AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS BELIEF IN HIMMAPAN FORREST AND ITS INFLUENCE TO LANNA BUDDHIST ARTS

Abstract

              This research is aimed to study the beliefs of Himmapan forest that influences Buddhist Lanna Art. There are three purposes in this studying: 1.To study the background and beliefs about the Himmapan forest in Buddhism. 2.To study the style Buddhist Lanna Art. 3. To study the beliefs about the Himmapan forest that influences on Buddhist Lanna Art by studying and collecting information from the scriptures, and other books or texts including research through the Internet. There are information about the belief of Himmapan forest as well as inquiries from academics and experts in Buddhist art and other assosiated fields.To present the origin of the beliefs and influences on Himmapan forests that affect the creation of Buddhist Lanna Art territory. To be guideline for studying and conservative practices development further.
            The results of this study found that: The belief in Himmapan forest or baroque animals have many races and ideas that may come together by chance or influence each other in mentally. The craftsmanship and artistry of the decor is strange, the shape of human head looks like animals. There is evidence from the Egyptian Era. Later generations in Greek appears in legendary baroque animals, Greek is the first nation that travels and connects Europe and Asia. So there is some exchanging ideas, beliefs in various fields that why baroque’s beliefs spread to Asia. India is the birthplace country of Asian art and culture. There are baroque animals associated with Thai art such as Garuda, Naga, etc. In Thailand, we believe in the monsters that come with Indian Buddhism. The obvious evidence of Himmapan creature,we also belief from Traibhumikatha (The story of the Three Planes of Existence)
               The belief in Himmapan forests influence the way how to decorate the place with the Great Creatures. We believe that these animals are wonderful creatures with great power to protect religious buildings from various dangers. On the other side they look so beautiful like heaven that cause to lead people worship and faith then behave in morality. Buddhists belief in commitment merit as navigator to be born in the higher level future incarnation or finish round of existences, the ultimate goal to nirvana.