Abstract
This study has three objectives;1) to study of beauty of Buddha Image in Sukhothai period according to principle of aesthetic perspectives, 2) to study the doctrinal principle appearing in Buddha Image of Sukhothai Age, and 3) to study faith affected by Buddha Images of Sukhothai period to practice Insight meditation. This study was carried out by collecting data from original scripture of Buddhism such as Tipitaka, commentaries, sub-commentaries, books, academic works, the related reports and research, then composed, explained in type of description, corrected and verified by Buddhist scholars.
From this study, it found that the Buddha Images in Sukhothai period were highest classic age of Thai arts. It was accepted as most beautiful in both of perspectives and composition of art since beauty of Image served an highest ideas of Buddhism. In the first period, Buddha image contained proper parts; his fingers were delicate, long and slender. The faces were sweet and gentle. The eyes looked much down nearly to close. In the second period, the Buddha images were of completely pleasurable, his fingers were equally long and feet were equally simple. In this period, the Buddha image of Maravijjaya or Evil-Victory posture with glassware house was very popular, which had its own special characteristic. This was beauty as Idealism in Buddhism and compatible to principle of aesthetic elements of arts.
The Buddha Image in Sukhothai period consisted of dominant characteristics containing the Great Characteristics of Buddhas which influenced to rise up the faith in Buddhism for the beginners. The Buddha images represented core teaching of deliverance (Vimuttidhamma) seen in Phra Buddha-Jinraj image which showed absolute serenity and bliss, the practical code of Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) seen in Phra Si-Iriyaboth (Buddha in four gestures) and morality in diary life such as finger of Buddha image such as the long ears means man should not easily believe others unless he proved by evidences and reason. Face looking down warned that man should look into original of ones’ proplems or looking down others and so on.
The faith in Buddhism had self-confidence in wholesomeness as its the characteristics, believing as its duty, brightness in mind as its result, worshiping objects as its base. Faith was divided into two kinds namely; faith with wisdom and faith without wisdom. The one who followed faith started from impression of Buddha image as his encouragement will follow code of morality, concentration and insight meditation in Buddhism. In order to practice of Insight meditation for obtaining path (Magga), fruits (Phala) and Nibbāna, practitioners must be faithful with wisdom to empowering the rest of power (Pala) and faculties (Indriya); effort (Viriya), mindfulness (Sati) and meditation (Samādhi) for realizing name and forms (Nama-rupa) as they are by observing and developing four foundations of mindfulness which was said as one path leading to the cessation of all suffering which was final goal of Bu6ddhism.
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