THAI MURAL PAINTING: A CASE STUDY OF VISAKHA AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUDDHISM

Abstract

          Thai mural painting is an art form of considerable significance in conveying Buddhist narratives and the beliefs of Thai society since ancient times. The scenes depicted in murals are generally related to the life of the Buddha and to important events recorded in the Tipitaka. In addition to the Buddha and his disciples, murals also portray lay figures who played significant roles in Buddhism, particularly women who served as female lay devotees (Upasika). One such figure is “Visakha,” who is honoured as foremost (Etadagga) in the giving of alms. Her representation in mural painting does not merely recount the life of the Buddha; rather, it constitutes an idealized image of a woman of faith who acted as a patron and supporter of Buddhism, thereby reflecting the values of Rattanakosin-period society concerning gender, status, and morality. At the same time, the study considers the materials and techniques employed in such paintings, including lime-plaster walls, powdered pigments, and gold leaf, and analyses the symbolic meaning of female figures within the contexts of art and Buddhist thought. The analysis indicates that depictions of Visakha are typically presented as those of a woman of faith who played an active role in the patronage of Buddhism, reflecting the values of Thai society, which accords importance to merit-making, almsgiving, and the role of the laity in supporting Buddhism.