The Reflection on Historical Changes during the Reign of King Rama III to King Rama V : A Case Study of Arts of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

Abstract

The research on the reflection of historical changes during the reigns of King Rama III - King Rama V: A case study of arts of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara has three main objectives:
1) To study the historical changes during the reigns of King Rama III - King Rama V that are related to the development of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, 2) To study the effects of historical changes during the reigns of King Rama III - King Rama V that influenced on the arts of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, and  3) To understand the history and characteristics of the arts of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara by studying primary documents and secondary documents and analyzing the art works within Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara was established by Krommaphra Rajawang Bowonsathan Mongkol Maha Sakdiphonsep (Front Palace) during the reign of King Nang Klao (Rama III) of Rattanakosin. Artworks, both architecture and sculpture, were created during this first period. The characteristics of the Front Palace craftsmanship and the influence of Chinese art according to the royal style of King Rama III appeared in
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. Later, when Prince Mongkut was ordained as a monk in the name of Vajirayana Bhikkhu, King Rama III invited Vajirayana Bhikkhu to move from Wat Samorrai to reside as the first abbot at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. Vajirayana Bhikkhu founded the Dhamma Yutaka Nikaya sect, starting at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. Therefore, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara was created as a center for the propagation of Dhamma Yutaka sects. When he ascended the throne as King Mongkut, he built the Great Chedi after Krommaphra Rajawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon Maha Sakdiphonsep which had not yet completed. The Great Chedi is a round in the chedi Lankan style. It reflects the influence of Buddhist beliefs from Lanka. There are many designs and decorations surrounding the pagoda that shows the Western influence on the political situation occurring during the reign of King Rama IV. In the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it was an expansion of the educational results of Sangha Pattana from Wat Bowonniwet Vihara printing house founded by Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya, the first monastic college of Siam. During the reign of King Rama V, it was a time of awareness in creating the image of civilization under the pressure of Imperialism. As a result, there are many palace buildings built in magnificent Western architectural styles.