An analytical study of Buddhist aesthetics In Sunthornphu’s literatures

Abstract

The objectives of this research were as follows; 1) to study of Buddhist aesthetics, 2) to study a Sunthornphu’s literature named Phra Apaimanee, 3) to analyze the values of Buddhist aesthetics in Phra Apaimanee literature , and 4) to present a new model on values of Buddhist aesthetics in Sunthornphu’s liturature named phra Apaimanee The research was a qualitative study by studying and analyzing data collected from the Tipitaka, Phra Apaimanee literature and other relating texts and documents along with in-depth interview with expert, 4 monks and 5 laymen. The work was presented in a descriptive method. The results of research could be summarized that:- 1) The Buddhist aesthetics refered to the Buddha’s teachings for training human being physically and mentally with aesthetics in 3 levels; precepts, concentration and wisdom. 2) Phra Apaimanee literature was written from Sunthornphu’s real life and his imagination. The Buddhist principles; morality, mentality and wisdom, were embedded in the literature. 3) The values of Phra Apaimanee literature were obtained from speech, action and thinking of the characters that go along with the Buddhist values; i.e. morality, mentality and wisdom. The Buddhist principles found from Phra Apaimanee literature are Saggahavattu Dhamma, Brahmavihara Dhamma, the tenfold code of the king. Gharavasa Dhamma, gratitude, the threefold traning, the three common characteristics, the law of Kamma, five aggregates and Nibbana. Sunthornphu is apoet who has a capability in writing and he can insert Buddhist principles in his literary work so appropriately that his work can present the idea of Buddhist aesthetics creatively and applicatively. The writers should be qualifiled with knowledge, understand and belief in whatever topics they will compose. A new body of knowledge obtained from this research can be concluded with a “KUB” model; K stand for knowledge in Buddhist principles and writing methodology and technique. U stand for the understand in Buddhist principles, backgrounds of story scenes and presentation strategies. B refers to a belief in Buddhist principles that those principles can benefit the one who follows it. The values of Buddhist aesthetics in Phra Apaimanee literature are beneficial to readers and writers for they can experience bodily beauty, verbal beauty and mental beauty according to Buddhist philosophy. The Buddits principles can create fundamental, intermediate and advanced levels of beauty; wherever the Buddhist principles are found, there exist the Buddhist aesthetics.