An Analytical Study of Influences and Values of Buddhist Arts in the King Muang Kaew’s Reign of Lan Na

Abstract

This research is of 3 objectives: 1) to study the King Muang Kaew’s history and preservation of Buddhism, 2) to search for archaeological sites of Buddhism in the King Muang Kaew’s reign, 3) to analyze the influence and valuable works of Buddhist arts in the King Muang Kaew’s reign. It is the qualitative research with collecting data from documents and the interview with the 22 key informants.

Here are the results: 1) King Muang Kaew  was  the 11^th King in Meng Rai at the age of 13 years  in 2038 B.E. and passed away at the age of 44 in  2068 B.E. having no sons and daughters. During his 30 years reigning time, ha had promoted and preserved Buddhism reaching the most prosperous point known as the Golden Age of Buddhism in Lanna. There were many Buddhist Monk Scholars who were able to write nomberious Buddhist literatures in Pali. 2) The Buddhist archaeological sites during the reign of King Mueang Kae were found many important pieces of inscriptions and archeology, such as the inscription of the Great Temple of Singha Luang Haripunjapuri, the inscription of Savavasitthi, the Stupas, Maim Halls, the Dharma Halls at Wat Phra That Hariphunjaya, Lamphun, Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai. 3) Regarding the influence and value of Buddhist arts in the Muang Kaew's reign in Lanna, there were found the Lanna style of Buddhist Arts at various religious places, those had created the value in the historical, Buddhist Arts, and the archeological preservation until the present.