Buddhist Beliefs and Philosophies Appearing in the Murals

Abstract

This article aims to study Buddhist Beliefs and Philosophies Appearing in the Murals. Ancient Thai paintings reflect of living conditions and environment of people in the past are recorded. Which characterizes local life, culture, customs and traditions of society at that time. Paintings are historical evidence as well as inscriptions recorded by letters to record events. The painting gives a special feeling that can be described as broadly imaginative, valuable and useful as an aesthetic beauty harmonious in its composition in relation to lines and colors. It is a characteristic of Thai art that is delicate and evokes a feeling of admiration and joy. Thai painting has its own unique style and method unlike any painting of any nation. Buddhism is one of the characteristics of the Thai nation and has been important to the lives of Thai people since the Sukhothai period, as shown in the literature titled "Tephumikatha" or "Tribhum Phra Ruang". Phramaha Thammaracha Lithai composed it to instill religious faith in the people. It was used to train people's consciousness in performing good deeds and avoiding bad deeds until it became a unique identity of Thai society in making merit, giving alms, keeping the precepts, and upholding Buddhism. Traibhum has been conveyed in a concrete way by painting murals in churches and viharas as a means of cultivating belief in heaven and karma. The belief in karma influences the way of life. Those who do good deeds have the goal of a good life in the next life or ascension to a better realm, cessation of suffering, defilement, and attaining nirvana.