Abstract:
The purposes of this research were 1) to study the concepts and development of Buddhist arts in the Northeastern region, 2) to study the important characteristics and the learning of Buddhist arts in the Northeastern region, and 3) to
study the value and the influences of important Buddhist arts in the Northeastern region. This research was a qualitative study collecting data from both research papers and field data. 5 areas in 5 provinces in the Northeastern region were selected including Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, and Ubon Ratchathani. The data were collected from 65 monks/persons.
The findings of research as follows:
Buddhist arts created in the Buddha era importantly focused on the benefits and development of the individuals. Therefore, there were architectural Buddhist arts that were part of the buildings. Later in the post-Buddha era, sculptural
Buddhist arts, Buddha images, were created because it was influenced by the belief of Greeks to create idols for respected gods. Buddha images were popular in the age that the Buddha's disciples came to proclaim Buddhism during the reign of King Ashoka and when there was a contact for trading until the casting of Buddha images was popular, along with the building of temples in various regions in Thailand. Especially in the Northeastern region of Thailand, it began to have evidence for Urangkhanitan. The Buddha ordered Ananda to take his breastbone ash to be enshrined at Phu Kumpra. Later, the pagoda named Phra That Phanom was built. It was stated in the scripture that the Buddha imprinted his footprints in two places. Later, there was a covering pagoda built with the name Phra That Choeng Chum.
After that, there was evidence showing that the Buddha images were built in this area in the Dvaravati era. The sandstone-carved Buddha images were mostly found. There was a construction of the laying Buddha images on many cliff sheds such as Phra Non Phukhaw in Sahatsakhan District and Phra Non Phupo in Muang District, Kalasin Province. There was a the Sema sandstone carving of Buddha images to show the Sema area of the chapel for worships such as Sema leaves at Ban Kud Ngong, Kut Tum Sub-district, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province. Later, at the time Khmer prospered, there was a sandstone carving of Buddha images in different manners. There was also a building of a castle as a place to perform rituals. After that, some of the places had changed their existing beliefs into Buddhism. In the Lan Xang era, several Buddhist arts were created, especially the Buddha images used in this study that were mostly built in the Lan Xang era. Phra That Chedi Si Song Rak was built to show the borders of both kingdoms and Phra That Phanom and other Buddhist arts that were dilapidated over time were repaired. At the beginning of the
Rattanakosin era, there was emigration moving from the Mekong riversides to set up a city. During that emigration, the city's Buddha images were respectfully engaged to the new city to build the encouragement and willpower for people, as well as to show strong faith in the triple gems and to establish Buddhism in a suitable city.
For the value and the influences of the Buddhist arts, it was found that Buddha images affected the faith and loyalty of people in the community and people pay respect to Buddha images as if they are the city's Buddha images,
creating peace and tranquility in the community and society. It created harmony in people in the community. There are public minds for the cooperation in the annual traditional ceremony. There are incomes from selling souvenirs and hiring people in the community to help arrange a suitable place as a tourist attraction. It resulted in traveling occurred from a consecutively organized culture and traditions since the old days to the present. As a result, there is working capital for the local economy in the areas. People have space where they can have a job aside from their main career as agricultural workers.