THE BUDDHA IMAGE IN THAILAND1 Kukdej Kantamara2 Abstract Buddha images bear traits that are indicative of the ethnicity of their crea­ tors. The Thai Buddha images have unique characteristics which vary ac­ God Apollo, Hellenistic period cording to times and regions. This paper discusses the development in the artistic The Buddha's very first image was said styles of the Thai schools of Buddha to have been created in Gandhara images, the characteristics of each around 600 B.E. after Alexander the school and the factors that influence it Great invaded Northern India in 217 such as ethnicity and current culture. B.E. We cannot deny that, according to historians who have studied written documents and archeological remains in Pakistan, the Buddha image was made for the first time in history by Greek sculptors. Buddha image by Greek sculptors During the Greek invasion, Alexander's top army chiefs were sent to rule over the conquered land. When the king died, they wanted to become kings and fought 1 "The Buddha Image in Thailand" was with each other in hope of reigning over published in Japanese for the Great Buddha Gandhara, where most people were Symposium, held on December 20, 2003 at converted to Buddhism since the era of Nara Citizen Hall, Todaiji Temple, Nara City, King Asoka the Great. Japan. The paper was also presented at Osaka City University Campus on December 22,2003. 2 Assoc. Professor, Visual Arts Division, the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chula­ longkom University. Downloaded from Brill.com10/03/2021 08:33:26PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities 7.1, 2004 for the first time ever in the reign of King Kanishka. Gandhara's Buddha image Gold coin (AD.144-73) with King Kanishka on the obverse Then came a powerful monarch named and the Buddha on the reverse Kanishka, who successfully united the entire Gandhara kingdom in 633 B.E. After that, the creation of Buddha Having faith in the Buddhist religion, the images became popular across India. king followed the footsteps of King The tradition also spread to countries in Asoka the Great and took Buddhism Indo-China, including Thailand. under royal patronage in 688 B.E. The Kingdom of Thailand, formerly known as Suwannabhurni, or the Golden Land, was initially inhabited by Mon people who migrated from the Indian town of Dvaravati. Calling themselves "Dvaravit," they happily integrated with local people who dubbed themselves "Moon people", or "Mon" in the Thai language. These peoples joined hands in estab­ lishing a great kingdom, with its capital in Nakhon Pathom province in the Late Gandhara school with large central region of modern-day Thailand. hair curls The city was named "Dvaravati" after the Indian evacuees' place of origin, Scholars believe that the first portrayal which is now in Gujarat, India. of the Buddha was made during his reign by Greek artists, who were already The peoples had become followers of familiar with the sculptures of Greek the Buddha since the reign of Asoka the gods and goddesses. The Buddha's Great. The Indian king had sent two statue was created with physical monks - Phra Uttarathera and Phra characteristics as recorded in the Sonathera- to propagate the religion in Mahapurisa Laksana text. Thus, it can the land of Suwannabhumi long before be said that Buddha images appeared the representation of the Buddha in human form. 2 Downloaded from Brill.com10/03/2021 08:33:26PM via free access The Buddha Image in Thailand After the appearance of Buddha images, Mahapurisa Laksana text. However, it Indian monks brought with them small­ is possible that the portrayal may bear scale Buddha icons to Suwannabhumi. some ethnic traits of their contemporary Several bronze images of the Amaravati countrymen. Of course, that was unin­ school, measuring 20- 30 centimeters, tentional on the artist's part-it all came have been found scattered in the region. naturally from the inside of his being. -----~-------------·--4Hfft!1"1IM>·e'""'ari'ffi'i·e'tftie cases in pomt. The Dva­ ravati school of the Mon people, which appeared during the 1O -l61h Buddhist centuries, was in many ways similar to the Gupta school in terms of its charac­ teristics and beliefs. Found in the central region of Thailand, most images of this period were made of stone, terra cotta (baked clay) and bronze. The remark­ able characteristics include: Round head with plump 20-30 C., the bronze images by cheeks Amaravati school Large hair curls Flat forehead However, no evidence has been found Protruding eyes that Mon artists adopted the practice of Eyebrows forming a Buddha representation, not until the continuous "crow's coming of the Gupta school. Artists, wings" curve copying Gupta art, began to create Large and square face images in their Dvaravati style, which Thick lips can be said to be the very first art school Broad chin in Thailand. Thin robe. clinging to the body However, a true Thai school had yet to Straight edged mantle or appear. After the Dvaravati school "sanghati" extending to came the Srivijaya and Lop Buri schools. the navel, or short It took some time before Thai Buddhist sanghati hanging around art developed as the Sukhothai, Chiang the chest Saen, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin Large hands and feet schools respectively. Base carved into a lotus shape Before the Occupation of the Thai The Buddha sitting with People ? legs extended and feet flat on the ground Thai artists adopted and applied Indian (Braramphabthasana) artistic traditions to create their own Aureole attached to the unique styles, while strictly keeping to back of the head the characteristics of the Buddha's physical appearance as indicated in the 3 Downloaded from Brill.com10/03/2021 08:33:26PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities 7.1, 2004 Taking the two pieces of evidence into consideration, Professor Coedes be­ lieved that Srivijaya was part of the Sai­ Jentrawong kingdom, which extended over the islands around the Malay Peninsula. Life - size stone of the Dvaravati school Stone carving. Srivijaya school The Buddha images of the Srivijaya school were found largely in Chaiya district of northern Surat Thani province. Srivijaya art was influenced by the Buro Buddho School of Java and the Dvaravati and Pala-Sena Schools of southern India. Dvaravati Buddha sitting in Braramphabthasana posture, semi life-size, stone Another example is the Srivijaya school, which can be dated back to the 13-18"' Buddhist centuries. The term "Srivijaya" was coined by the renowned French archeologist George Coedes. Reading an ancient stone inscription at Wiang Temple in Chaiya district of Thailand's northern province of Surat Thani, the professor came across a text about Sri Avalokitesvara. Semi life-size, Wichayesuan Pubodi, the king who built stone. three brick castles. There was also a Initially, artists followed the Theravada record written by a Chinese monk called tradition when creating Buddha images. I Ching, who traveled to the region to They were later influenced by study Buddhism in 1215 B.E. and Mahayanist beliefs which came with the mentioned a town called "Chilipochi." Pala school of art, thus resulting in the widespread popularity in sculpting 4 Downloaded from Brill.com10/03/2021 08:33:26PM via free access The Buddha Image in Thailand representational portrayals of the Bud­ compassion, and the gentle smile signi­ dha's previous lives. However, Srivijaya fies eternal blissfulness. sculptors were keen on mingling Pala traditions with their own to create a unique style whose delicacy and subtlety have significantly become its distinctive features. The Buddha image. The Srivijaya school, marked by a flat forehead, and a Bodhi leaf on the topknot, Srivijaya art was influenced by the bronze life-size Dvaravati school; life-size, stone, covered with gold leaf You can see that the Buddha figure has a plump torso, with short hair curls in the shape of small conch shells. There is a mark between the eyebrows, and a Bodhi leaf is often seen on the topknot. The image has a flat forehead, arched eyebrows, round chin, and thin lips (usually with a gently smiling expres­ sion.) Now look at this bronze Avaloki­ tesvara on your right hand side. The masterpiece was believed to be in the contraposto (the right hip extending a little) with his right hand resting on the The masterpiece Avalokitesvara, bronze life-size knee in "Granting a Boon" position, and the left hand stretching out to bear his weight. Wearing a crown with the Buddha Amitabha on it, the image has long braided hair extending to the navel. The upper torso is naked- covered with jewelry instead of an upper robe. Artists have long praised the image's beautiful face: the eyes cast downward express 5 Downloaded from Brill.com10/03/2021 08:33:26PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities 7.1, 2004 The masterpiece Avalokitesvara in full gesture, as assumed The Buddha standing upright, The Lopburi school, dating from the 15- Lopburi school 18'h century, was largely influenced by Mahayanist beliefs, which became Lopburi Buddha images can be prevalent with the Khmer dominion over characterized by a cranial protuberance central Thailand. Therefore, the Buddha with small shell-like thorns known in images were a combination of both the Thai as "Jackfruit Thorns." The head is Dvaravati school and Khmer art from decorated with a diadem and jewelry. Cambodia. As Lopburi was part of the The Buddha is often seen in a meditation Dvaravati kingdom, which later fell to posture, sitting on Naga's body, with the Khmer, the Buddhist art of this period Naga's 7 heads forming a protective was subsequently named Lopburi. canopy above his head.