Abstract:
The research focuses on survey and collecting the information of the lotus and water lilies which are performed in conventional media and modern media. The researcher investigates how the Buddhist wisdom has been transmission by the variety of lotus and water lilies performance. Moreover, the researcher considers the relation of the Thai way of life and lotus and water lilies in conventional media and modern media.
The research objectives are:
1. To survey the performance of lotus and water lilies in conventional media. In this research the mural painting in Buddhist temple is the representative of the conventional media. The mural painting is purposive sampling from 15 Buddhist temples in Bangkok and 14 Buddhist temples in Pathumtani province. The mural painting is classified in 3 periods; 1. The Autthaya period (1350-1767), 2. The Thonburi period (1767-1782) to the early of Rattanakosin period (1782- 1868), and 3. The middle of Rattanakosin period to present time (1868 - ).
2. To survey the performance of lotus and water lilies in modern media. In this research Thai film is the representative of the modern media. The films are purposive sampling for 99 films and classified for 5 decade; the 1960s for 4 films, the 1970s for 12 films, the 1980s for 43 films, the 1990s for 9 films, and the 2000s for 31 films.
The results are:
1. The 2 groups of the lotus and water lilies are performed in the mural painting as follow:
1.1 The pictures present the Buddhist wisdom such as the story of Lord Buddha life, Jataka tales, heaven, and hell. The lotus and water lilies are component of the pictures especially the lord Buddha picture.
1.2 The pictures present the Thai ways of life such as the lotus and water lilies in pond, the lotus and water lilies in bowl.
2. From the 1960s to the 2000s the lotus and water lilies are performed in Thai films as follow:
2.1 The lotus and water lilies are the symbol of the Buddhism. They are performed in scenes that relate to the Buddhism such as ordain, give food offering to the Buddhist monk.
2.2 The lotus and water lilies are performed in scenes that show Thai ways of life such as the lotus and water lilies in river.
2.3 The lotus and water lilies are performed in superstitious scenes such as in execution scene, ghost scene.
3. The research shows that the lotus and water lilies are performed in conventional media and modern media. The lotus and water lilies are performed as symbol of Buddhism and Thai ways of life. The Buddhism and Thai ways of life are transmission from the ancient time to the present time through the lotus and water lilies performance.