-standing role of Buddhism in the development of Thai art in the past, especially the integration of the Buddhist context, which has led to the creation and the birth of indigenous Thai arts with the styles of “classical Thai art” and “folk art”, both of which are genuinely Thai. It is tenable that the study of historical Thai art with regard to the influence of Buddhism would lead to understanding of the development of current contemporary Thai art.

Key words : Buddhism, historical Thai art, classical Thai art, folk art

For centuries, since the estab- Thai history is believed to have the supreme power, there were lishment of the Thai Kingdom in emerged in the Sukhothai Kingdom, different ethnic groups, cultures and the thirteenth century AD, the prime a highly sophisticated state in the religions in the region encompassed role of traditional Thai art had been golden Thai historical era, thirteenth by modern Thailand. to show devotion to Buddhism.1 to fourteenth century. However, long Prior to the Thai people Buddhist art in the early period of before the first Thai state became adopting Buddhism as their religion

* Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand 1 The First Thai Kingdom was the Sukhothai Kingdom, established by King Ram Khamhaeng in 1287 AD.

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in the first phase of the Thai Kingdom Ayutthaya and Lanna) represents a different populations subscribing to (in 1287 AD), the art of the Mon2 golden age that laid the foundations that form of Buddhism. Apparently and the Khmer3, both cultures of of a structured state capable of distinguishing themselves as much as Hindu origin, were flourishing in establishing Theravada Buddhism possible from their essentially the region.4 as its state religion and asserting its Sinhalese, Mon, or, to a lesser extent, Despite regional diversities, power and cultural identity by Pala models, the artist-monks of Buddhism dominated much of this assimilating the heritage of its Sukhothai emerged from this ferment area as the Thai Kingdom began to predecessors (Girad-Geslan, et al., to develop a form of expression that subjugate other tribal groups. Even 1998 : 100). met their religious preoccupations at this stage, Thai art was integrated In the early period, Thai art was but was nevertheless unique, capable with Buddhism as the religion came genuinely an expression of the of imposing itself in turn as a model to dominate the indigenous Thai development of Buddhism in the for the other Thai states (Girad- cultures. Thai kingdom. Geslan et al., 1998 : 100). Nevertheless, the relatively As part of their drive to implant There is good reason to believe ephemeral existence of the kingdom Theravada Buddhism, the rulers of that the first known Thai artists were of Sukhothai (compared with the the Sukhothai imported patterns of Buddhist monks active during the other great Thai kingdoms of art as they emanated from the Sukhothai Period. Consequently, it is appropriate to suggest that the early existence of Buddhism was a major contributor to the foundations of a truly Thai art form. The Buddhist art forms from Sukhothai and the historical frameworks of Thai art and culture within classical Thai art and Thai folk art are both forms that significantly revealed Buddhist influence.5

Early Historical Thai Art As the establishment of the Thai Kingdom required the building of these structures, early Thai artistic forms have been found in palaces, Figure 1 A historical park in Sukhothai province depicts the ruins Buddhist temples and monuments. of Sukhothai style architecture, thirteenth century AD; a statue of Buddha The other sources are the Buddhist in the foreground was built in 1957 AD. objects and manuscripts used for

2 The Mon comprise a minority ethnic group in Thailand. Before the eleventh century AD, the Mon were the main ethnic group in what is the Thai Kingdom today. 3 The Khmer (Cambodians) were powerful during the eleventh to thirteenth centuries AD before the Thai Kingdom developed. The Khmer Kingdom had influenced the art and culture of Thailand in the past. 4 Refers to the Sukhothai Kingdom in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries AD. 5 See Phillips in The Integrative Art of modern Thailand, 1992, for more details of classical Thai art and Thai folk art.

356 The Influence of Buddhism in Historical Thai Art «“√ “√√“™∫—≥±‘µ¬ ∂“π ªï∑’Ë Û ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ú ‡¡.¬.-¡‘.¬. ÚıÙ¯ spreading Buddhism. The strong characteristics of early Thai architecture reflect its Buddhist themes and elements, and are seen in holy buildings such as palaces and temples. The early city of Sukhothai (figure 1) includes a large concentration of monastic buildings such as a meeting hall (vihan), a hall for the ordination of monks (ubosoth) and stupa (jedi) containing relics or holy images. These were built for Buddhist uses and filled with Buddhist elements. For instance, a stupa was built outside the walls of Sukhothai to house a colossal thirteenth-century plaster image of the Buddha Maravijaya Phra Achana. Whilst Buddhism so Figure 2 Figure 3 directly influenced Thai architecture, Buddha image at Wat Phraya Phu, High classic style Buddha image it has nevertheless developed a form Nan Province, 1426 AD, shows the in bronze, fifteenth century AD, that is uniquely Thai and continued influence of Sukhothai high classic Sukhothai. this development from era to era with style. a similar focus on visual Buddhist identity. As with architecture, Thai It has been a general impression This Buddha image appears sculpture grew out of Buddhism. that diverse art styles pre-existing in elongated and dominated by a In Thai history, Buddhist elements the region contributed to the forma- curvelinear form, the shape being such as the three-dimensional image tion of Thai art during the Sukhothai similar to the S-shape of the historical of the Buddha have been a key Period. Early in that period, the Thai Western aesthetic form in classical subject of representation. Buddha belonged to the Mon-Khmer Greek art. The classical Greek art Buddha imagery was a primary hybrid style. From the fourteenth is highly regarded for its splendid motif in Buddhist iconography and century, one can begin to recognise a idealised human sculptural forms that the earliest form of Buddha imagery style of sculpture in Buddha statues suggested by curve-line as seen in was in sculptural form. The sculpting that developed into the high classic most Greek statues. Another similar of Buddha statues has been practised Sukhothai style; for example, the form is seen in the fifteenth century since the beginnings of Thai history Buddha image in the fourteenth Buddha statue, made of bronze with and the making of Buddha statues century (figure 2). red lacquer and traces of gilding has been highly significant in all Buddhist cultures. Sculptures and relief works were produced exten- sively from early in the twelfth century AD.

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that is regarded as the classic Thai identity of the nation has been based “classical Thai art”, a result of the historical sculpture style (figure 3). on the two sanctified institutions, long development of visual images The Sukhothai Buddha image Buddhism and the Thai monarchy, from earlier stages.6 This art form is indicates that there was a serious in an historical Thai context, the unique in the sense that it is the most integration of aesthetic form with the original role of Thai art during the widely known mature form of Thai spiritualism of Buddhist sculpture. period from the thirteenth to the art, and its forms and characteristics In summary, early Thai art style seventeenth centuries was to show are in contrast to “Thai folk art”, has its origins in Buddhism within the devotion to Buddhism alone, by although they are related through the influence of Buddhism. development of the Thai state and its displaying its sanctity and religious The indigenous art forms and emerging culture. Thai architecture, content for the purposes of teaching styles engaged in the representation sculpture and paintings, all have their and spreading the belief. of Buddhism were integrated into roots in the Buddhist art of this early Through its preoccupation the Thai cultural mainstream. phase, and Thai objects and artefacts with Buddhist elements, with serving This integration, plus that of have been associated with this the Thai monarchy and with the Buddhism, into Thai art can be interaction of religion and art. emerging historical and cultural identified in both “classical Thai Accordingly, early Buddhist tablets identity of its people, Thai art art” and “Thai folk art”. and amulets are evidence of historical developed into a unique original Phillips (1992) described these art practice. style. two artistic genres as indigenous Whilst Buddhism is now the Thai art historians refer to art Thai art movements that are cul- state religion in Thailand, and the forms that are genuinely Thai as turally Thai.

Classical Thai Art The Classical Thai Art period began when the first monarch in the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I, ascended the Throne in 1782. At that time, following the destruction of Ayutthaya, the capital was relocated south to Bangkok, also known as the capital of Rattana- kosin (Krung Rattanakosin), in a programme of ambitious temple building and restoration projects (figure 4)7. The new palace has all buildings of Buddhist corporeal; these include temple (Wat Phra Kaew), vihan, and jedi (stupa) and the main chapel or ubosoth within Figure 4 Wat Phrasirattanasatsadaram (popularly known as Wat the Grand Palace which contains a Phra Kaew) is a chapel on the Grand Palace ground in Bangkok. It was series of mural painting representing built by the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 AD, which continues to the present. Buddhist themes (late eighteenth century). 6 See also Boisselier, 1976, for more details of classical Thai art. 7 The Rattanakosin era which started in 1782, continues into the present, with the reign of the current Thai monarch.

358 The Influence of Buddhism in Historical Thai Art «“√ “√√“™∫—≥±‘µ¬ ∂“π ªï∑’Ë Û ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ú ‡¡.¬.-¡‘.¬. ÚıÙ¯

Classical Thai art portrayed in part on Sinhalese and Khmer been the most enduring subjects in scenes from the life of the Lord prototypes, it has been practiced Thai sculpture. Buddha, Buddhist teachings, clas- for more than a millenium on the sical tales such as the Ramakien walls and architectural elements of Buddha images have over the (the Thai version of the Indian epic, temples and palaces, on the surfaces centuries been the single most the Ramayana) and Thai literature, of cabinets, screens, and manuscripts important focus of Thai artistic which is most of all associated with of both royal and village Thailand, energy. Thai art historians recognize royal patronage, as well as scenes and in individual Buddha images as many as nine different styles of of contemporary events. representing as many as nine these images. The most “classical” of historically different styles (Phillips, the schools --- in the simplicity and The essence of classical Thai 1992 : 17). elegance of its imagery --- is the art is its religious content, didactic 13th - 15th century Sukhothai style. purpose, and highly decorative The media that were widely Because of its similarity to modern designs. Like its medieval European used in Classical Thai art include aesthetic forms, it is the most counterpart, Thai classical art has painting, sculpture, stone and wood emulated of all classical Buddha always been in the service of the bas-relief, stucco, lacquerware, figural styles (Phillips, 1992 : 19). kingdom’s religious and political woodcarving, nilloware and leather. institutions, as well as the human Painting, now regarded as the most As mentioned previously, the values associated with them (Phillips, outstanding traditional medium in the Sukhothai sculpture of the Buddha 1992 : 18). history of Thai art, originated during image is acknowledged as the classic the Classical Era in the form of wall form of Thai style (see figure 3). The Classical Thai art is the paintings. sculptural style of the Rattanakosin description for a Thai art form that “The practice of painting murals Period reflects the prevailing is considered the most highly on the walls of temples reached its aesthetics of the Thai Royal Court, sophisticated and beautiful in the florescence in the murals of the early with highly decorative motifs as seen Thai historical context. It served and mid-19th century”, that is the in the nineteenth century Buddha equally the Thai monarchy and “classical” time of Thai art when Shakayamuni (figure 6). It is believed Buddhism, and ultimately became the Thai style of painting began to that it was carved during the reign of important for the country’s identity. develop from murals (Phillips, King Rama III (1824 - 1851). In classical Thai art, royal patronage 1992 : 19). In summary, it may be observed was strong. It is considered that this Painting in the classical Thai that in the tradition of other earlier period produced the richest, most art style adorns the walls of temples, Thai art genres, classical Thai art genuine Thai art, in which the height especially temples built during the reached its peak in aesthetic form in of Thai aesthetic achievement and early Rattanakosin period and the early Rattanakosin Period, having quality was reached. exemplified by mural paintings served the Buddhist religion, the (figure 5). Thai monarchy, especially the royal Classical Thai art is the most In the Thai Classical Period, court, and the kingdom’s identity, culturally familiar and widely sculpture was, like painting, also reflecting values held dearly in the respected --- if for some Thai, also widely practised in the tradition of life of the Thai people. somewhat well worn --- of all of showing devotion to and serving Thailand’s artistic genres. Based Buddhism. Buddha images have

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Thai Folk Art In contrast to classical Thai art, Thai folk art emerged as a genre that is associated with “a wide variety of craft skills and secondarily to an array of distinctive styles” (Phillips, 1992 : 21). Moreover, it is widely practised in various social settings and often for both decorative and functional purposes. According to Phillips (1992) and other Thai art historians, Thai folk art encompasses the production of many different forms and qualities of weaving, ceramics, jewelry, silver and gold work, wood carvings, stucco Figure 5 Details of a mural at the work, lacquerware, vegetable and corridor of Wat Phra Kaew in the fruit carvings, lathe turnings, papier- Figure 7 A detail from a templeûs Grand Palace. mâché fabrications, flower decora- gable shows some of the decorative tions, leatherwork, nilloware and work in Thai traditional art style. mother of pearl mosaics.

In terms of the numbers of Phillips (1992) suggested fur- practitioners and the development of ther that the elaborately drawn deco- regional and local traditions, it is rative elements from the folk tradi- the most widespread, highly ramified, tion, as seen on the windows, doors, deeply rooted, and heavily patronized gables, pillars and ceilings of Thailand’s artistic genres of most of Thailand’s Buddhist (Phillips, 1992 : 20). temples, are meant to beautify and reinforce the sacredness of the temple Thai folk art has also been environment. Figure 7 shows a re- associated with Buddhism. However, stored facade of a nineteenth century whereas classical Thai art portrays temple gable with folk mosaic work Buddhist and traditional values, Thai and spiral vines surrounding a folk art is more elementary in its “godling” from the Buddhist pan- decorative and functional values. theon. These can be found in utilitarian Classical Thai art involves items such as food and garment mainly the expression of sacredness Figure 6 The Buddha Shakaya- containers, house supports, clothes, and religious representation and, muni in Parileyyaka Forest, swords, buffalo yokes, manuscript although Thai folk art was not formed Rattanakosin Period (1822 - 1853); cabinets, betel-nut boxes, etc. to serve Buddhist iconography, it is bronze, lacquer, gold leaf, coloured related with classical art in the way glass; 155 cm. that its elements were frequently

“modified to make them even more Thus, it could be said that Thai In summary, it appears that ‘classical’, such as when they are folk art is indirectly associated with Buddhism is indeed the most histor- painted gold, the colour of Buddhism, Buddhist traditions, and that it is ically important inspiration for Thai or red, the colour of heaven and of closer to everyday Thai life than art, and that this is supported by those who reside there” (Phillips, classical Thai art, which serves evidence of the emergence of early 1992 : 21). mainly the royal court. In addition, Thai art, reflecting Buddhist ele- Thai folk art styles have been used ments in the thirteenth century. For example, elements from mainly to beautify and honour Indigenous Thai art consists of both the classical and Thai folk art material objects of value, typically “classical Thai art” and “Thai folk traditions are often seen combined as a way of highlighting the status art”, which together have contributed in a single work such as a wood of the object’s owner. Thus, it must to a fully developed form of indigen- carving on a large panel used in wall be distinguished from “classical art” ous art; this is the origin of “tradi- decorations (figure 8). Symbolic on the ground of its non-Buddhist tional Thai art”. It is elements of elements of animal figures and sources and uses. traditional Thai Art that are seen as filigree designs that come primarily Even though folk art is signific- integrated into the artworks of from Thai classical art traditions antly distinguishable from classical contemporary Thai art, especially surrounded a Buddhist symbol, the art, most Thais now recognise the two “neo-traditional Thai art”, in the Thammachak or the Wheel of Thai art traditions as a single, unified works of Thawan Duchanee, Ang- Dhamma (teaching) from the art form known as çtraditional Thai karn Kalayanapongse, Chalermchai classical art tradition. arté. Kositpipat, Panya Vijinthanasarn, Thepsakdi Thongnopkoon, and Alongkorn Lawwattana.

References and Further Reading

1. Boisselier J. Thai painting. Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco : Kodansha; 1976. 2. Boisselier J. The wisdom of Buddha. London : Thames and Hudson, Ltd.; 1993. 3. Brown R. Narrative as icon : The Jataka stories in ancient Indian and Southeast Asian architecture. In : Schober J, editor. Sacred biography in the Buddhist traditions of South and Southeast Asia. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press; 1997. p.64-109. 4. Phillips HP. Modern Thai literature : with an ethnographic interpretation. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press; 1987. 5. Phillips HP. The integrative art of Figure 8 A wood carving with the Thammachak symbol reflects the modern Thailand. Berkeley : Univer- existence of both classical and Thai folk art. sity of California at Berkeley; 1992.

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362 The Influence of Buddhism in Historical Thai Art