Thailand sculpture

Together with Buddhism, the sculptors of the countries of Southeast Asia adopted the art of Buddha images. Buddhists of ancient India for a long time negative attitude to the possibility of the image of the Master. Initially, the presence on the bas-reliefs with scenes from the life of the Buddha was symbolically designated - a stone altar or bench, footprints, stupas, the wheel of the law , a tree, denoting an event in his life. The first sculptural images of the Buddha in human form appeared at the beginning of the first millennium BC. er in Gandhara or Mathura . These images continued to be combined with the same symbols. From this time on, the Buddha became depicted only as a person marked with the seal of the highest destiny. The Buddha’s diversity is emphasized by 32 signs , including special bodily signs - long fingers, a bump on the head (ushnish), etc. The canon of Buddha images was formed in India and consisted of three parts: the anatomy of the Buddha, posture and hand gesture. In Thailand, the Indian canon was perceived in its South Indian version.

Currently, Buddha images in Thailand are associated with concerns about the welfare and security of a person, his family, city and the entire state. According to Buddhist ideas, his images have fiery energy emanating from the crown of the head or gilding covering the body. Different cities had their own sculpture-intercessor. The capture of the sculpture by the enemy was regarded as defeat. The power of the Buddha statue was not considered constant. For example, it was believed that the magical power of the statue of "Sinhala Buddha" for 300 years as exhausted. And only in 1982, to the 200th anniversary of the Chakri dynasty, people believed in its energy.

One of the reasons for creating a large number of Buddha statues in Thailand was the need to accumulate the merits inherent to Buddhists. Creating sculptures of Buddha and objects related to him allowed to accumulate a stock of "good deeds". The following rebirth of the believer depended on their number. In this case, a rich man was required to create a golden statue, and the poor were counted an order for a clay figurine. In the monastery, the main big Buddha statue is housed in the Ubasote sanctuary with smaller statues that also include Buddha’s disciples.

In Thailand, as in other countries of Southeast Asia, there are four types of Sculpture Teacher images: a standing Buddha, a walking Buddha, a sitting Buddha and a reclining Buddha.

• The images of the reclining Buddha are similar. Buddha lies on the right side, bent at the elbow, the right hand supports the head.
• The Buddha sits in two basic positions. The maravijay pose symbolizes victory over the tempting demon Mara . In the maravijay posture, the Buddha sits with his legs crossed, and his right hand rests on his right knee. The sitting position of the samadhi or lotus shows calm and victory over passions.

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  Statue of the Reclining Buddha, Dvaravati School

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  Buddha Statue, Ayutthaya School

Buddha figures are distinguished by mudras (Skt. "Gesture"), that is, different symbolic positions of hands and fingers:

• Abhaya-mudra's gesture ( Skt. अभय , abhaya ^IAST , literally “without fear”) - the right hand of the Buddha is bent on the chest, the palm with pressed fingers facing out, the left hand resting on the side. In Thailand, this wise portrayed walking Buddha.
• Gesture of Varada Mudra ( Skt. वरद , varada ^IAST - the left hand is half-omitted, the palm is open and pointing down. Varada Mudra is often used in tandem with abhaya-mudra.
• Gesture Dharmachakra Mudra ( Skt. धर्मचक्र , dharmacakra ^IAST , “rule of law”) - the thumb and index fingers of the left hand are touching, depicting the Dharma wheel, three straightened fingers symbolize the three Buddhism Jewels. This gesture symbolizes the first sermon, when the Buddha revealed the Dharma to the disciples (“turned the wheel of Dharma”).
• Gesture of Dhyana Mudra ( Sk. ध्यान , dhyāna ^IAST , “meditation, concentration”) - hands are on the knees up with palms. The gesture symbolizes self-escalation.

Also known: Bhumisparsha Mudra, Vitarka Mudra, Vajra Mudra, Varuna Mudra, Anjali Mudra and Digzub Mudra with different positions of hands and fingers.

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  Running buddha National Museum Bangkok

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  Buddha Shakyamuni

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  Running buddha

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  Running buddha

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  Running buddha

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  Running buddha

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  Running buddha

The French scientist Boisselier singled out 8 schools in the works of Buddhist sculpture in Thailand:

• School of the early stage (IV — VI century)
• School Dvaravati (VII — XIII century)
• School of Srivijaya (VII — XIII century)
• Lopburi School (VII — XIV centuries)
• School of Sukhothai (XIII — XV century)
• Lanna or Chiang Mai School (XIII — XX centuries)
• Ayutthaya School (XIV — XVIII centuries)
• School of Thonburi and Bangkok (end of XVIII century to the present). A more detailed classification scheme was developed by the Thai scientist Piria Kradrik.

The Buddhist state Dvaravati existed in the IV - XI centuries in the territory of modern Central Thailand ^[1] . The name of the state is translated as “multiple”, from the coins found there, on which “ śrī dvāravatī” (“ Sri with many gates”) is written in Sanskrit .

Dvaravati sculpture developed in the VII-VIII centuries in the monk state under the influence of Indian culture. This is evidenced by the works of stone and bronze sculptors. In the same period, the influence of India ceases. Characteristic works of sculptors of this period are the images of a standing Buddha and the wheels of the law (Dharmachakra) ^[2] , made in stone. Buddha images had the features of the inhabitants of this state: flat faces, accrete eyebrows, bulging eyes, wide nose, large mouth. Sitting statues of Buddha are characterized by a posture with their feet set on the ground.

The art of Dvaravati flourished in the 6th — 11th centuries. n er

Srivijaya (whale. 三 佛 齐, 室 利 佛 逝 200-1400) is an ancient Malay kingdom with the center on the island of Sumatra. Created about 200 to 500 years. n e., ceased to exist around 1400. During the heyday, Srivijaya owned part of modern Thailand.

Sculptors of Srivijayi School, located on a peninsular part of Thailand, inspired by the Theravada Buddhist School, according to the traditions of the masters of Central Java, made small statues of a seated Buddha. During these years, Thai masters worked in Indian traditions.

Lopburi was the capital of the Khmer state in Thailand in the XI-XIII centuries.

However, the Lopburi School was established on the eastern outskirts of Thailand even before the establishment of Khmer domination in Central Thailand - about the VII century. Most of the remaining works of the school date from the XI-XV centuries, in the eastern regions of the country, the school functioned until the XIX century. The main material for making sculptures is stone and bronze.

A typical Buddha image of the Lopburi School is a short face with a rectangular face and a wide mouth, the expression on the face is manly and stern. During this period, statues of the Buddha sitting in meditation are created, sometimes he sits on the seven-headed dragon Naga, coiled up in rings. The monuments of the Lopburi School include Hindu images of the gods Shiva , Vishnu and Viswakarma.

The medieval Thai state Sukhothai , located in the XIII-XV centuries in the territory of modern Thailand around the city of Sukhothai.

In the XIII century in Central Thailand begins the mass production of images of the Buddha, characteristic of the Theravada Buddhism direction. The Sukhothai school is being created in the country (XIII-XVI century). Within the school, two styles are distinguished - the pre-classical (until the XIV century) and the late classical (XV-XVI centuries). In this school, statues of Buddha were created for temples, for the outer niches of multi-tiered pyramidal Buddhist stupas .

Sculptures of the school of Sukhothai began to depict the Buddha, not as a merciless man, but as a Supreme being with female features. There are sculptures of a walking Buddha, a sitting Buddha. The sculptures are characterized by shades of mystery and mysticism. Of the sculptures of this period, the sitting Buddha at Wat Mahathat in Phitsanulok is preserved, becoming the object of pilgrimage and the standing Buddha at Phuttamonton. Buddha sculpture in Phitsanulok is made of bronze and gilded. Lying Buddhas were laid on the right side of the statue of standing Buddhas.

Sukhothai masters gave the faces of Buddha statues Siamese signs.

The art of Thailand during the Sukhothai period is considered its “golden age” ^[3] .

During these years, a style developed under the name U Tong developed in the central part of Thailand. Sculptures from this period were influenced by Khmer art and Sukhothai style. Buddha images of this period are characterized by a belligerent facial expression with square proportions typical of the Mon-Khmer group. Body shapes are simplified. Signs of the Buddha statue of U Tong became a small strip separating the hair and forehead, an elongated robe, falling from the left shoulder and ending in a straight line, the posture of pacifying the evil spirit of Mara with her right hand down and the concave pedestal of the statue.

After the founding of Chiang Mai in 1296 in the north of Thailand, a Thai sculpture appears with images of a "lion type". Different materials were used to create sculptures - from gypsum and precious metals to pure gold. Buddha was depicted sitting with a round face.

The model of Lanna’s school is a sculpture of a seated Buddha on a gilded throne.

The Thai state of Ayutia existed from 1351 to 1767. The name Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya) comes from the Sanskrit language.

In Ayutthaya, his own style of sculpture was developed with the name of the Ayutthaya School. In this style there was a merger of the Sukhothai and Khmer styles. The first step to the addition of the Ayutthaya school was the emergence of the “Uthong” style. This style depicted seated Buddhas with a naked right shoulder.

The most numerous works of Ayutinsky sculptors were standing Buddha of colossal size and lying Buddha. In the late Ayutan period, Buddha images in royal robes on richly decorated pedestals were popular. These include the famous "Emerald Buddha" 10-meter high. The emerald Buddha was made of jade and decorated with gold. This 66 cm tall Buddha Shakyamuni statue is considered a talisman of Thailand . It was discovered in 1436 in Chiengrai in the wreckage of a pagoda destroyed by lightning.

An event in the history of Thai sculpture was a cast in the time of Ayutthaya in 1458, 550 Buddha statues - by the number of its reincarnations ( jatak ).

The beginning of the Bangkok period in Thai sculpture was marked by imitation of the sculpture of Ayutinskaya school. The kings of Thailand showed concern for the preservation of national monuments. In Bangkok, they brought statues from the dilapidated temples of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and others. King Rama I brought them Vientiane to the statue of the Emerald Buddha and created a ritual of dressing her up in robes, corresponding to different seasons. Changing took place at the beginning twice a year, then - three times. In the temple of Wat Po sculptors created 152 marble bas-reliefs with episodes from the Thai national epos Ramakian .

The sculptors of these schools depict mythological creatures worshiping the Buddha, Yakcha, Kinnara, Garud, animals. They sculptors adorn the walls and gables of buildings.

In the temples of Wat Arun, Wat Suthat appear sculptures of military men and sailors in uniform, musicians playing the lute, etc.

Since the reign of King Rama IV in Thailand, the influence of Western art has increased. King Rama V contributed to the revival of the Sukhothai style, ordering in 1920 for the temple of Wat Benchamaphophit "King Rama V's Temple" in Bangkok, a copy of the statue of Dzhinaracha ("Victorious King") in the Sukhothai style of the XV century ^[4] . At the base of the statue is the ashes of King Rama V. In the gallery of the temple along the walls are 52 copies of Buddha sculptures from different periods and styles.

The Sukhothai style of sculpture is popular in Thailand and is currently regarded as the pinnacle of national art. In modern Thai society, there is still a need for Buddha images.

On November 11, 1908, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the king's accession to the throne of King Chulalongkorn ( Rama V ), a bronze equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn was opened in Bangkok. Statue mounted on a stone pedestal in the center of the Royal Square in Bangkok. Sculptors Clovis-Edmond Masson (Clovis-Edmond Masson) and Georges Saulo, France.

In Prachuap Khiri Khan province, in the park of Lan Maharaj , bronze statues of kings of Thailand are installed. Monuments to kings have been erected in various provinces of the country - from Rama I to Rama VII.

The founder of contemporary art in Thailand is considered to be the sculptor Silpa Bhirasri (1892-1962). Corrado Feroci studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. In 1925 he went to Thailand to teach sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts. During the years of Japanese occupation, he changed his name and became a citizen of Thailand. Silpa Bhirasri founded an art school in the country, which later became the University of Sinlapakon.

The sculptor Silpa Bhirasri created: a monument to Rama I on the Phra-Puttha-Jodf bridge, Bangkok; Rama VI monument at the entrance to Lumpini Park, Bangkok; Buddha statue in Phuttamonthon Park and others. In 1948, Bhirasri began to hold national art exhibitions in Thailand.

After the Second World War, an interest in national traditions appeared in Thai art. Thai sculptors Khien Yimsiri, Chamryang Vichiengket, Chit Rienpracha created interesting works, combining the traditions of Thai sculpture with modern views in solving images. Artists Chlut Nimsama and Mision Yip Insoy created sculptures dedicated to the life of a Thai village. Interesting work of the sculptor and animal painter Paituna Mueangsomuna.

In the mid-60s, realism in the work of sculptors exhausted its possibilities. Modernist tendencies appeared in art, in which Thai masters began to imitate Western models. Sculptors Sukri and Vacharapon Ithi Konkakun ^[5] worked in this direction.

In 1975, in the north of Thailand, a giant sculpture park was created in Sala Keoku Park. The park was created by the spiritual leader Luang-poo Bunly Zulilat of Nong Khai. The park contains more than 100 sculptures with a height of more than 25 meters. Interesting is the sculpture of the Buddha and the "wheel of life", which depicts a person's life from birth to death. After the death of Sulilat, a pavilion was built in the park, which is a large three-story concrete building whose domes resemble a mosque. On the 3rd floor of the pavilion there are a large number of artifacts, as well as its mummified body.

In 2010, a park of erotic sculptures was opened in Pattaya ^[6] . The author of sculptures, a sculptor of Korean origin, Song Seo.

• Golden buddha
• Emerald buddha
• Wat benchamaphophit
• Equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn

• "History of the Siamese society" (1934-1960 gg.) // Owls. Ethnography, 1962, No. 4.
• Ivanova Ye. V. “The culture of Thai Thais in Thailand (On the problem of the ethno-cultural ties of the Thai ethnic group)”. The Russian Academy of Sciences. St. Petersburg, 2007.
• Dvaravati is an article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia . E. O. Berzina.
• Pugachenkova G. A. The Art of Gandhara. - M .: Art, 1982. - 196 p.
• John Maizels, Deidi von Schaewen (photo), Angelika Taschen (ed.), Fantasy Worlds , Taschen (2007), pp. 220-221.
• John Maizels (ed.), Raw Vision Outsider Art Sourcebook , Raw Vision Ltd (2002), pp. 98-99.
• John Bowker ( 2002 ). The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions , p.60.
• Konow, Sten. Editor. 1929. Kharoshthī Inscriptions with Exception of those of Asoka . Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. II, Part I. Reprint: Indological Book House, Varanasi, 1969.
• Mukherjee, BN 1981. Mathurā and its Society: The Śaka-Pahlava Phase . Firma KLM Private Limited, Calcutta.

• Temple of the Emerald Buddha - Thailand Shrine
• Thailand Attractions
• Thai Thai culture (To the problem of ethno-cultural relations of the Thai ethnic group)
• Thailand, Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew and the Royal Palace
• Royal Palace in Bangkok
• Salakauku - a giant sculpture park in Thailand
• Buddha statues in Thailand
• หา พระบรม รูป ทรง ม้า รัชกาล ที่ ๕
• รูป วีร กษัตริย์ ทรง ช้าง และ ม้า
• 100 กร ถวาย บังคับ พระบรม รูป รูป ทรง
• หลักฐาน ใหม่ "รูป ทรง ม้า"
• Collected images from Bunleua ​​Sulilat's sculpture gardens
• Photo-tropism : Three (3) photos of Sala Keoku (Sala Kaew Ku)