Ways of Happiness and Goodness in the Greater Mekong Subregion Civilization: A Case Study of Creations in Luang Prabang District and Vientiane District Lao PDR.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were 1. to indicate people’s faith in Buddhism in Lao PDR and 2. to express individualism in people, which is bonded with the tradition and culture of the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study was qualitative research investigating people’s ways of life, local arts, and Songkran Festival in Lao PDR through documents, conversations in field study, photography, and sketches in rural areas, Buddhist temples, and museums. In Luang Prabang District, the data were collected from Chiengthong Temple, Mai Temple, and Pusri Temple, while in Vientiane, the data were collected from Thatluang Temple, Srimueng Temple, Ong Tue Temple, Sirsaket Temple, Prakaew Temple, and the Victory Gate. The other places where the data were collected included the National Museum of Luang Prabang and Lao National Museum. All the data from documents, records, and observations were studied to find the creation techniques, symbolic shapes, and concepts of creation. Then, the findings were analyzed through the theories of artistic elements. The results are as follows. 1) The art works found in those places are oil paintings which indicate people’s strong faith in Buddhism in the Greater Mekong Subregion, especially in Lao PDR. They have been created through fine tradition and culture inherited from the past until the present time and 2) Those creative works reflect individualism of the creators who admire culture and ways of life of people in Lao PDR, which are similar to those of rural people in Isan, the root and the birthplace of the researcher of this study.