When the Thai people first originated, they started out in what we describe as northern Vietnam. There was population pressure from Chinese people migrating southward out of China, as there were only so many people that could be supported on that land. Therefore, the Tai people chose to migrate westward looking for a more suitable place to reside.
As a large population of people migrate, they do not pick up everyone and move to a certain area, there are some people who stay behind. This is how we know this migration took place. Anthropologist, and other researchers, have done cultural and linguistic studies to determine that this migration took places as there are people spread across the region from northern Vietnam towards Myanmar and now, in Thailand, with similar cultural and spiritual practices, as well as similar language.
The Tai people, migrating westward, were looking for a place they could comfortably inhabit, a land that could support their people. But, in doing so, they found themselves in the middle of a war.
The Burmese and Cambodian people were at war with each other over the land that we now refer to as “Thailand”.
The people of the Tai ethnic group, T A I, eventually became known as the Thai people, spelled T H A I, decided to attempt to carve out land for themselves between the Burmese and the Cambodians.
They started setting up capitals, first in Chiang Mai, then Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and now Bangkok, or Krueng Thep, as spoken by Thai people.
These capitals typically only held for a short period of time before the Burmese destroyed them. This is why Chiang Mai has a moat around the city and was once a walled city. They were attempting to protect themselves from invasions.
During these time periods, as the Thai people were migrating further south, there are different periods of artistic representation of the statues of The Buddha. And, I am going to introduce you to these three timeframes of Buddhist artwork so that you will be able to easily identify them when you see them.
Looking at the main altar, if you look to the right, you will see a decorative black statue of The Buddha. This statue is representing the Lanna style of artwork, which is ornate. Sometimes, you will see very intricate depictions of The Buddha wearing fancy clothing, even with golden trim. This is not how The Buddha actually dressed during his lifetime as The Buddha but, it is how people were choosing to represent him artistically during the timeframe of the Lanna Kingdom.
The large black statue of The Buddha, the primary statue on the altar, this is the Sukhothai timeframe of artistic representation. You will be able to identify it through the simple and clean lines, with the pointed crown on the head.
Then, the golden image in the middle, with a rounded head piece, this is from the Ayutthaya period.
As you travel around Thailand, and the world, you will see different statues representing The Buddha in different ways. You will rarely see a statue that represents how The Buddha looked during his lifetime but, the image I share with you here, is how he appeared during his lifetime.
He shaved his head and wore simple rag robes.
If you see statues from China, some people think The Buddha appears very Chinese. If you see statues from Japan, you might think The Buddha appears to be Japanese. Some people might say the Thai statues make The Buddha appear to be Thai.
In reality, The Buddha lived and taught in the region of the world that we refer to as Nepal and northeast India. The Buddha was born in Nepal, and did most of his Teaching in what we refer to as northeast India. But, those lines and borders did not exist during the lifetime of The Buddha.
Over to the right, you can see a photo of King Rama 9 as an Ordained Practitioner. It is common to see photos of King Rama 9 in places where people gather. He was a very beloved King. The Thai people have a lot of gratitude and respect for him.
He was not originally supposed to be the King, he was studying in the USA to be an engineer at MIT. But, his brother, King Rama 8, was assassinated and he was chosen to be the next King.
The King of Thailand is like an advisor to the Thai people, kind of like a Father or Grandfather. The King is not typically involved in the day-to-day functioning of the country, that is up to the people and the government officials. But, the King is there to help when his assistance is requested.
King Rama 9 did many projects to help the Thai people, and therefore, he was very beloved. He was a family man, only ever having one wife and deeply devoted to his family. King Rama 9 was practicing The Teachings of The Buddha closely, and is why the Thai people have so much respect for him.
But, at different times, the government would have challenges and they would come to the King for help.
King Rama 9 was born in 1927 and died in 2016. He was the longest reining King in existence during his lifetime, and guided the Thai people through many decades of growth and prosperity, as well as difficult times.
One time, there was massive flooding and villages were underwater. Their houses and crops were being destroyed. The government could not figure out how to get the water to flow and solve the problem. So, knowing the King had trained to be an engineer, they came to the King for help.
King Rama 9 went out to visit the village, rolled up his pants legs, and waded through the flood waters, which amazed the Thai people that a King would do something of that nature.
He took out his sketch pad, drew pictures, took photographs, etc. and explained how to get the water to flow. The government implemented his ideas, the water flowed, and the village was saved. People were overjoyed that the King had helped them to find a solution to their village’s challenges.
There were these types of situations and others, where the King was praised for his service to the public.
At one time, it was very difficult for women over 40 to find a job and acquire the needed income to support themselves. The King understanding this challenge, started projects that trained and employed older women, giving them the ability to support themselves with an income.
It was these types of projects and others, that helped the Thai people, which promoted a sense of appreciation, gratitude, and respect by the Thai people for their King.
