The Important Buddha Images: Concepts, Values and Influences in Thai Society

Abstract

This article is the part of research entitled ‘The Important Buddha Images: Concepts, Values and Influences in Thai Society’ has 3 objectives: 1) to study the history and characteristics of Buddhist arts of Buddha statues in Thai society, 2) to study the concepts and value and 3) analysis of important Buddha statues along with development of Buddhism in Thai society. The sample population includes 17 people such as abbots, community leaders, religious scholars, experts on history of Buddhist arts and devotees. Research tool was in-depth-interview. The result found that;

1) Luang Phor Sothorn was casted by Lanchang or Laos style. At first, the statue was made of bronze but later covered by concrete to enlarge the statues' size, then coated with gold leaves as deity. The face is like Lanna style.  The top of the head is designed like banana flower. He was sitting on 4 gem thrones, covered by holy robe, in the right hand, statue is wearing bangle and wearing the thin robe. Luang Phor Wat Rai khing, made of bronze with Chiangsan style in evil victory posture, casted by Lanna and Lanchang crafts. Luang Phor Tho Wat Bangpli Yai, with the gesture of Subduing Mara and opened eyes, sitting in half lotus posture, was casted in Sukhothai style, all body had been made from bronze. In the record, it was built in Lanchang and Lanna Period. Luang Phor Wat Banlam, had been casted with bronze and pasted by gold leaves. His characteristics was found in last Sukhothai and earlier Ayutthaya period, standing and carrying alms bowl posture with 170 meters in high. Statue’s hands and arms are movable. It was wearing clothes and casted in Lanchang and Lanna.

1. Most of Buddhists believe that these Buddha images contain divine power, able to fulfill wishes and success to the prayers. This is the reason that people like to come and pay respect to the important Buddha statues. Only worshiping of these images is not perfect and truly blissful but the devotees to these important Buddha images must cultivate merits by following morals, concentration, wisdom which can truly reach goal and true happiness.


2. Buddha statues were the replica of the real Buddha to Buddhists which can make people remember all His quality and teaching then urging to follow his preaching in daily life with mindfulness and wisdom until one can upgrade themselves with insight meditation through the way of eliminating all of suffering to enlightenment, it also provides the mental value and ground for tradition and culture Thais from birth to die.