Buddha Paintings :: Limestone Buddha

All things have a story...

Thailand is affectionately known as the “Land of Smiles”, but it is also the land of Buddhism. One trip to the country will reveal thousands of orange clad monks walking the streets and radiant gold colored temples shimmering beneath the hot sun. About 95% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist. But Buddhism splintered into several different sects in the centuries after the Buddha’s death.

The population of Thailand practices a form of Buddhism called Theravada. It literally means “The Teaching of the Elders” and is the oldest sect of Buddhism in the world. Theravada is a conservative school of Buddhism and holds truest to the pure teachings of the Buddha. There exist over 100 million Theravada Buddhists worldwide, but most of them reside in Thailand (nearly 60 million). Still, Thailand is a land where different beliefs converge to create a unique cultural identity. Before Buddhism came to Thailand (about 2,000 years ago), the people believed in folk beliefs. Additionally, Chinese who immigrated to Thailand brought ancestor worship. This has created a mix in Thailand of Theravada Buddhism, folk beliefs and ancestor worship.

Nearly all Thai people are superstitious and many in the north still sacrifice animals to the “gods.” Images of the Buddha are prevalent in Thailand and are intended to spread the Buddha’s message as well as serve as a reminder of his principles. Through the centuries, different locations in Thailand began to paint and sculpt different forms of Buddha images. A Buddha in the south of Thailand, therefore, might have subtle differences in its characteristics. Still, Buddhism is a force in Thailand that permeates every part of life and greatly influences the people, which may explain why Thai people are among the most friendly and accepting people in the world.