Art Essentials: Sukhothai Buddha Image

The Most Beautiful of All Time

Sukhothai Style Buddha@Wat Benchamabopit

Sukhothai Buddha image can be divided into three generations.

First period is influenced by the early influencers, such as Khmer, India, etc.

Middle, the golden era is the most developed.

The latter period is not created anything new.

They created Buddha images from stucco, metal casting, including gold.

Not carved from stone.

There are 4 main postures; standing, walking, seating and sleeping.

Most popular are the Subduing Mara posture and the Walking posture with human-like characteristics.

Sukhothai Buddha Image Characteristics

Sukhothai Buddha Face

Sukhothai Walking Buddha Hand

"He has oval face, arched eyebrows, hook-shaped nose, mouth with a little smile, proper proportion to the head, neck and shoulders, small knobby hair, flame-radius-on topknot, broad shoulders, slim waist, and bulging chest. Slender arms like ivory, fingers and toes look like human. The robe ends at the abdomen, it is the centipede fang shaped".

Golden age of art during the reign of Praya Li Thai, he researched the characteristic of the Buddha from various religious scriptures. Seek high skilled craft workers from everywhere. Consequence is the Sukhothai Buddha image that no one can do as perfect as the original creators.

The outstanding Buddha characteristics on the golden age are flame radius is large, the Unalom is U shaped between the eyebrows, long arms, and four fingers are of equal length except thumb and calm gesture than ever before.

Sukhothai deteriorate over time and the people evacuation to Ayutthaya in the reign of King Naresuan for fighting with Burma. So the antiques and ancient artifacts were neglected for a hundred years. Therefore, King Rama I, Chakri dynasty of Rattanakosin ordered to move the significant Buddha images and the artifacts to store in Bangkok.

Experience the beauty of the Sukhothai Buddha images from these temples.

Phra Buddha Shinarat...The most beautiful Buddha image in the country.

Viharn, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, Phitsanulok

Phra Buddha Chinasi
Ubosot, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Bangkok

Phra Sri Satsada
Viharn, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Bangkok

Phra Sri Sakyamuni
Ubosot, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

See Sukhothai Buddha Images Photo Gallery by clicking on the photo .