The Paintings of Tika Bahung in the Main Hall of Wat Shipakhao, Bang Plama District, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

The Buddhist chant known as Tika Bahung, also known as Buddha-chai-monkol-khata, or Bahungmahaka, celebrates the Lord Buddha’s eight victories over both humans and non-humans. The major victories as read from the chant are depicted in the paintings of Tika Bahung. According to legends, the Lord Buddha defeated demons many times; however, the eight victories that received the most praise were those in which he defeated Mara the chief of demons, Alavaka Yakkha, Nalagiri the elephant, Angulimala, Cincamanavika, Saccaka Nigantha, Nandopananda the serpent, and Baka Brahma. The paintings of Tika Bahung that were typically represented in traditional Thai arts depicted all of the eight victories; they commonly consisting one story per one screen, and were most likely painted on the space between the windows or the decorated wooden beams. The paintings of Tika Bahung in the main hall of Wat Shipakhao, however, are distinctive because of their intricate details. Some stories portrayed more than one panels; some were combined in other; and, the story of the Lord Buddha’s victory against Sundariparipajika was included in the series of eight victories. As a result, the paintings of Tika Bahung in the main hall of Wat Shipakhao stand out for the subject matter that the artists chose as well as their artistic choices regarding background arrangements and compositions.