|
 The Thais have
their own culture (including literature, drama, architecture,
music, painting, sculpture, folk dances and many handicrafts),
their own language, their own cuisine, their own martial arts
and their own beliefs. Though many fortuitous Indian and Chinese
cultural traits have partially influenced Thai culture in many
aspects, it is the mixture of these and Thai eclecticism that
has, over the centuries, developed the idiosyncratic culture
that is unique to Thailand.
Buddhism has been influential in shaping the Thai arts. We can
see it in Thai-style architecture, sculpture, painting, and
literature. Buddhism and the arts are inextricably linked.
Undoubtedly, the best place to see the classical Thai arts is
the Buddhist temple.
The superimposed and multi-colored tile roofs
and the
magnificent gables with decorated edges and sharp pointed ends
are unique features of Thai temples. Thai-style sculpture and
mural paintings can also be seen in Buddhist temples. The
greatest evidence of Thai sculpture can be seen in images of the
Buddha in various postures and attitudes. Typical Thai
paintings, too, are omnipresent on the interior walls of temple
ordination halls (bots), assembly halls (viharns) and galleries.
Although, Buddhism is the primary and state religion, Thais have
always subscribed to the ideal of religious freedom. Other than
the 95 per cent of Thai people that practice Theravada Buddhism,
several minority groups follow other religions.
|
