Abstract
Sacred Buddha Image is a symbolic culture of the Buddha or the great founder of Buddhism highly praised by Buddhists. Each sacred Buddha image was created from the faith in the Buddha of the head builder, the joint builders, and the sculptor. Most sacred Buddha images in Isan region (northeast Thailand) were built during 637-1817 A.D. and monasteries were also built in the same period. People believe in the sacred power of these period. People believe in them luck, and prosperity. This research reflects the background of some sacred Buddha images and the use of them for promoting cultural tourism, including current situations and difficulties of the use of them as cultural capital for promoting cultural tourism. Research areas consisted of the provinces of Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani where the sacred Buddha images located in.
Highlights
The background of sacred Buddha images which are related to indigenous knowledge on traditions, rituals and beliefs in Isan region
It has revealed that almost all of sacred Buddha images in Isan region were sculpted during 647-1907 and monasteries were built in the same period
Current difficulties of the use of indigenous knowledge on traditions, rituals, and beliefs in sacred Buddha images for developing cultural tourism of communities in Isan region have revealed that the main difficulties are lack of descendants who understand the use of indigenous knowledge carrying on traditions and rituals, lack of facilities used for carrying on traditions and rituals, lack of facilities used for servicing tourists and participants, lack of rest places and accommodation for participants and tourists, lack of learning centers of indigenous knowledge used for transmitting this knowledge to youths, children, and general people, and lack of key persons who transmit indigenous knowledge on traditions, rituals, and beliefs in sacred Buddha imaged to younger generation
Summary
For 500 years after the Buddha died, the first Buddha statues were built by people believing in his doctrine, they were influenced by artistic styles of Kreek and Roman. These statues were built for representing a symbol of the Buddha’s virtue so they were not portraits of him (The Fine Arts Department, 2002). Later on the region was occupied by the Thais, followers of Buddhism; Khun Luang Mao, who ruled over the Ailao Kingdom about two thousand years ago, was the first Thai Buddhist king and the professed upholder of the religion (Phramaha Somphong Santacitto, 2010). A period of celebration may be held for nine nights and nine days or over, it is a period of happiness of all people (Suwich Sathitwittayanan, 1991)
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