BuddhistBuddhist ArtsArts ofof ThailandThailand by Ms Charuwan Chareonla HAN DD ET U 'S B B O RY eOK LIBRA E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.buddhanet.net Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. Preface I am very pleased to present my thesis-work, for which I have collected and selected items from various im- portant sources. Greatly contributing to my success in producing this work has been the kind cooperation of many well-respected and highly-regarded persons. I would first like to mention Dr. Upendra Thakur, Professor & Head of the Department of Ancient Indian & Asian Studies, Magadh University, who kindly allowed me to take up this thesis. His scholar- ship — which has resulted in a great knowledge which he shares with all of his students — was of invaluable assistance to me on many occasions during my studies here in India, and I am most grateful for his kindness. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. P. C. Roy, the Reader of the Department of Ancient Indian & Asian Studies, Magadh University, who is my supervisor, and whose advice and assistance proved to be of great benefit to my research and to the correction and completion of this work. With his help- fulness and professionalism, Dr. P. C. Roy informed all of his students with the force and depth of his learning. Here and now, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and highest regards for him, and sincerely thank him for his kindness. 4 Contents Preface . 4 Contents . 5 Chapter I . 9 Introduction . 9 Thailand — Its Location and People . 9 The People of Thailand . 9 The Language of the People . 11 The Religion of Thailand . 12 Culture and Art . 13 Chapter II . 15 The Development of Buddhism in Thailand . 15 The Introduction and The Development of Buddhism in Thailand . 15 The role and development of Buddhism in Thai Monarchies . 17 Chapter III . 25 The Introduction and Origin of Buddhist Art in Thailand . 25 Chapter IV . 33 The Pre-Thai Art . 33 Art of Dvaravati Period (6th or 7th–11th Century A.D.) . 33 The Art of Sri-Vijaya Period (8th–13th Century A.D.) . 48 Lopburi . 58 The Art of Lopburi Period (11th–13th Century A.D.) . 59 Chapter V . 72 The Development of Buddhist Art in Thailand . 72 Development of Architecture the Buddhist art of Thailand . 73 Architectural Features of Thai Religious Buildings — The Wat or Monastery . 74 5 The Uposatha or Temple . 75 The Vihara . 78 The Phra Chedi or Stupa. 79 The Pra Prong . 83 The Mondop . 84 The Pra Sat . 86 The Ho Trai . 87 The Sala . 88 Ho Rakhang and Kuti (Sangarama) . 89 The Development of Sculpture in Buddhist Art of Thailand . 90 Some aspects of Thai Stucco Decoration . 93 Introduction of Painting in Buddhist Art of Thailand . 104 The Characteristics and Technique of Thai Paintings . 106 Chiengsaen . 114 Chapter VI . 115 The Nature and Conception of Buddhist Arts of Thailand (in its different periods) 115 The Art of Chiengsaen Period (Circa 11th–15th Century A.D.) . 115 Architecture . 118 Sculpture . 121 Painting . 125 Sukhothai . 126 The Classical Art of the Sukhothai Period (13th–14th Century A.D.) . 127 Architecture . 128 Sculpture . 135 Mural Painting . 145 U–tong . 149 Art of the U-Tong Period (Circa 12th–15th Century A.D.) . 150 Architecture . 152 Sculpture . 155 6 Ayudhya . 162 Art of the Ayudhya Period (14th–18th Century A.D.) . 163 1. The Art in First Period (1350–1488 A.D.).