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A Study of Thai Monk’s Roles in Building the Buddha’s Statues 2011
Researcher : Ms. Preyaluk Donavanik date : 17/07/2012
Degree : ¾Ø·¸ÈÒʵÃÁËҺѳ±Ôµ(¾Ãоط¸ÈÒʹÒ)
Committee :
  ¾ÃÐÊظոÃÃÁÒ¹ØÇѵà (à·Õº ÊÔÃÔ­Òâ³), ¼È.´Ã.
  ´Ã.áÁèªÕ¡ÄÉ³Ò ÃÑ¡ÉÒâ©Á
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Graduate : 2554
 
Abstract

This research aims to focus on the following dimensions: (1) The historical background of the existing Buddha’s statues in Thailand  and  the process of  building them.
(2) The roles being played by Thai Buddhist monks in building Buddha’s statues and their strategies for the propagation of Buddhism. (3) A case study of   Phra Gru Bhavana Cittasundara (Somjit Cittasamvaro) in building the Buddha’s statues and his strategies for the propagation of Buddhism.

At present, Buddhist monks have increased their roles in building Buddha’s statues because of modern technology to build them and effectively media channels that bring more donations to support monk’s projects. It is believed that Buddha statues are the best media to represent Buddha and Buddhists believe in the sacred of them and the high merits of building them. Hence, monks’projects in building Buddha’s statues are easily successful.

Buddha’s statues are the national valuable treasures, and are the symbol of the country, as well as the center of unity and cultures. Representing the Buddha, they are trusted and worshiped as Buddha, being able to bless those who have faith. Buddha’s statues are magnet that attracts tourists and the local’s. They also attract donation bringing to temples from both local and foreigners.  The Kings in the Chakri Dynasty, are high faithful in the merit of building Buddha’s statues for tradition and special purposes. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej  is the beloved King and He is the King people continually build  the highest amount of Buddha’s statues for .

This study can be concluded that building Buddha’s statues is the interesting propagations of Buddhism, leading the Buddhists to have basic levels of faith in the Buddha to the ultimate intelligent level of enlightenment; however, this depends on each individual wisdom as well. On the contrary, Buddha’s statue would not be the best media to propagate Buddhism, if other important elements were not completed. It is the most important that the monks’ projects should be transparent with their pure intention. The monks should realize the important objective to propagate Buddhism and to raise faith to the Buddhists.               

The case study of Phra Gru Bhavana Cittasundara (Somjit Cittasamvaro) has some remarkably interesting aspects for his projects of building Buddha’s statues. Phra Gru Bhavana has wisely initiated strategies for the propagation of Buddhism ma and the loyalty to the King. He mobilized the benefits from his projects for other merit purposes, for  the Buddhist’s temple, the Dharmma  and the Sagha. The merit of  building Buddha’s statues, leading Phra Gru Bhavana Cittasundara (Somjit Cittasamvaro),himself to gain high  intention to become a Buddha by practicing Bodhisattva Doctrine.

In conclusion, Building Buddha’s statues to express supreme love and faith for Buddha is hard to stop off, and it is the right, but Buddhists should practice His Dhamma, and step ahead from the faith in Buddha and the Buddha’s statues to the supreme intellect of Nibbana. At last, Buddhists should understand that only Phra Arahanta can discard the faith, the teacher, the Buddha’s statues or the Buddha as he had reached the state of enlightenment, nevertheless, the ordinary people are difference.

 

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